John 21:17
What does John 21:17 mean?
A plain-English look at John 21:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 21:17 means
For the third time, Jesus asked Peter, "Simon, son of John, lovest thou me?" The repetition grieved Peter, likely because it reminded him of his three denials of Jesus. His response, now acknowledging Jesus' omniscience, was a heartfelt surrender: "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee." This complete confession led to Jesus' third commission, "Feed my sheep," solidifying Peter's role as a spiritual shepherd, emphasizing the ongoing and comprehensive care for all followers of Christ. This three-fold questioning perfectly reverses Peter's three-fold denial.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He said to him a third time, Simon, son of John, am I dear to you? Now Peter was troubled in his heart because he put the question a third time, Am I dear to you? And he said to him, Lord, you have knowledge of all things; you see that you are dear to me. Jesus said to him, Then give my sheep food.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862He saith to him the third time, `Simon, <FI>son<Fi> of Jonas, dost thou dearly love me?' Peter was grieved that he said to him the third time, `Dost thou dearly love me?' and he said to him, `Lord, thou hast known all things; thou dost know that I dearly love thee.' Jesus saith to him, `Feed my sheep;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my sheep.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He says to him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, art thou attached to me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Art thou attached to me? and said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. Jesus says to him, Feed my sheep.
Context
This verse brings the triple questioning of Peter to its climax, highlighting Peter's grief and his ultimate, complete affirmation of love for Jesus, acknowledging Jesus' full knowledge. This final response solidifies the restoration, directly reversing Peter's three denials. The subsequent commission, "Feed my sheep," reiterates and confirms Peter's vital future role, setting the stage for a discussion about his future path and destiny.
v.16He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep.
v.17This passage
v.18Verily, 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 17:10
I, Jehovah, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
- Luke 22:61
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said unto him, Before the cock crow this day thou shalt deny me thrice.
- 2 Corinthians 8:8
I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
- Acts 1:24
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom thou hast chosen,
- Revelation 2:23
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works.
- Joshua 22:22
The Mighty One, God, Jehovah, the Mighty One, God, Jehovah, he knoweth; and Israel he shall know: if it be in rebellion, or if in trespass against Jehovah (save thou us not this day),
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