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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• 33{i}And Peter answering said to him, If all shall be offended in thee, I will never be offended.{/i}
 35{i}Peter says to him, If I should needs die with thee, I will in no wise deny thee. Likewise said all the disciples also.{/i} (Matt. 26:33,35)
l
Song of Sol. 3:2•  (Song of Sol. 3:2)
i
Isa. 40:11•  (Isa. 40:11)
;
Jer. 3:15•  (Jer. 3:15)
;
Ezek. 34:2‑10•  (Ezek. 34:2‑10)
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Acts 20:28• 28Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit set you overseers to tend the assembly of God, which he purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)
;
1 Peter 5:2,4• 2Tend the flock of God that [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 saith to him again a second time, Simon [son] of Jonah, lovest thou me? He saith to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I dearly love thee. He saith to him, Tend my sheep.
 17He saith to him the third time, Simon [son] of Jonah, dost thou dearly love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Dost thou dearly love me? and he said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I dearly love thee. Jesus saith 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 Jonah; thou shalt be called Cephas (which is interpreted Peter). (John 1:42)
Jona.
Matt. 16:17• 17{i}And 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.{/i} (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; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me. (John 8:42)
;
John 14:15‑24• 15If ye love me, keep my commandments;
 16and I will request the Father, and he will give you another Paraclete, that he may be with you forever,
 17the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it beholdeth him not, nor knoweth him; but ye know him, because he abideth with you, and shall be in you.
 18I will not leave you orphans, I am coming unto you.
 19Yet a little, and the world beholdeth me no more; but ye behold 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 hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; but he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him and will manifest myself to him.
 22Judas, not the Iscariot, saith to him, Lord, [and] how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself to us and not to the world?
 23Jesus answered and said to him, If anyone love me, he will keep my word, 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 words; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s that sent me. (John 14:15‑24)
;
John 16:27• 27for the Father himself dearly loveth you because ye have dearly loved me and have believed that I came out from God. (John 16:27)
;
Matt. 10:37• 37{i}He 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.{/i} (Matt. 10:37)
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Matt. 25:34‑45• 34Then shall the King say to those on his right, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the world's foundation.
 35For I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, 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 fed thee; or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
 38and when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in; or naked, and clothed thee?
 39and when saw we thee sick or in prison, and came unto thee?
 40And the King answering shall say to them, Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] to one of the least of these my brethren, ye did [it] to me.
 41Then shall he say also to those on the left, Go from me, accursed, into the everlasting fire that is prepared for the devil and his angels.
 42For I was hungry, and ye gave me not to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me not to 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, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and ministered not to thee?
 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of these least, ye did [it] not to me. (Matt. 25:34‑45)
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1 Cor. 16:21‑22• 21The salutation of Paul with mine own hand.
 22If anyone loveth 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, having judged this, that if one died for all, then they all were dead;
 15and he died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for them died and rose. (2 Cor. 5:14‑15)
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Gal. 5:6• 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision hath any force nor uncircumcision, but faith working by love. (Gal. 5:6)
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Eph. 6:24• 24grace with all 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; in whom, though not now seeing but believing, ye exult with joy unspeakable and glorified, (1 Peter 1:8)
;
1 John 4:19• 19We love, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
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1 John 5:1• 1Every one that believeth that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God, and every one that loveth him that begot loveth also him that is begotten of him. (1 John 5:1)
more.
John 21:7• 7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith to Peter, It is the Lord. Then Simon Peter, hearing that it was the Lord, girt his over-coat about [him] (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea. (John 21:7)
;
Matt. 26:33,35• 33{i}And Peter answering said to him, If all shall be offended in thee, I will never be offended.{/i}
 35{i}Peter says to him, If I should needs die with thee, I will in no wise deny thee. Likewise said all the disciples also.{/i} (Matt. 26:33,35)
;
Mark 14:29• 29{i}But Peter said to him, Even if all should be offended, yet not I.{/i} (Mark 14:29)
thou knowest.
John 21:17• 17He saith to him the third time, Simon [son] of Jonah, dost thou dearly love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Dost thou dearly love me? and he said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I dearly love thee. Jesus saith to him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:17)
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2 Sam. 7:20•  (2 Sam. 7:20)
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2 Kings 20:3•  (2 Kings 20:3)
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Heb. 4:13• 13And not a creature is unmanifest in his sight; but all things [are] naked and laid bare to his eyes with whom [is] our account. (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 that searcheth reins and hearts; and I will give you each according to your works. (Rev. 2:23)
Feed.
Psa. 78:70‑72•  (Psa. 78:70‑72)
;
Jer. 3:15•  (Jer. 3:15)
;
Jer. 23:4•  (Jer. 23:4)
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Ezek. 34:2‑10,23•  (Ezek. 34:2‑10,23)
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Acts 20:28• 28Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit set you overseers to tend the assembly of God, which he purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)
;
1 Tim. 4:15‑16• 15Bestow care on these things; be wholly in them; that thy progress may be manifest to all.
 16Take heed to thyself and the teaching; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt save thyself and those that hear thee. (1 Tim. 4:15‑16)
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Heb. 13:20• 20But the God of peace, that brought again from among [the] dead our Lord Jesus the great Shepherd of the sheep in virtue of blood of an everlasting covenant, (Heb. 13:20)
;
1 Peter 2:25• 25For ye were going astray as sheep, but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)
;
1 Peter 5:1‑4• 1Elders [therefore] that [are] among you I exhort that [am] fellow-elder, and witness of the sufferings of Christ, that [am] also partaker of the glory about to be revealed.
 2Tend the flock of God that [is] among you, exercising oversight, not by necessity but willingly, not for base gain, but readily,
 3nor as lording it over your allotments, but becoming models of 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•  (Gen. 33:13)
;
Isa. 40:11•  (Isa. 40:11)
;
Matt. 18:10‑11• 10{i}See 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.{/i}
 11{i}For the Son of man has come to save that which was lost.{/i} (Matt. 18:10‑11)
;
Luke 22:32• 32but I have besought for thee that thy faith fail not, and thou, when once turned back establish thy brethren. (Luke 22:32)
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Rom. 14:1• 1But him that is weak in the faith receive not unto decisions of reasonings. (Rom. 14:1)
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Rom. 15:1• 1But we, the strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves. (Rom. 15:1)
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1 Cor. 3:1‑3• 1And I, brethren, was not able to speak to you as spiritual, but as fleshy, as babes in Christ.
 2With milk I gave you drink, not meat; for ye were not yet able, nor indeed are ye now able,
 3for ye are yet carnal. For whereas emulation and strife [are] among you, are ye not carnal and walk according to man? (1 Cor. 3:1‑3)
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1 Cor. 8:11• 11And he that is weak perisheth by thy knowledge, the brother for whom Christ died? (1 Cor. 8:11)
;
Eph. 4:14• 14that we may no longer be babes, tossed and carried about by every wind of doctrine in the sleight of men, in craftiness for the scheming of error, (Eph. 4:14)
;
Heb. 12:12‑13• 12Wherefore lift up the exhausted hands and the enfeebled knees,
 13and make straight paths for your feet that what is lame be not turned out of the way but rather be healed. (Heb. 12:12‑13)
;
1 Peter 2:2• 2as new-born babes long for the guileless intelligent milk that by it ye may grow unto 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 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.