Continuing Simon Peter's fall and restoration: Jn 21:15-19

We continue our look at Jesus' prediction of Simon Peter's denials and then Jesus' restoration of Simon Peter after our Lord's Resurrection.

The initial overview of both passages can be found HERE.  

And the in-depth look at Lk 22:31-34 can be found HERE.  


You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)

John 21:15-19 (NASB)
¹⁵ So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Tend My lambs."
¹⁶ He *said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Shepherd My sheep."
¹⁷ He *said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus *said to him, "Tend My sheep.
¹⁸ "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go."
¹⁹ Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He *said to him, "Follow Me!"

(and although we won't look at them in-depth I think the following verses are also important!)

John 21:20-22 (NASB)
²⁰ Peter, turning around, *saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
²¹ So Peter seeing him *said to Jesus, "Lord, and what about this man?"
²² Jesus *said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!"

(Peter, as always, remains somewhat impetuous!  But Jesus emphatically directs Simon Peter (and us) to put our focus on Jesus and to follow Him!)

 

Grammatical and other Considerations

• Tend Lambs, Shepherd Sheep and Tend Sheep!  (The NKJV uses:  Feed Lambs, Tend Sheep, Feed Sheep)  There seems to be some significance to Jesus' word choice here! 
• Peter is obviously grieved by this embarrassing and convicting moment.  (wouldn't any of us be!??) 
• Peter is almost pleading when he states:  "You know all things; You know that I love You."
• It is amazing that Jesus knows how to best confront each of us with our sins so as to truly convict us AND turn us back again!
• Once again Jesus foretells the future for Simon Peter.  (this time Simon's type of death)
• John 22:19 "Follow Me!"  A command!

My Questions

• Why does Jesus use the words lamb, sheep, tend and shepherd in the way that he does??

Verse Cross References

• John 21:15 -- Gal 5:16 2Co 5:15  Eph 6:24 1Jn 5:1 1John 4:19  Eze 34:2-10 Eze 34:23 Ac 20:28 1Ti 4:16 Heb 13:20 1Pe 2:25 Isa 40:11 Mt 18:10 Rom 15:1 
• It seems that Eze 34:2-10 is particularly relevant!  Jesus is the NEW shepherd in charge of God's flock!  (Israel, and now including all of us)  The people who were shepherding the flock were careless and that duty has been taken away from them.  It is now Jesus' charge and He gives Simon Peter the task of tending to the flock on earth.  And the image of sheep and lambs (particulary lambs) does give us the image of something weak and needing guidance.  Simon Peter was told he would made to strengthen his brothers in Luke 22:32 and now that is exactly what Jesus is charging Simon Peter to do!  It is interesting that Jesus and Simon Peter use different words translated into our word love.  Until the last exchange!  We will examine this a little later.
• John 21:16 -- Rev 12:11 Lk 10:27 Mt 7:15 Jn 10:11-16  Mt 2:6 Rev 7:17 Jn 10:26-27 Ps 95:7-8 Ps 100:3 Lk 15:3-7 Lk 19:10 1Pe 2:25 
• Thoughts -- It is interesting that Jesus is also referred to as the lamb of God!  The innocent sacrifice for our atonement!!  (always humbling and overwhelming when I think about it!)  Jesus is both shepherd and the lamb!
• John 21:17 -- Lk 22:61 Jer 17:10 Ac 1:24 Ac 15:8 Job 31:4-6 Ps 7:8 Ps 17:3 1Jn 3:16-24 
• Thoughts -- Again it is interesting to note that Simon denied Jesus three times in the courtyard and Jesus asked Simon THREE times if he, Simon, loved Jesus!
• John 21:18 -- John 13:36 Ac 12:3 
• John 21:19 -- 2Pe 1:14 Jn 8:12 Jn 10:27 Mt 16:24  Jn 21:22 1Pe 4:11-14 Jn 12:26 Mt 10:38 Mt 19:28 Mk 8:33-38 Lk 9:22-26 
• Thoughts -- This verse must always be looked at in conjunction with Jn 21:20-22 Our job, desire and focus are to follow Jesus, where He leads us!  Period!  Jesus makes much mention of just how imperative it is that we hear Him, believe on and in Him and follow Him! 

Important terms

tend:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- 1Sa 17:15 Isa 40:11 Jer 23:4 Mt 8:30 Mt 8:33 Mk 5:11 Mk 5:14 Lk 5:15 
• Thoughts -- Always used in the context of sheep (seems to indicate feeding)
• Definition -- to feed sheep or to tend (watch them) while they graze.  Metaphorically means to instruct

lamb:

• Thoughts -- often used to signify Christ as the pure and unblemished sacrifice for OUR sins.  However in this occasion it is in reference to a young sheep, metaphorically referring to young (new) converts to Christianity!
• Definition -- Lamb. Young or baby sheep. This is the only occasion in the New Testament where it is used in the plural. (as a symbolic reference to young converts)

shepherd:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Ac 20:28 1Pe 5:2 
• Definition -- Differs from the word tend (feed) above in that to Shepherd a flock means to provide TOTAL care for that flock!

sheep:

• Thoughts -- It seems that Jesus is telling Peter to nurture the young (new) Christians but that Peter must also assume TOTAL care of the entire flock, young and old.  Peter cannot abandon them once they are adults.  To be in Jesus' flock requires constant attention and diligence on our parts and on the parts of those put in positions of leadership.  Lambs will grow older with early feeding but they still need to be led when they are adults!  They still need shepherding!!
• Definition -- An adult lamb!  Also a term of endearment!  Sheep are also mild, inoffensive, patient and obedient!  (What Jesus wants US to be!!)  WOW!  God's Word is awesome!!

know (G1492):

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 6:8 Mt 6:32 Mt 7:11 Mt 15:12   
• Definition -- Suggest knowledge, suggests fullness of knowledge and/or to know by perception

know (G1097):

• Thoughts -- Question!  When Peter uses this form of the word is he suggesting that Jesus knows all things because He, (Jesus) has acquired this knowledge from the Father in Heaven?  Just curious as to why the change of words here...
• Definition -- usually suggests an acquired knowledge?!?

Special section on the two different words translated to love

love (G25)-Jesus' term:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mat 5:43-44 Mt 5:46 Mt 22:39 Mk 10:21 Mk 12:30-33 Lk 7:47 Jn 3:19 Jn 3:35 Jn 8:42 Jn 11:5 Jn 14:15 Jn 14:21 1Co 8:3 Gal 2:20 Gal 5:14 Eph 5:25 Heb 12:6 James 1:12 James 2:5 1Pe 1:8 1Pe 1:22 1Jn 4:11 1Jn 4:19 
• Thoughts -- Used more frequently than G5368 below AND is used the most by John in his Gospel and in his first letter.  Important?  Don't know yet!
• Definition -- to esteem, love, indicating a direction of the will and finding one's joy in something or someone.  Used often to describe man's love towards God.  (G5368 is rarely used in that instance) As Vine's puts is:  "An unselfish love, ready to serve."

love (G5368)-Peter's answers and Jesus' term in His last question to Simon Peter:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 6:5 Mt 10:37 Mt 23:6 Translated as kiss in: Mk 14:44 (now back to translated as love):  Lk 20:46 Jn 5:20 Jn 12:25  Jn 11:3
• Thoughts -- Used less than G25. A lot less!  But still used most by John in his Gospel.
• Definition -- love!  A deep friendship meaning to have the same interests!  (this concept runs deep when Jesus asks Peter!!)  Vine's:  conveys the thought of cherishing the loved object or person above all else.

Factual information from Study Helps

AMG Complete Word Study Dictionary:

• Concerning the two different words meaning love discussed above, the AMG Dictionary goes on to state that Jesus changed words deliberately!  He was asking Simon Peter (the third time) if he, Simon, had indeed changed so that his interests were now the same (truly the same) as the interests of Jesus Christ!  Simon had denied knowing Jesus three times, that is not having the same interests!   The AMG dictionary also tells us that even though we are instructed love our enemies ( Mat 5:44 ) it is not the word phileo that is used (G5368) since that would mean deep friendship, sharing of interests.  We are to love them as in the word agapao ( G25 ) which indicates a moral love, compassion. 

Bible Background Commentary:

• Does not differentiate as much in the two word choices for love but does indicate that some people do when interpreting this section of scripture.

Answering My Questions

• Why does Jesus use the words lamb, sheep, tend and shepherd in the way that he does??  -- It seems that Jesus is telling Peter to nurture the young (new) Christians but that Peter must also assume TOTAL care of the entire flock, young and old. Peter cannot abandon them once they are adults. To be in Jesus' flock requires constant attention and diligence on our parts and on the parts of those put in positions of leadership. Lambs will grow older with early feeding but they still need to be led when they are adults! They still need shepherding!! A sheep is an adult lamb! Also a term of endearment! Sheep are also mild, inoffensive, patient and obedient! (What Jesus wants US to be!!) WOW! God's Word is awesome!!

Commentaries

AMG Concise Bible Commentary:

• Points out that Jesus' very public  questioning of Simon Peter not only helped to humble Peter but also let ALL THE OTHER Apostles know that Jesus had forgiven Simon Peter.

Summarizing

• Jesus puts Simon Peter through a little bit of an ordeal here.  Peter does become grieved that Jesus asks him three times if he truly loves Jesus!  But there is so much in Jesus words here.  1)  New Christians need tender care and feeding.  2)  Older and wiser Christians still need to be led and care for!  3)  Loving Jesus and being His intimate friend are two different things, yet connected.  4)  We should strive for the intimate friendship of "phileo".  We should strive and WANT to share the same interests as Jesus does!
• I feel like I am JUST touching the surface of this very important and moving section of Scripture!

Topics for further study

• Love for Christ
• How do we describe our love for Jesus
• In what way does Jesus want/expect us to love Him?
• Christians as sheep.
• Christian leaders as tending to the flock

Biblical Principles

• Given the original context, what does the text mean? -- Jesus has just asked Peter to reaffirm his love for the Lord.  Three times!  The same amount of times Peter denied knowing Jesus.  Even more importantly, Jesus has turned Peter back towards Himself so that now Simon Peter can tend to the flock. (the Church)
• What fundamental universal truths are presented in this passage. State that truth in a simple sentence or two.   -- Young believers need feeding.  Mature believers still need to be led and cared for.  If we learn anything from Peter's sin and return it is that ANY of us are able to fall prey to temptation!  Any of us!
• What issues in our own culture and my own situations does this truth address? -- Temptations abound in our culture!!  And I know that I myself fall prey to temptations.  To paraphrase Paul, I don't really want to and yet I am weak.  I need to turn to Jesus at all times. 
• What changes does it require? -- Extreme diligence in prayer, time with God's Word and meditation on that word!  And faith!
• What values does it reinforce? -- That Jesus loves us even when we sin!  He does not want to lose even one of us....!
• What difference does it make?  --  If Jesus could forgive and restore a man who denied Him, a man who was one of His closest friends on earth, well....it shows Jesus' amazing capacity for love and forgiveness.  A capacity so large, it is beyond most of our grasps!  It means Jesus loves me (us)!  And that makes ALL the difference.

Application

• Is there an example to follow? -- Yeah?  Simon Peter's ability to take his medicine!!  And Jesus' ability to forgive!!
• Is there a sin to avoid? -- Arrogance, apathy.
• Is there a challenge to face? -- Yes!  To truly remember and utilize/apply the lessons learned in these sections of Scripture!!

Application Summary (for both sections of Scripture)

• When taken as a whole, Lk 22:31-34  and John 21:15-19  are an amazing lesson.  Any of us can fall prey to sin!  The devil will try.  He does not want any of us to taste the victory of salvation.  Fortunately for us, Jesus DOES want us to be saved.  He wants us to be in His flock.  So much so that Jesus, the Son of God, will pray for us!  Think about that!  He prayed for Peter, so that Peter's faith would withstand the upcoming trials.  As the saying goes, with Jesus on our side how can we lose?  But here is where application comes in!  We HAVE to pray to Jesus!  We have to keep our heads turned to Him.  EVEN WHEN WE MESS UP!  Simon Peter was ashamed at what he had done but he so loved the Lord that he jumped from the boat to swim to shore.  That should be us:  We should pray that we can withstand temptation and avoid temptation!  But if we should succumb to temptation we should not hesitate or dawdle, we should jump back towards Jesus as fast as we can.  He is there on the shore waiting for us!

Bibliography

• Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Fleming, Don. Concise Bible Commentary. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word Application Index. Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• The Holy Bible: New King James Version Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1988. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Pfeiffer, Charles F. and Everett F. Harrison, ed. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Vine, William E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1940. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Zodhiates, Spiros, ed. – The Complete Word Study New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1991. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Zodhiates, Spiros, ed. – The Complete Word Study New Testament Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1991. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.

Bible Study Lk 22:31-34

We continue our look at Lk 22:31-34 and Jn 21:15-19

I had originally planned to post the in-depth look at both sections in one post.  After further thought I thought it best to separate them.  So today's post will be the in-depth look at Lk 22:31-34 AND the applications of this section of Scripture. 

The initial overview of both passages can be found HERE.  

You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)

Luke 22:31-34 (NASB)
³¹ "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat;
³² but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."
³³ But he said to Him, "Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!"
³⁴ And He said, "I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me."

Grammatical and other Considerations

• The word but in Lk 22:31-32  is a connecting word letting us know that even though something happened (in this case Simon Peter's denial will happen soon!) it is not permenant or set in stone because Jesus had already intervened.  He prayed for Simon!
• The subtle but important difference that Jesus lets us in on is that even though Simon Peter will deny the Lord, it is not the same as faith failing!    Fail!  That is a key word here.  Wavering and faltering (even as badly as Simon Peter did or as I have in the past) is not the same as FAILING!   Jesus prays so that Simon Peter's faith will not FAIL!   I truly and sincerely pray that Jesus will never let my (or any of ours) faith fail!
• Once:  Jesus states categorically that Simon will once again turn to Jesus!
• It is interesting that Simon Peter fell silent after Jesus rebuked Simon's boast of never falling away!!

My Questions

• This does bring up the difference between failed faith and faith that has faltered.  Peter denied Jesus and yet Jesus was not ready to call that failed faith!  Jesus does let us know that Peter was about to turn away from the Lord, but that He had also still prayed for Simon Peter, as Simon Peter's upcoming denials were not yet a failed faith....???  This is a tough question to word correctly.  What constitutes a failure of faith in Jesus' eyes?  Is that even a question for me to ask??  

Verse Cross References

• Luke 22:31 -- Mt 4:10 Am 9:9 Job 1:6-12 Job 2:1-6 Zec 3:1-5 1Pe 5:8 Rev 12:10 Rom 16:20 James 1:13-17 
• Thoughts --  The references to Job are obvious.  But it is comforting to know that Jesus is in control.  Satan cannot attack us without permission.  And Jesus intercedes for PEter by praying for Peter as we shall see in the next verse.  This is a fairly intense concept to wrap our heads around!  It is also important to note that God does not tempt us!! James 1:13-17 
• Luke 22:32 -- Jn 17:9-21 Ro 8:34 Jn 21:15-17 (which we will look at in just a little while) Php 1:6 1Th 5:24 2Ti 2:13 !!!  Zec 3:1-5 Jn 14:19 Rom 5:9-10 Rom 8:32-34 Heb 7:25 !!  1Pe 1:4-5 1Jn 2:1-2 (an important verse!) Heb 12:15 Mt 18:3 Lk 22:61 Ac 3:19 Ps 32:3-6   All of Psalm 51       1Ti 1:13-16 Heb 12:12-13 1Pe 5:8-10 2Pe 1:10-12 2Pe 3:14-18 
• Thoughts -- There is a lot here!  Lk 22:32 (which completes Lk 22:31 ) tells us a lot about Jesus and how much He cares about us and just how much we need Him!!  Heb 7:25 shows that Jesus is always ready to intercede for those who believe in and love Him!  This is not a past tense, one time thing!  Jesus will intercede for us.  We must repent!  We must believe that He died for our sins, rose again on the third day and can now present us as clean before the Father!  ( zec 3:1-5 )  Even 1Jn 2:1 states that we are to strive to not sin BUT if someone (someone who has given themselves to Jesus Christ) does sin, Jesus is there to be their (OUR) advocate!!  Luke 22:32 is an amazing verse!!
• Luke 22:33-34 -- Pr 8:26 Jer 10:23-24 Mt 26:33-35 Mt 26:40-41 Mk 14:29-31 Jn 13:36-39 
• Thoughts -- Peter's boast and Jesus' foretelling of Peter's denial are in all four Gospels!   All authors (even with different intents) deemed this incident important enough to include!  Why is that?  I think it is because it shows just how deep Jesus' love for us truly is!  One of Jesus' closest friends on earth was about to deny knowing Him!  At Jesus' most crucial and loneliest moment in His time on earth.  (and it is important to remember that Jesus felt our emotions...that is why He alone is perfect!  He lived with our human imperfections and still managed not to sin!  This makes His sacrifice pleasing before God!)  So Jesus had to have felt betrayed and lonely and hurt because of Peter's denial!  AND YET:  Jesus still interceded so that Simon Peter's faith would not fail and Simon would then turn back again.  And even when we! (I!) turn away for a moment and sin, Jesus will still intercede for us! (me!) and pray for us!  (Me!)..... 1Jn 2:1-2     Truly amazing.  I don't have words to adaquetly  describe how safe, loved and humbled this realization makes me feel!

Important terms

demanded:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- This Greek word is only used ONCE in the New Testament!  Some translations use the word asked, and the King James Version uses the English word desired. 
• Definition -- to ask require or demand.  To claim back!!  That is interesting.  In this context, Satan is asking God to have Peter BACK! ??  This seems right.  Because we are IN SIN until we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord.  And once we do that, we are no longer slaves to sin and we belong to God!  We are now in a covenent with Him as we have accepted His amazing gift of grace and salvation.

sift like wheat:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Once again it is a Greek word that is only used once in the New Testament!! 
• Definition -- To shake as grain in sieve.  Figuratively:  to agitate and prove by trials and afflictions)  (which is what Satan tried to do (actually did with God's permission) to Job as well!!  Interesting.  And we can see from the context that Jesus (God) is allowing Simon Peter to be sifted! (even Jesus had to live through being tempted!  He resisted tempation! Mat 4:1-11 And then once Jesus had resisted temptation, He began His ministry!! ) To be tried through trials!  BUT, and here is the thing that is sometimes hard to wrap our heads around,  Jesus DID pray and did intercede on Simon Peter's behalf so that THROUGH THE TRIALS (the sifting) SIMON PETER'S FAITH WOULD NOT FAIL!!  I still don't quite have the words to express these thoughts clearly as I would like!  But that is the basis of it.  The trials were allowed!  BUt Jesus interceded for Simon's faith to NOT fail so that Simon Peter COULD be returned to Jesus!

faith:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 9:2 Mt 9:22 Mt 9:29 Mt 15:28 Mt 17:19-21 Mk 2:5 Mk 4:40 Mk 5:34 Lk 17:5-6 2Co 13:5 Col 1:23 1Ti 4:1 1Ti 6:10 
• Thoughts -- There are obviously many references in the New Testament where Jesus refers to the power, and need for  faith!  But as we have seen, faith can be fragile.  It is prescious!!  We must gaurd it!  We must ask for Jesus to intercede for us!  For the stronger our faith becomes the more the enemy will try to turn us and tempt us.  We must pray to and trust in Jesus for the strength of our faith!
• Definition -- conviction, belief in the truth.

fail:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Nu 15:22 Dt 31:6 2Co 13:6 
• Thoughts -- A word that is not used often in the New Testament.
• Definition -- to fail or relinquish or to desert.

turned:

• Definition -- in a moral sense:  to turn back again, to cause to return from error.

strengthen:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Dt 3:28 Jdg 16:28 1Ch 29:12 Ps 89:21 Ps 119:28 Isa 35:3 Isa 41:10 Na 2:1 Zec 10:12 1Th 3:2 2Th 3:3 Heb 12:12 1Pe 5:10 Jas 5:8 
• Thoughts -- All strength comes from the Lord!  Even when God uses others to give us strength, it still comes from God, Himself!
• Definition -- this word can mean strengthen, to make steadfast, to establish etc. etc.   In this context it could mean establish as Jesus had previously told Simon Peter that he would be the rock upon which Jesus would build His church. mat 16:17-18

Propitiation (not in these verse but I want to know it.. from 1Jn 2:2):

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Rom 3:25 Heb 2:17 1Jn 4:10 
• Definition -- The word propitiate means to please or calm someone who is angry or annoyed with you.  In this case that is referring to God's anger at our sins.  Jesus offered Himself through His sacrifice as the propitiation for our sins!  He is the one who can please God and therefore assuage God's (righteous) anger.  By accepting Jesus' gift of His blood sacrifice and His resurrection we are then accepted by God the Father!

Factual Information from Study Helps

Bible Background Commentary:

• Reminds us that in those days wheat would be sifted to separate the GENUINE wheat from anything else that didn't belong but had somehow gotten mixed into it!

Answering My Questions

• This does bring up the difference between failed faith and faith that has faltered. Peter denied Jesus and yet Jesus was not ready to call that failed faith! Jesus does let us know that Peter was about to turn away from the Lord, but that He still prayed for Simon Peter, as Simon PEter's denials were not yet a failed faith....??? This is a tough question to word correctly. What constitutes a failure of faith in Jesus' eyes? Is that even a question for me to ask?? -- In some ways it is NOT a question for me to ask.  Jesus knows who has faith and who doesn't!  Jesus knew Simon PEter Loved Him as Simon was the first one to profess that Jesus is the Christ! Mat 16:16-17   We should pray for faith, through our faith in Jesus.  We should pray for the strength to not falter or turn momentarily away from God.  And if we give in to our basest self, (which is really us ignoring God's help!),  we should pray for the strength and faith to return to Jesus and ask for forgiveness!  That is our concern.  But I think it can be seen fairly clearly from these verses that a sin is not a FAILURE of faith.  It is a VERY serious, but momentary turning away from God and what we know.  It is definitely displeasing to GOd!  BUT it does not neccesarily constitute a FAILURE of faith!  If it did, Jesus would never have prayed for Simon Peter's strength to NOT fail AFTER Simon PEter's sin.  Jesus prayed for Simon Peter's faith to not fail so that Simon Peter could turn back again from his sin!  Jesus' actions and words answer my question.  But the heart of the matter is that Jesus knows our hearts!  So He knows our faith, and our innermost beings, so that He can see past our failures and successes!  Very important stuff!

Commentaries

Wycliffe Bible Commentary:

• States that the YOU in Lk 22:31 is a PLURAL pronoun!  This indicates that the devil had asked to sift (tempt) ALL the apostles but Jesus was speaking to Peter as a representative.  And then in Lk 22:32 Jesus uses the singular pronoun meaning that He was speaking to Peter and only Peter (whom Jesus prayed for!)  So (as the Wycliffe Commentary states it) jesus would NOT relinquish Simon Peter! 

Topics for further study

• failed faith
• returning to faith
• seeking our strength in the Lord
• receiving our strength from the Lord

Biblical Principles

• Given the original context, what does the text mean? -- This passage takes place directly after a debate that the Apostles were having over who would be the greatest of them ( Lk 22:24-30 ).  Jesus makes the point that He is among them as a servent, (  Lk 22:27  ),  and He is God!  Why should they debate who is greatest among them?  Even Simon Peter, the one who Jesus stated He would build His church upon, is going to have a moment(s) of sin!  And as Jesus tells (warns) Simon Peter of his upcoming denials, He also plainly tells Simon that he, Simon, will be called to serve!
• What fundamental universal truths are presented in this passage. State that truth in a simple sentence or two. -- We are all prone to sin!  We can all be forgiven through Christ.  And we should strive to serve as Jesus wants us to serve.  ( Jn 21:21-22 )
• What are the implications when applied to my life and the world around me? -- I should avoid arrogance and always be aware that the enemy is trying to get me to sin! I should double, triple my focus on Jesus and pray for strength and faith!
• What changes does it require? -- A change to even greater amounts of good time in God's Word.  More and more focused prayer!  An attitude of serventitude
• What values does it reinforce? -- A life of service to others and most importantly to God.  This passage also reinforces the fact that we will all be tempted from time to time BUT Jesus is on our side!  All we need to do is ask Him for help when we feel tempted.
• What difference does it make? -- Again, and as always, all the difference!  We need to avoid giving in to temptation!  We need to know and understand that Jesus is there for us and ready to come to our aid in those situations!!

Application

• Is there an example to follow? -- YES!  The example that Jesus set!  He did not give in to temptation.  He battled temptation through prayer and God's Word.  And Jesus, who is God!, had a complete attitude of service. 
• Is there a sin to avoid? -- YES!  Arrogance and ignorance!  Simon Peter suffers from both of them in this passage!
• Is there a promise to claim? -- Hmm.  It seems so, as it seems Jesus is implicating that He will pray for us and help us.  He does not want us to give in to temptation!  
• Is there an error to mark? -- Yes!  The arrogance and ignorance of Simon Peter.  (something I know I suffer from!)
• Is there a challenge to face? --Yes!  See above!  Temptation is a constant struggle.  Only by giving up our problems to Jesus and through prayer can we overcome temptation.

Application Summary

• I need to KNOW and UNDERSTAND that I can not battle temptation on my own!  I need Jesus!  I can only be forgiven through Jesus Christ and His Sacrifice and Resurrection. (this ties in with the companion study of Jn 21:15-17 )  And I can only overcome and rise above temptation through Jesus' intercessions as well!!
• Mat 4:1-11 1 Co 10:13 James 1:12-25 James 4:7 Jude 24 2Pe 2:9 
• 1Co 6:19-20  Scripture that I need to memorize!
• I must constantly pray to Jesus to please not relinquish me!!

Bibliography

• Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Fleming, Don. Concise Bible Commentary. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word Application Index. Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• The Holy Bible: New King James Version Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1988. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Pfeiffer, Charles F. and Everett F. Harrison, ed. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Vine, William E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1940. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Zodhiates, Spiros, ed. – The Complete Word Study New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1991. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Zodhiates, Spiros, ed. – The Complete Word Study New Testament Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1991. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 

We will conclude this brief study in our next post with an in-depth look at Jn 21:15-19

A New Study: Lk 22:31-34 and Jn 21:15-19

We begin a new study today!  We are going to look at two related sections of Scripture:    This study will look at Luke 22:31-34 and John 21:15-19

The first section deals with Jesus' prediction of Simon Peter's denial in the courtyard while the second second section deals with Simon Peter's "restoration."  There is of course a lot to learn here regarding sin and forgiveness and temptation!  I found these studies to be very enlightening.

You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)

We will begin with an observational overview of Luke 22:31-34 

Luke 22:31-34 (NASB)
³¹ "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat;
³² but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."
³³ But he said to Him, "Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!"
³⁴ And He said, "I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me."

Author: Luke

Date written: Most likely before A.D. 70

Purpose of the Gospel of Luke: To give a very connected and orderly narrative of the life of Jesus Christ

Intended audience of the Gospel of Luke:   Most likely written to help Gentiles come to Christ

Main characters of this section of Scripture:  Jesus Christ, Simon Peter and the other apostles

Things emphasized:

• That Satan NEEDED permission to tempt Simon Peter
• Jesus prayed for Simon!  Jesus intervened for Simon
• Notice that Jesus makes a difference of a failure of faith and turning away (committing a sin etc.)
• The boldness of Peter's claim of allegiance.
• Peter is to strengthen his brothers after his own fall and return!

Terms of Conclusion:

• Jesus states categorically that Simon Peter will turn back again!

Expressions of Time:

• The time between then and the time when the rooster crows.
• The as yet unknown time when Peter will turn back to Jesus!

Textual Context:

• This exchange occurs immediately following a debate between the apostles over who would be the "greatest" amongst them.  This is part of Jesus' response to that debate.
• In John 21:15-19 Jesus Himself returns Simon Peter to Jesus!  (just as God brought the Israelites to Himself!   Ex 19:4  )

Now and Observational Overview of Jn 21:15-19

John 21:15-19 (NASB)
¹⁵ So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Tend My lambs."
¹⁶ He *said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Shepherd My sheep."
¹⁷ He *said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus *said to him, "Tend My sheep.
¹⁸ "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go."
¹⁹ Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He *said to him, "Follow Me!"

Author of the Gospel of John: John

Date written: Probably late in the first century

Purpose of the Gospel of John: To inspire faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God!

Intended audience of the Gospel of John: Seekers AND believers

Important places: These verse take place at the Sea of Galilee Or Tiberias?

Main characters:   Jesus Christ, Simon Peter

Recurring themes:  An encounter with Jesus Christ demands a response.  One must choose!  (this is important for our current verses I think!)

Things emphasized:

• That Simon Peter is to tend, shepherd the flock (the Church!  Jesus told him to strengthen his brothers upon Simon's return to the Lord!  Luke 22:32 
• How truly remorseful Simon Peter is for his denial of Jesus in the courtyard!  The English word grieved is used to describe Simon Peter's emotions!
• Simon Peter will suffer later in life.
• And yet Jesus commands Simon Peter to follow Him!  (we are to all flow Jesus where He wants us to go!  John 21:21-22

Things repeated:

• Jesus asks Simon three times if he truly loves Him!
• Jesus states three times (although a bit differently each time) for Peter to take care of Jesus' flock!
• The command for Simon Peter to follow the Lord:  John 21:19 and John 21:22

Things related:

• The number of times Jesus asks Simon Peter if he loves Him, and Peter's three denials in the courtyard.
• Lambs and sheep
• Tend, and Shepherd!  (look at these words carefully!!)

Thing True to Life:

• John 21:22

Terms of conclusion:

• Although a time is not given, Jesus does tell Peter his fate.

Textual Context:

• The number of times that Simon Peter denied knowing Jesus Christ is identical to the number of times Jesus asks Simon Peter if he (Simon) loves Jesus.  Lk 22:31-34
• Jesus predicts Simon Peter's return!  Luke 22:31-34

Verses that are closely related and very important are:

John 21:20-22 (NASB)
²⁰ Peter, turning around, *saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
²¹ So Peter seeing him *said to Jesus, "Lord, and what about this man?"
²² Jesus *said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!"

Next time we will look in-depth at both of these sections of Scripture!

Bibliography

• Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Fleming, Don. Concise Bible Commentary. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Pfeiffer, Charles F. and Everett F. Harrison, ed. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.