JOHN CHAPTER 21
vv. 15-17
Though there are many interesting points to bring out in these 3 verses, I am going to focus on just a few right now. Let's look at how the word "love" is used. There are 2 different Greek words translated "love" in these verses. They are agapao and phileo. Agapao is the Greek word for passionate, sincere love-though not in the sexual connotation(those words are primarily eros and porneo which I will not be discussing at this time). Phileo denotes brotherly love. In the first 2 verses Jesus asks Peter if he loves(agapao) Him. Peter responds both times saying he loves(phileo) Him like a brother. This happens twice in verses 15, 16. Then, in verse 17, Jesus turns the tables on Peter. He asks him, "Peter, do you really love(phileo) me like a brother?" Peter responds that he does love(phileo) Jesus like a brother. But Peter was grieved, distressed, heavily sorrowful because Jesus changed his tone and used the different word. It wasn't just that Jesus asked him 3 times "do you love me?" This time , He used Peter's own term against him. Jesus seemed to be reminding Peter of what He fortold would happen in Mt. 26:34; Mk. 14:30; Lk. 22:34; Jn. 13:38; that Peter would deny Jesus 3 times before the rooster crowed. An instance which occurred in Mt. 26: 74,75; Mk. 14:68-72; Lk. 22:60,61; Jn. 18:27. Jesus was challenging Peter. Many people passionately loved(agapao) Jesus. He had saved and healed multitudes giving them reason to passionately love(agapao) Him. He wanted more than passionate love(agapao) from Peter. Passion(agapao) can be dissolved or denied as Peter proved. Jesus wanted from Peter that close unbreakable love(phileo) only brothers can have.
Another interesting point in these 3 verses is the use of 2 different Greek words for "feed." In verses 15, 17, it is the Greek word "bosko" which literally means to feed, give food to. In verse 16, it is the word "poimaino" which means not only give food to, but to do everything else required in taking care of someone or thing.
There are also 2 different words used for "sheep" and "lambs" In verse 15, the Greek word is "arnia" which means a lamb or young, baby sheep. They are new and need nourishment to grow. In verses 16,17, the word is "probaton" which is a mature(age wise) sheep. An adult lamb.
Summation and paraphrase: "Peter, if you love(phileo) me give new and young believers food of me that they may grow. Continue to guide, lead, and nourish them which are mature in the faith.
For another treatise on all of the Greek words for love, click here and scroll down to days 6-25 through 6-27.
Click here for e-sword.net
Click here for Biblesupport.com
Though there are many interesting points to bring out in these 3 verses, I am going to focus on just a few right now. Let's look at how the word "love" is used. There are 2 different Greek words translated "love" in these verses. They are agapao and phileo. Agapao is the Greek word for passionate, sincere love-though not in the sexual connotation(those words are primarily eros and porneo which I will not be discussing at this time). Phileo denotes brotherly love. In the first 2 verses Jesus asks Peter if he loves(agapao) Him. Peter responds both times saying he loves(phileo) Him like a brother. This happens twice in verses 15, 16. Then, in verse 17, Jesus turns the tables on Peter. He asks him, "Peter, do you really love(phileo) me like a brother?" Peter responds that he does love(phileo) Jesus like a brother. But Peter was grieved, distressed, heavily sorrowful because Jesus changed his tone and used the different word. It wasn't just that Jesus asked him 3 times "do you love me?" This time , He used Peter's own term against him. Jesus seemed to be reminding Peter of what He fortold would happen in Mt. 26:34; Mk. 14:30; Lk. 22:34; Jn. 13:38; that Peter would deny Jesus 3 times before the rooster crowed. An instance which occurred in Mt. 26: 74,75; Mk. 14:68-72; Lk. 22:60,61; Jn. 18:27. Jesus was challenging Peter. Many people passionately loved(agapao) Jesus. He had saved and healed multitudes giving them reason to passionately love(agapao) Him. He wanted more than passionate love(agapao) from Peter. Passion(agapao) can be dissolved or denied as Peter proved. Jesus wanted from Peter that close unbreakable love(phileo) only brothers can have.
Another interesting point in these 3 verses is the use of 2 different Greek words for "feed." In verses 15, 17, it is the Greek word "bosko" which literally means to feed, give food to. In verse 16, it is the word "poimaino" which means not only give food to, but to do everything else required in taking care of someone or thing.
There are also 2 different words used for "sheep" and "lambs" In verse 15, the Greek word is "arnia" which means a lamb or young, baby sheep. They are new and need nourishment to grow. In verses 16,17, the word is "probaton" which is a mature(age wise) sheep. An adult lamb.
Summation and paraphrase: "Peter, if you love(phileo) me give new and young believers food of me that they may grow. Continue to guide, lead, and nourish them which are mature in the faith.
For another treatise on all of the Greek words for love, click here and scroll down to days 6-25 through 6-27.
Click here for e-sword.net
Click here for Biblesupport.com