King James Version

What Does John 21:17 Mean?

John 21:17 in the King James Version says “He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the th... — study this verse from John chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

John 21:17 · KJV


Context

15

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

18

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

19

This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The third question grieves Peter—perhaps because it exposes his past denials or because Jesus seems to doubt his love. Yet this third questioning completes Peter's restoration: three denials, three professions, three commissions. Peter's appeal to Christ's omniscience ('thou knowest all things') expresses humble dependence. The final command 'Feed my sheep' commissions Peter for his life's work, fulfilled in his leadership of the early church and writing of epistles.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Church tradition records Peter's martyrdom under Nero (c. 64-68 AD), crucified upside down as he deemed himself unworthy to die like His Lord. His life demonstrated the reality of his love for Christ expressed here.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's thorough restoration after failure demonstrate His grace and patience?
  2. In what ways can you 'feed Christ's sheep' in your sphere of influence?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 38 words
λέγει1 of 38

He saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτῷ2 of 38

unto him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὸ3 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τρίτον4 of 38

the third

G5154

third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly

Σίμων5 of 38

time Simon

G4613

simon (i.e., shimon), the name of nine israelites

Ἰωνᾶ,6 of 38

son of Jonas

G2495

jonas (i.e., jonah), the name of two israelites

φιλῶ7 of 38

I love

G5368

to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e., have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling;

με8 of 38

thou me

G3165

me

ἐλυπήθη9 of 38

was grieved

G3076

to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad

10 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πέτρος11 of 38

Peter

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

ὅτι12 of 38

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

εἶπεν13 of 38

he said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῷ14 of 38

unto him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὸ15 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τρίτον16 of 38

the third

G5154

third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly

φιλῶ17 of 38

I love

G5368

to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e., have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling;

με18 of 38

thou me

G3165

me

καὶ19 of 38

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπεν20 of 38

he said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῷ21 of 38

unto him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Κύριε22 of 38

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

σὺ23 of 38

thou

G4771

thou

πάντα24 of 38

all things

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

οἶδας25 of 38

knowest

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

σὺ26 of 38

thou

G4771

thou

γινώσκεις27 of 38

knowest

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

ὅτι28 of 38

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

φιλῶ29 of 38

I love

G5368

to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e., have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling;

σε30 of 38

thee

G4571

thee

λέγει31 of 38

He saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτῷ32 of 38

unto him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

33 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς34 of 38

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Βόσκε35 of 38

Feed

G1006

to pasture; by extension to, fodder; reflexively, to graze

τὰ36 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πρόβατά37 of 38

sheep

G4263

something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e., (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively)

μου38 of 38

my

G3450

of me


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 21:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 21:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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