Joh 21:15-25 | RWP | e4.org | Lovest thou me more than these? ( αγαπαις με πλεον τουτων; ). Ablative case of comparison τουτων (disciples) after πλεον . Peter had even boasted that he would stand by Christ though all men forsook him ( ). We do not know what passed between Jesus and Peter when Jesus first appeared to him ( ). But here Christ probes the inmost recesses of Peter's heart to secure the humility necessary for service. I love thee ( φιλω συ ). Peter makes no claim here to superior love and passes by the "more than these" and does not even use Christ's word αγαπαω for high and devoted love, but the humbler word φιλεω for love as a friend. He insists that Christ knows this in spite of his conduct. Feed my lambs ( Βοσκε τα αρνια μου ). For the old word βοσκω (to feed as a herdsman) see . Present active imperative here. Αρνια is a diminutive of αρνος (lamb).

‏ John 21:15-25

Lovest thou me more than these? ( αγαπαις με πλεον τουτων; ). Ablative case of comparison τουτων (disciples) after πλεον. Peter had even boasted that he would stand by Christ though all men forsook him (Mr 14:29). We do not know what passed between Jesus and Peter when Jesus first appeared to him (Lu 24:34). But here Christ probes the inmost recesses of Peter's heart to secure the humility necessary for service.

I love thee ( φιλω συ ). Peter makes no claim here to superior love and passes by the "more than these" and does not even use Christ's word αγαπαω for high and devoted love, but the humbler word φιλεω for love as a friend. He insists that Christ knows this in spite of his conduct.

Feed my lambs ( Βοσκε τα αρνια μου ). For the old word βοσκω (to feed as a herdsman) see Mt 8:33. Present active imperative here. Αρνια is a diminutive of αρνος (lamb).

Lovest thou me? ( αγαπαις με; ). This time Jesus drops the πλεον τουτων and challenges Peter's own statement. Peter repeats the same words in reply.

Tend my sheep ( ποιμαινε τα προβατια ). Present active imperative of ποιμαινω, old verb from ποιμην (shepherd), "shepherd my lambs" ( προβατια, diminutive of προβατον, sheep).

Lovest thou me? ( φιλεις με; ). This time Jesus picks up the word φιλεω used by Peter and challenges that. These two words are often interchanged in the N.T., but here the distinction is preserved. Peter was cut to the heart ( ελυπηθη, first aorist passive of λυπεω, to grieve) because Jesus challenges this very verb, and no doubt the third question vividly reminds him of the three denials in the early morning by the fire. He repeats his love for Jesus with the plea: "Thou knowest all things."

Feed my sheep ( βοσκε τα προβατια ). Many MSS. both here and in verse 16 read προβατα (sheep) instead of προβατια (little sheep or lambs).

Thou girdest thyself ( εζωννυες σεαυτον ). Imperfect active of customary action of ζωννυω, old verb, in N.T. only here and Ac 12:8. So as to περιεπατεις (walkedst) and ηθελες (wouldest), two other imperfects of customary action.

When thou shalt be old ( οταν γηρασηις ). Indefinite temporal clause with οταν and the first aorist active subjunctive of γηρασκω, old verb to grow old, in N.T. only here and Heb 8:13, "whenever thou growest old."

By what manner of death ( ποιω θανατω ). Undoubtedly John, who is writing long after Peter's death, seems to mean that Peter was to die (and did die) a martyr's death. "Whither thou wouldest not." There is a tradition that Peter met death by crucifixion and asked to be crucified head downwards, but that is not made plain here.

Turning about ( επιστραφεις ). Second aorist passive participle of επιστρεφω, old verb, here a sudden turning round (ingressive aorist). For the simplex verb στρεφω see 20:14, 16.

Following ( ακολουθουντα ). Following both Jesus and Peter, perhaps having heard the graphic dialogue above.

And what shall this man do? ( ουτος δε τι; ). Literally, "But this one ... what?" The abrupt ellipsis is intelligible.

If I will ( εαν θελω ). Condition of the third class with εαν and the present active subjunctive of θελω.

Till I come ( εως ερχομα ). Literally, "while I am coming" ( εως and the present indicative, not εως ελθω (second aorist active subjunctive).

What is that to thee? ( τ προς σε; ). A sharp rebuke to Peter's keen curiosity.

Follow thou me ( συ μο ακολουθε ). "Do thou me keep on following." That lesson Peter needed.

That that disciple should not die ( οτ ο μαθητης εκεινος ουκ αποθνησκε ) (present active indicative), because Peter or others misunderstood what Jesus meant as John now carefully explains. He was rebuking Peter's curiosity, not affirming that John would live on till the Master returned. John is anxious to set this matter right.

That is ( ουτος εστιν ). The one just mentioned in verse 20, "the disciple whom Jesus loved."

And wrote these things ( κα ο γραψας ταυτα ). Here there is a definite statement that the Beloved Disciple wrote this book.

We know ( οιδαμεν ). The plural here seems intentional as the identification and endorsement of a group of disciples who know the author and wish to vouch for his identity and for the truthfulness of his witness. Probably we see here a verse added by a group of elders in Ephesus where John had long laboured.

If they should be written every one ( εαν γραφητα καθ' εν ). Condition of the third class with εαν and present passive subjunctive of γραφω, "If they should be written one by one" (in full detail).

I suppose ( οιμα ). Note change back to the first person singular by the author.

Would not contain ( ουδ' αυτον τον κοσμον χωρησειν ). Future active infinitive in indirect discourse after οιμα. This is, of course, natural hyperbole, but graphically pictures for us the vastness of the work and words of Jesus from which the author has made a small selection (20:30f.) and by which he has produced what is, all things considered, the greatest of all the books produced by man, the eternal gospel from the eagle who soars to the very heavens and gives us a glimpse of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.