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John 21

John 21:15 KJV (With Strong’s)

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15
So
oun (Greek #3767)
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
KJV usage: and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
Pronounce: oon
Origin: apparently a primary word
when
hote (Greek #3753)
at which (thing) too, i.e. when
KJV usage: after (that), as soon as, that, when, while.
Pronounce: hot'-eh
Origin: from 3739 and 5037
they had dined
aristao (Greek #709)
to take the principle meal
KJV usage: dine.
Pronounce: ar-is-tah'-o
Origin: from 712
, Jesus
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
Iesous (Greek #2424)
Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
KJV usage: Jesus.
Pronounce: ee-ay-sooce'
Origin: of Hebrew origin (03091)
saith
lego (Greek #3004)
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
KJV usage: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Pronounce: leg'-o
Origin: a primary verb
to Simon
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
Simon (Greek #4613)
Simon (i.e. Shimon), the name of nine Israelites
KJV usage: Simon. Compare 4826.
Pronounce: see'-mone
Origin: of Hebrew origin (08095)
Peter
Petros (Greek #4074)
a (piece of) rock (larger than 3037); as a name, Petrus, an apostle
KJV usage: Peter, rock. Compare 2786.
Pronounce: pet'-ros
Origin: apparently a primary word
, Simon
Simon (Greek #4613)
Simon (i.e. Shimon), the name of nine Israelites
KJV usage: Simon. Compare 4826.
Pronounce: see'-mone
Origin: of Hebrew origin (08095)
, son of Jonas
Ionas (Greek #2495)
Jonas (i.e. Jonah), the name of two Israelites
KJV usage: Jonas.
Pronounce: ee-o-nas'
Origin: of Hebrew origin (03124)
, lovest thou
agapao (Greek #25)
to love (in a social or moral sense)
KJV usage: (be-)love(-ed). Compare 5368.
Pronounce: ag-ap-ah'-o
Origin: perhaps from ἄγαν (much) (or compare 5689)
me
me (Greek #3165)
me
KJV usage: I, me, my.
Pronounce: meh
Origin: a shorter (and probably originally) form of 1691
moreh than
pleion (Greek #4119)
more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion
KJV usage: X above, + exceed, more excellent, further, (very) great(-er), long(-er), (very) many, greater (more) part, + yet but.
Pronounce: pli-own
Origin: πλεῖον (pli'-on), or πλέον (pleh'-on) comparative of 4183
these
touton (Greek #5130)
of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)
KJV usage: such, their, these (things), they, this sort, those.
Pronounce: too'-tone
Origin: genitive case plural masculine or neuter of 3778
? He saith
lego (Greek #3004)
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
KJV usage: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Pronounce: leg'-o
Origin: a primary verb
unto him
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
, Yea
nai (Greek #3483)
yes
KJV usage: even so, surely, truth, verily, yea, yes.
Pronounce: nahee
Origin: a primary particle of strong affirmation
, Lord
kurios (Greek #2962)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV usage: God, Lord, master, Sir.
Pronounce: koo'-ree-os
Origin: from κῦρος (supremacy)
; thou
su (Greek #4771)
thou
KJV usage: thou. See also 4571, 4671, 4675; and for the plural 5209, 5210, 5213, 5216.
Pronounce: soo
Origin: the person pronoun of the second person singular
knowest
eido (Greek #1492)
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent 3700 and 3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know
KJV usage: be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare 3700.
Pronounce: i'-do
Origin: a primary verb
that
hoti (Greek #3754)
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
KJV usage: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Pronounce: hot'-ee
Origin: neuter of 3748 as conjunction
I love
phileo (Greek #5368)
to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while 25 is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as 2309 and 1014, or as 2372 and 3563 respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head); specially, to kiss (as a mark of tenderness)
KJV usage: kiss, love.
Pronounce: fil-eh'-o
Origin: from 5384
thee
se (Greek #4571)
thee
KJV usage: thee, thou, X thy house.
Pronounce: seh
Origin: accusative case singular of 4771
. He saith
lego (Greek #3004)
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
KJV usage: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Pronounce: leg'-o
Origin: a primary verb
unto him
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
l, Feed
bosko (Greek #1006)
to pasture; by extension to, fodder; reflexively, to graze
KJV usage: feed, keep.
Pronounce: bos'-ko
Origin: a prolonged form of a primary verb (compare 977, 1016)
i my
mou (Greek #3450)
of me
KJV usage: I, me, mine (own), my.
Pronounce: moo
Origin: the simpler form of 1700
lambs
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
arnion (Greek #721)
a lambkin
KJV usage: lamb.
Pronounce: ar-nee'-on
Origin: diminutive from 704
.*
touton (Greek #5130)
of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)
KJV usage: such, their, these (things), they, this sort, those.
Pronounce: too'-tone
Origin: genitive case plural masculine or neuter of 3778
h
Matt. 26:33,35• 33And Peter answering said to him, If all shall be offended in thee, *I* will never be offended.
 35Peter says to him, If I should needs die with thee, I will in no wise deny thee. Likewise said all the disciples also. (Matt. 26:33,35)
l
Song of Sol. 3:2• 2I will rise now, and go about the city; In the streets and in the broadways Will I seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. (Song of Sol. 3:2)
i
Isa. 40:11• 11He will feed his flock like a shepherd: he will gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom; he will gently lead those that give suck. (Isa. 40:11)
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Jer. 3:15• 15And I will give you shepherds according to my heart, and they shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Jer. 3:15)
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Ezek. 34:2‑10• 2Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy; and say unto them, unto the shepherds, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe to the shepherds of Israel that feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?
 3Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool; ye kill them that are fattened: but ye feed not the flock.
 4The weak have ye not strengthened, nor have ye healed the sick, and ye have not bound up what was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought for that which was lost; but with harshness and with rigour have ye ruled over them.
 5And they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.
 6My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill, and my sheep have been scattered upon all the face of the earth, and there was none that searched, or that sought for them.
 7Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah:
 8As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, verily because my sheep have been a prey, and my sheep have been meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, and my shepherds searched not for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock,
 9--therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah.
 10Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my sheep at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock: that the shepherds may feed themselves no more; and I will deliver my sheep from their mouth, that they may not be food for them. (Ezek. 34:2‑10)
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Acts 20:28• 28Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, wherein the Holy Spirit has set you as overseers, to shepherd the assembly of God, which he has purchased with the blood of his own. (Acts 20:28)
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1 Peter 5:2,4• 2shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising oversight, not by necessity, but willingly; not for base gain, but readily;
 4And when the chief shepherd is manifested ye shall receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:2,4)

More on:

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Jonas; Jona,
Lamb,
Peter,
Simon,
The Lord Jesus

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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son.
John 21:16‑17• 16He says to him again a second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. He says to him, Shepherd my sheep.
 17He 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. (John 21:16‑17)
;
John 1:42• 42And he led him to Jesus. Jesus looking at him said, Thou art Simon, the son of Jonas; thou shalt be called Cephas (which interpreted is stone). (John 1:42)
Jona.
Matt. 16:17• 17And Jesus answering said to him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona, for flesh and blood has not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in the heavens. (Matt. 16:17)
Bar-jona.
lovest.
John 8:42• 42Jesus said to them, If God were your father ye would have loved me, for I came forth from God and am come from him; for neither am I come of myself, but *he* has sent me. (John 8:42)
;
John 14:15‑24• 15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
 16And I will beg the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever,
 17the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see him nor know him; but ye know him, for he abides with you, and shall be in you.
 18I will not leave you orphans, I am coming to you.
 19Yet a little and the world sees me no longer; but ye see me; because I live ye also shall live.
 20In that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
 21He that has my commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves me; but he that loves me shall be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will manifest myself to him.
 22Judas, not the Iscariote, says to him, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself to us and not to the world?
 23Jesus answered and said to him, If any one love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him.
 24He that loves me not does not keep my words; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but that of the Father who has sent me. (John 14:15‑24)
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John 16:27• 27for the Father himself has affection for you, because ye have had affection for me, and have believed that I came out from God. (John 16:27)
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Matt. 10:37• 37He who loves father or mother above me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter above me is not worthy of me. (Matt. 10:37)
;
Matt. 25:34‑45• 34Then shall the King say to those on his right hand, Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the world's foundation:
 35for I hungered, and ye gave me to eat; I thirsted, and ye gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;
 36naked, and ye clothed me; I was ill, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came to me.
 37Then shall the righteous answer him saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungering, and nourished thee; or thirsting, and gave thee to drink?
 38and when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in; or naked, and clothed thee?
 39and when saw we thee ill, or in prison, and came to thee?
 40And the King answering shall say to them, Verily, I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me.
 41Then shall he say also to those on the left, Go from me, cursed, into eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
 42for I hungered, and ye gave me not to eat; I thirsted, and ye gave me not to drink;
 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye did not clothe me; ill, and in prison, and ye did not visit me.
 44Then shall *they* also answer saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungering, or thirsting, or a stranger, or naked, or ill, or in prison, and have not ministered to thee?
 45Then shall he answer them saying, Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have not done it to one of these least, neither have ye done it to me. (Matt. 25:34‑45)
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1 Cor. 16:21‑22• 21The salutation of me Paul with my own hand.
 22If any one love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha. (1 Cor. 16:21‑22)
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2 Cor. 5:14‑15• 14For the love of the Christ constrains us, having judged this: that one died for all, then all have died;
 15and he died for all, that they who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who died for them and has been raised. (2 Cor. 5:14‑15)
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Gal. 5:6• 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision has any force, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love. (Gal. 5:6)
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Eph. 6:24• 24Grace with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption. (Eph. 6:24)
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1 Peter 1:8• 8whom, having not seen, ye love; on whom though not now looking, but believing, ye exult with joy unspeakable and filled with the glory, (1 Peter 1:8)
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1 John 4:19• 19*We* love because *he* has first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
;
1 John 5:1• 1Every one that believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God; and every one that loves him that has begotten loves also him that is begotten of him. (1 John 5:1)
more.
John 21:7• 7That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved says to Peter, It is the Lord. Simon Peter therefore, having heard that it was the Lord, girded his overcoat on him (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea; (John 21:7)
;
Matt. 26:33,35• 33And Peter answering said to him, If all shall be offended in thee, *I* will never be offended.
 35Peter says to him, If I should needs die with thee, I will in no wise deny thee. Likewise said all the disciples also. (Matt. 26:33,35)
;
Mark 14:29• 29But Peter said to him, Even if all should be offended, yet not *I*. (Mark 14:29)
thou knowest.
John 21:17• 17He 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. (John 21:17)
;
2 Sam. 7:20• 20And what can David say more to thee? for thou, Lord Jehovah, knowest thy servant. (2 Sam. 7:20)
;
2 Kings 20:3• 3Ah! Jehovah, remember, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done what is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept much. (2 Kings 20:3)
;
Heb. 4:13• 13And there is not a creature unapparent before him; but all things are naked and laid bare to his eyes, with whom we have to do. (Heb. 4:13)
;
Rev. 2:23• 23and her children will I kill with death; and all the assemblies shall know that *I* am he that searches the reins and the hearts; and I will give to you each according to your works. (Rev. 2:23)
Feed.
Psa. 78:70‑72• 70And he chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
 71From following the suckling-ewes, he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
 72And he fed them according to the integrity of his heart, and led them by the skilfulness of his hands. (Psa. 78:70‑72)
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Jer. 3:15• 15And I will give you shepherds according to my heart, and they shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Jer. 3:15)
;
Jer. 23:4• 4And I will raise up shepherds over them, who shall feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, saith Jehovah. (Jer. 23:4)
;
Ezek. 34:2‑10,23• 2Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy; and say unto them, unto the shepherds, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe to the shepherds of Israel that feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?
 3Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool; ye kill them that are fattened: but ye feed not the flock.
 4The weak have ye not strengthened, nor have ye healed the sick, and ye have not bound up what was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought for that which was lost; but with harshness and with rigour have ye ruled over them.
 5And they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.
 6My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill, and my sheep have been scattered upon all the face of the earth, and there was none that searched, or that sought for them.
 7Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah:
 8As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, verily because my sheep have been a prey, and my sheep have been meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, and my shepherds searched not for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock,
 9--therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah.
 10Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my sheep at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock: that the shepherds may feed themselves no more; and I will deliver my sheep from their mouth, that they may not be food for them.
 23And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David: he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. (Ezek. 34:2‑10,23)
;
Acts 20:28• 28Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, wherein the Holy Spirit has set you as overseers, to shepherd the assembly of God, which he has purchased with the blood of his own. (Acts 20:28)
;
1 Tim. 4:15‑16• 15Occupy thyself with these things; be wholly in them, that thy progress may be manifest to all.
 16Give heed to thyself and to the teaching; continue in them; for, doing this, thou shalt save both thyself and those that hear thee. (1 Tim. 4:15‑16)
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Heb. 13:20• 20But the God of peace, who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, in the power of the blood of the eternal covenant, (Heb. 13:20)
;
1 Peter 2:25• 25For ye were going astray as sheep, but have now returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)
;
1 Peter 5:1‑4• 1The elders which are among you I exhort, who am their fellow-elder and witness of the sufferings of the Christ, who also am partaker of the glory about to be revealed:
 2shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising oversight, not by necessity, but willingly; not for base gain, but readily;
 3not as lording it over your possessions, but being models for the flock.
 4And when the chief shepherd is manifested ye shall receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:1‑4)
lambs.
Gen. 33:13• 13And he said to him, My lord knows that the children are tender, and the suckling sheep and kine are with me; and if they should overdrive them only one day, all the flock would die. (Gen. 33:13)
;
Isa. 40:11• 11He will feed his flock like a shepherd: he will gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom; he will gently lead those that give suck. (Isa. 40:11)
;
Matt. 18:10‑11• 10See that ye do not despise one of these little ones; for I say unto you that their angels in the heavens continually behold the face of my Father who is in the heavens.
 11For the Son of man has come to save that which was lost. (Matt. 18:10‑11)
;
Luke 22:32• 32but *I* have besought for thee that thy faith fail not; and *thou*, when once thou hast been restored, confirm thy brethren. (Luke 22:32)
;
Rom. 14:1• 1Now him that is weak in the faith receive, not to the determining of questions of reasoning. (Rom. 14:1)
;
Rom. 15:1• 1But *we* ought, we that are strong, to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (Rom. 15:1)
;
1 Cor. 3:1‑3• 1And *I*, brethren, have not been able to speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly; as to babes in Christ.
 2I have given you milk to drink, not meat, for ye have not yet been able, nor indeed are ye yet able;
 3for ye are yet carnal. For whereas there are among you emulation and strife, are ye not carnal, and walk according to man? (1 Cor. 3:1‑3)
;
1 Cor. 8:11• 11and the weak one, the brother for whose sake Christ died, will perish through thy knowledge. (1 Cor. 8:11)
;
Eph. 4:14• 14in order that we may be no longer babes, tossed and carried about by every wind of *that* teaching which is in the sleight of men, in unprincipled cunning with a view to systematized error; (Eph. 4:14)
;
Heb. 12:12‑13• 12Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the failing knees;
 13and make straight paths for your feet, that that which is lame be not turned aside; but that rather it may be healed. (Heb. 12:12‑13)
;
1 Peter 2:2• 2as newborn babes desire earnestly the pure mental milk of the word, that by it ye may grow up to salvation, (1 Peter 2:2)
• And before the eleven had the Lord standing in their midst, He had appeared to Simon. (Luke 24:34 1 Cor. 15:5.) (“Notes on John 21:15-17” by W. Kelly)
• He calls him by his natural name; for well He knew wherein lay the secret, which gave a handle to the enemy. (“Notes on John 21:15-17” by W. Kelly)
• He, the good Shepherd, about to quit the world, entrusts to His servant that Which was unspeakably precious in His eyes and Most of all needed His care: "Feed my lambs." Thus does He prove our love by answering to His love for the weakest of saints. (“Notes on John 21:15-17” by W. Kelly)
• He does not reproach him with his fault, but judges the source of evil that produced it-self-confidence. (“John 21” by J.N. Darby)
• {v.15-17} our Gospel, while fully revealing God in Christ on earth, and in these closing chapters tracing His ways in Christ risen, first for the Christian and the assembly, next for Israel, and lastly for the Gentiles, never loses sight of grace working with the individual soul. Thus Peter must be thoroughly restored and publicly reinstated. (“John 21” by W. Kelly)
• The Lord goes to the root of the matter. He does not speak of Peter’s denying Him, but penetrates to its cause. Peter fell through confidence in himself, at least in his love to his Master. (“John 21” by W. Kelly)
• He calls him by his natural name; for well He knew wherein lay the secret which gave a handle to the enemy…. he had not merely trusted in himself, in comparison with others, but slighted the word of the Lord. (“John 21” by W. Kelly)
• Yet at first Peter does not discover the aim of the Lord. He does avoid unwise comparison with others; he simply appeals to the Lord’s inward conscious knowledge: “Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I dearly love (φιλῶ) Thee.” Far from denying his profession of tender affection, the Lord proves His own value for it, and His confidence in Peter. For He, the Good Shepherd, about to quit the world, entrusts to His servant that which was unspeakably precious in His eyes and most of all needed His care: “Feed My lambs.” (“John 21” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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15
When therefore they had dined, Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovestb thou me more than these? He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowesta that I am attached tob thee. He says to him, Feed my lambs.

JND Translation Notes

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b
This passage (vers. 15-17) illustrates the force of two Greek words for "to love," phileo and agapao. The former signifies the love of friendship, and is more intimate and intense. It is here translated "I am attached to," and in ch. 16.27 "have affection for." Agapao, more often used in the New Testament, is more general, and signifies love as the settled disposition of a person rather than as an emotion. It is used for God's love to man (except in Titus 3.4, where a compound word is used which embodies the word phileo) and for the love of men to God. Both words are used for the love of the Father for the Son, phileo once only, John 5.20, and agapao in John 3.35, etc.. and for the love of Christ for his own, phileo in John 11.3 and agapao in John 11.5 and elsewhere. Phileo is used in John 16.27, of the love of the Father for the disciples, and of the love of the disciples for Christ.
a
Oida, see Note at 1 Cor. 8.1.

W. Kelly Translation

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15
When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon [son] of Jonaha, lovestb thou me more than these? He saith to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I dearly love thee. He saith to him, Feed my lambs.

WK Translation Notes

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a
Or, "John", as also in verses 16 and 17. It is supported by a few of the oldest authorities, Jonah or Jonas too being perhaps only an abridged form of the name, Johanan or Jehohanan.
b
Observe that Jesus says to Peter the first and second times "lovest thou me" (agapas me), and that Peter replies "I love thee" (philō se). The third time (vs. 17) Jesus says "lovest thou me" (phileis me). It has been remarked that one means "love," and the other simply "friendly feeling." "Agapaō" is the generic term for loving, and is applicable in all directions to superiors, inferiors, and equals. It is said of God’s feeling toward man, and of man’s toward God. It is predicated of God’s love to the world in giving His only-begotten Son, and of Christ’s love in giving Himself for the Church. On the other hand, "philō" seems to be a narrower word, and properly implies special affection and endearment. Hence it is often used to describe the outward sign of fondness and also vaguely that feeling which produces the habit of certain actions, though this last is true of "Agapaō." Both are said of God’s love to His Son.