I’ve written elsewhere concerning Peter’s denial of Jesus, but today I want to focus specifically on a conversation between Jesus and Peter following Christ’s resurrection.
Let’s look at this passage from John 21 (my emphasis added):
John 21:15-19: “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “You know that I love You.”
Jesus said, “Feed My lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.”
Jesus said, “Take care of My sheep.”
17 The third time He said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said, “Feed My sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then He said to him, “Follow Me!”
This is one of the many passages that loses much of its message in English. Let’s look at a few key phrases in the original Greek.
You might have noticed that the phrase “love Me” (or “love You”) occurs seven times in this passage. Understanding what is meant by those phrases is critical to rightly understand this passage.
“Agapaō” and “Phileō“
There’s a really helpful website that I often use to better understand passages, Blue Letter Bible. Let’s look at the Greek word “love” used in these passages. (If you want to look at the Greek as well, you can follow this link for John 21, and then click on each verse to get a word-by-word explanation of the Greek.)
The first two times Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him, Jesus uses the word “ἀγαπάω” or “agapaō“. This word is a conjugation of the word “agape“, which is the word used for the love of God. It is a selfless and perfect love.
Peter responds by telling Jesus, “You know that I love You.” The Greek word that Peter uses is the Greek word “φιλέω” or “phileō“. This is a conjugation of the Greek word “philos” which means a friendly or brotherly love.
What is hidden in English becomes apparent in Greek
Do you see what is happening? Jesus is asking Peter if Peter loves Him with a perfect and selfless love, and Peter responds by telling Jesus that he loves Him like a brother or a friend.
Jesus is asking Peter if Peter’s love for Him is perfect, and Peter is responding that it isn’t. Peter is acknowledging that his love for Jesus isn’t a divine love, but it is a sincere love.
Then, in verse 17, Jesus changes His question. He askes Peter if Peter loves Him with “phileō” love, and Peter responds by saying, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love (phileō) You.”
Do you see it? Jesus has asked Peter twice already if Peter loves Him with a perfect love, and twice Peter has responded that he loves Jesus with a sincere, human love. The third time, Jesus askes Peter if he loves Him with a human love, and Peter is hurt and responds “You know I love You with an imperfect, human love.”
Remarkably, at the conclusion of this conversation, Jesus restores Peter as a disciple. Jesus says to Peter the words that a Jewish rabbi would use to invite someone to be his disciple: “Follow me.”
…What?
What are the implications of Jesus’ statement and questions? We might expect, after clarifying the lack of selfless love that Peter has, Jesus would kick him to the curb. But Jesus does the exact opposite. After establishing that Peter betrayed Him, and that even after His resurrection Peter still can’t find it within himself to have a perfect love towards his Lord, Jesus welcomes Peter back into relationship, service, and ministry.
The Cost of Discipleship for Peter
I don’t want to gloss over verses 18 and 19. Prior to reinstating Peter as a disciple, Jesus warns Peter that being His disciple will result in his death.
And we see that Peter after this conversation has a very different resolve towards suffering for Christ. (See, for examples, Acts 5:17-42.)
Peter’s wildly different courage from denying Jesus to boldness in the face of persecution is remarkable. I think the reason for this is twofold: First, Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit after Pentecost, and also, Peter has seen the resurrected Christ. Peter knows that Jesus has a power over even death, so the threat of death is no longer intimidating.
With this in mind, I think to rightly understand this passage, you do need to consider that Jesus is emphasizing to Peter the need to die to himself; Jesus is making it clear that discipleship to Jesus will lead to his violent martyrdom.
And yet, Peter doesn’t seem to mind that command being issued at his reinstatement; he was serving the Risen Christ. (See 1 Peter 1:3: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”).
The cost of discipleship for Peter wasn’t more important than being in right relationship with the Risen Jesus Christ. Jesus wasn’t demanding perfection from Peter, He acknowledged that Peter couldn’t get there. But Jesus did demand that Peter gave Him allegiance, and would “Follow (Jesus)”.
Conclusion
In English, John 21:15-19 seems quite strange. It really seems like Jesus is just giving Peter a hard time; like He’s trying to make Peter feel as guilty as possible.
But the conversation that Peter and Jesus had was quite different. Jesus met with Peter and helped him see that his love for Jesus was maybe not as selfless as the former Peter, the Peter who swore he’d never abandon Jesus, might’ve thought. And then Jesus told Peter that Peter’s imperfect love for Jesus was sufficient to continue in discipleship, to continue to “Follow [Him]”.
Reflection
In this passage, I think Jesus was being kind to Peter, by helping Peter understand just how much more room he had to grow in his love for God.
How about you? Where are areas that you can see your love for God falling short of His standard for love?
As you think through those areas, how does that make you feel?
If you feel a sense of shame or condemnation, I’d encourage you to ask God if that matches up with how He feels about you.
I think He’s suggesting to you, and to me, that our imperfect love for Him is still love for Him, and He’s inviting us to continue to follow Him.
Feel free to share any thoughts below. Grace be with you.
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