John 21:15 “When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of…”

John 21:15

When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

American Standard Version

So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, 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.

Geneva Bible 1599

So when they had dined, Iesus said to Simon Peter, Simon the sonne of Iona, louest thou me more then these? He said vnto him, Yea Lord, thou knowest that I loue thee. He said vnto him, Feede my lambes.

Darby Translation

When therefore they had dined, Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. He says to him, Feed my lambs.

Young's Literal Translation

When, therefore, they dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, 'Simon, [son] of Jonas, dost thou love me more than these?' he saith to him, 'Yes, Lord; thou hast known that I dearly love thee;' he saith to him, 'Feed my lambs.'

Bible in Basic English

Then when they had taken food, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, is your love for me greater than the love of these others? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you are certain of my love for you. He said to him, Then give my lambs food.

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Cross references

“son”

John 21:16 John 21:17 John 1:42

John 21:16 · BSB

Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

John 21:17 · BSB

Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to…

John 1:42 · BSB

Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter).

“Jona”

Matthew 16:17

Matthew 16:17 · BSB

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.

“Bar-jona”

1 John 4:19 1 Peter 1:8 Ephesians 6:24 John 14:15–24 John 16:27 1 John 5:1

1 John 4:19 · BSB

We love because He first loved us.

1 Peter 1:8 · BSB

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

Ephesians 6:24 · BSB

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

John 14:15–24 · BSB

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

John 16:27 · BSB

For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God.

1 John 5:1 · BSB

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him.

“more”

John 21:7 Mark 14:29 Matthew 26:33 Matthew 26:35

John 21:7 · BSB

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it) and jumped into the sea.

Mark 14:29 · BSB

Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I never will.”

Matthew 26:33 · BSB

Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.”

Matthew 26:35 · BSB

Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.

“thou knowest”

Hebrews 4:13 Revelation 2:23 2 Samuel 7:20 2 Kings 20:3

Hebrews 4:13 · BSB

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Revelation 2:23 · BSB

Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

2 Samuel 7:20 · BSB

What more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, O Lord GOD.

2 Kings 20:3 · BSB

“Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

“Feed”

1 Peter 5:1–4 Jeremiah 3:15 Ezekiel 34:23 Acts 20:28 Jeremiah 23:4 1 Peter 2:25

1 Peter 5:1–4 · BSB

As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:

Jeremiah 3:15 · BSB

Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

Ezekiel 34:23 · BSB

I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.

Acts 20:28 · BSB

Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

Jeremiah 23:4 · BSB

I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any go missing, declares the LORD.

1 Peter 2:25 · BSB

For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

“lambs”

Isaiah 40:11 Romans 15:1 Luke 22:32 Romans 14:1 Matthew 18:10 1 Corinthians 3:1–3

Isaiah 40:11 · BSB

He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.

Romans 15:1 · BSB

We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

Luke 22:32 · BSB

But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Romans 14:1 · BSB

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.

Matthew 18:10 · BSB

See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.

1 Corinthians 3:1–3 · BSB

Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ.

Also

John 21:12 Luke 12:32 John 13:37

John 21:12 · BSB

“Come, have breakfast,” Jesus said to them. None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Lord.

Luke 12:32 · BSB

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.

John 13:37 · BSB

“Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

14This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.

16Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

Read John 21