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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• 33Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
 35Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. (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 broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. (Song of Sol. 3:2)
i
Isa. 40:11• 11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isa. 40:11)
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Jer. 3:15• 15And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which 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, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
 3Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
 4The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
 5And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
 6My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.
 7Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;
 8As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
 9Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;
 10Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. (Ezek. 34:2‑10)
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Acts 20:28• 28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)
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1 Peter 5:2,4• 2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
 4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (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 saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
 17He 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. (John 21:16‑17)
;
John 1:42• 42And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. (John 1:42)
Jona.
Matt. 16:17• 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (Matt. 16:17)
Bar-jona.
lovest.
John 8:42• 42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. (John 8:42)
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John 14:15‑24• 15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
 16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
 18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
 19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
 20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
 21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
 22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
 23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
 24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. (John 14:15‑24)
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John 16:27• 27For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. (John 16:27)
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Matt. 10:37• 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Matt. 10:37)
;
Matt. 25:34‑45• 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
 41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. (Matt. 25:34‑45)
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1 Cor. 16:21‑22• 21The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
 22If any man 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 Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:14‑15)
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Gal. 5:6• 6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. (Gal. 5:6)
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Eph. 6:24• 24Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. (Eph. 6:24)
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1 Peter 1:8• 8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1 Peter 1:8)
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1 John 4:19• 19We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
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1 John 5:1• 1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. (1 John 5:1)
more.
John 21:7• 7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. (John 21:7)
;
Matt. 26:33,35• 33Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
 35Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. (Matt. 26:33,35)
;
Mark 14:29• 29But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. (Mark 14:29)
thou knowest.
John 21:17• 17He 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. (John 21:17)
;
2 Sam. 7:20• 20And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord God, knowest thy servant. (2 Sam. 7:20)
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2 Kings 20:3• 3I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. (2 Kings 20:3)
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Heb. 4:13• 13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Heb. 4:13)
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Rev. 2:23• 23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Rev. 2:23)
Feed.
Psa. 78:70‑72• 70He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
 71From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
 72So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands. (Psa. 78:70‑72)
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Jer. 3:15• 15And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Jer. 3:15)
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Jer. 23:4• 4And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord. (Jer. 23:4)
;
Ezek. 34:2‑10,23• 2Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
 3Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
 4The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
 5And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
 6My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.
 7Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;
 8As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
 9Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;
 10Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat 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 unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)
;
1 Tim. 4:15‑16• 15Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
 16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (1 Tim. 4:15‑16)
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Heb. 13:20• 20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, (Heb. 13:20)
;
1 Peter 2:25• 25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)
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1 Peter 5:1‑4• 1The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
 2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
 3Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
 4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:1‑4)
lambs.
Gen. 33:13• 13And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die. (Gen. 33:13)
;
Isa. 40:11• 11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isa. 40:11)
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Matt. 18:10‑11• 10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
 11For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matt. 18:10‑11)
;
Luke 22:32• 32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:32)
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Rom. 14:1• 1Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. (Rom. 14:1)
;
Rom. 15:1• 1We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (Rom. 15:1)
;
1 Cor. 3:1‑3• 1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
 2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
 3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Cor. 3:1‑3)
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1 Cor. 8:11• 11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? (1 Cor. 8:11)
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Eph. 4:14• 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Eph. 4:14)
;
Heb. 12:12‑13• 12Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
 13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. (Heb. 12:12‑13)
;
1 Peter 2:2• 2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (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 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.