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John 21

John 21:17 KJV (With Strong’s)

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17
He saith
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
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)
the third time
tritos (Greek #5154)
third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly
KJV usage: third(-ly).
Pronounce: tree'-tos
Origin: ordinal from 5140
, 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
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
me
me (Greek #3165)
me
KJV usage: I, me, my.
Pronounce: meh
Origin: a shorter (and probably originally) form of 1691
? Peter
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
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
was grieved
lupeo (Greek #3076)
to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad
KJV usage: cause grief, grieve, be in heaviness, (be) sorrow(-ful), be (make) sorry.
Pronounce: loo-peh'-o
Origin: from 3077
o because
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
he said
epo (Greek #2036)
to speak or say (by word or writing)
KJV usage: answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare 3004.
Pronounce: ep'-o
Origin: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from 2046, 4483, and 5346)
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)
the third time
tritos (Greek #5154)
third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly
KJV usage: third(-ly).
Pronounce: tree'-tos
Origin: ordinal from 5140
, Lovest thou
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
me
me (Greek #3165)
me
KJV usage: I, me, my.
Pronounce: meh
Origin: a shorter (and probably originally) form of 1691
? And
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
he said
epo (Greek #2036)
to speak or say (by word or writing)
KJV usage: answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare 3004.
Pronounce: ep'-o
Origin: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from 2046, 4483, and 5346)
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)
, 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
q 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
all things
pas (Greek #3956)
apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole
KJV usage: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Pronounce: pas
Origin: including all the forms of declension
; 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
ginosko (Greek #1097)
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
KJV usage: allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
Pronounce: ghin-oce'-ko
Origin: a prolonged form of 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
. 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
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)
, 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)
my
mou (Greek #3450)
of me
KJV usage: I, me, mine (own), my.
Pronounce: moo
Origin: the simpler form of 1700
sheep
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
probaton (Greek #4263)
something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e. (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: sheep(-fold).
Pronounce: prob'-at-on
Origin: probably neuter of a presumed derivative of 4260
.
o
Lam. 3:33• 33For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. (Lam. 3:33)
q
John 16:30• 30Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. (John 16:30)

More on:

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

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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the third.
John 13:38• 38Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice. (John 13:38)
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John 18:27• 27Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. (John 18:27)
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Matt. 26:73‑74• 73And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
 74Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. (Matt. 26:73‑74)
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Rev. 3:19• 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (Rev. 3:19)
grieved.
1 Kings 17:18• 18And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? (1 Kings 17:18)
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Lam. 3:33• 33For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. (Lam. 3:33)
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Matt. 26:75• 75And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. (Matt. 26:75)
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Mark 14:72• 72And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. (Mark 14:72)
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Luke 22:61‑62• 61And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
 62And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:61‑62)
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2 Cor. 2:4‑7• 4For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
 5But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
 6Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
 7So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. (2 Cor. 2:4‑7)
;
2 Cor. 7:8‑11• 8For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
 9Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
 10For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
 11For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (2 Cor. 7:8‑11)
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Eph. 4:30• 30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Eph. 4:30)
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1 Peter 1:6• 6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: (1 Peter 1:6)
Lord.
John 2:24‑25• 24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
 25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. (John 2:24‑25)
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John 16:30• 30Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. (John 16:30)
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John 18:4• 4Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? (John 18:4)
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Jer. 17:10• 10I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jer. 17:10)
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Acts 1:24• 24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen, (Acts 1:24)
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Acts 15:8• 8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; (Acts 15:8)
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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)
thou knowest that.
John 21:15• 15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. (John 21:15)
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Josh. 22:22• 22The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the Lord, (save us not this day,) (Josh. 22:22)
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1 Chron. 29:17• 17I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. (1 Chron. 29:17)
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Job 31:4‑6• 4Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?
 5If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;
 6Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity. (Job 31:4‑6)
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Psa. 7:8‑9• 8The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
 9Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. (Psa. 7:8‑9)
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Psa. 17:3• 3Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. (Psa. 17:3)
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2 Cor. 1:12• 12For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. (2 Cor. 1:12)
Feed.
John 21:15‑16• 15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
 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. (John 21:15‑16)
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John 12:8• 8For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. (John 12:8)
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John 14:15• 15If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)
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John 15:10• 10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (John 15:10)
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Matt. 25:40• 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. (Matt. 25:40)
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2 Cor. 8:8‑9• 8I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
 9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Cor. 8:8‑9)
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2 Peter 1:12‑15• 12Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
 13Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
 14Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.
 15Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. (2 Peter 1:12‑15)
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2 Peter 3:1• 1This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: (2 Peter 3:1)
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1 John 3:16‑24• 16Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
 17But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
 18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
 19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
 20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
 21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
 22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
 23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
 24And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. (1 John 3:16‑24)
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3 John 7‑8• 7Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
 8We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. (3 John 7‑8)
• Not a word of blame or reproach; but the Lord for the third time questions him, and for the first time takes up his own word of special affection. Did not his threefold denial appear in the light of the threefold appeal, and, above all, of that word expressive of endearing love. (“Notes on John 21:15-17” by W. Kelly)
• Peter is reduced to acknowledge that it required the omniscience of God to know that he, who had boasted of having more love than all others for Jesus, had really any affection for Him at all. (“John 21” by J.N. Darby)
• The links between Peter and Christ known on earth made him fit to pasture the flock of the Jewish remnant-to feed the lambs, by showing them the Messiah as He had been, and to act as a shepherd, in guiding those that were more advanced, and in supplying them with food. (“John 21” by J.N. Darby)
• With these words He destroys the false foundation, the heart is made bare, and Peter is made fit to feed the sheep. The weakness was manifested, and perfect grace, and Jesus confides His beloved sheep, the most precious objects of His love, to him who had learned his weakness and to have no confidence in himself. (“John 21”)
• Not a word of blame or reproach; but the Lord for the third time questions him, and for the first time takes up his own word of special affection. Did not his threefold denial appear in the light of the threefold appeal, and, above all, of that word expressive of endearing love? (“John 21” by W. Kelly)
• Only He who of Himself knows all without an effort, only He could give credit to Peter’s heart, spite of his mouth and all appearances. (“John 21” by W. Kelly)
• Feed them, says the Lord. To tend or rule pastorally is not forgotten; but positive nourishment, as of the lambs at the beginning, remains to the last the abiding task of the shepherd, the habitual need of the sheep; but it demands enduring and deep love, not to scold, perhaps, or govern, but to feed, and not least of all the least of all Christ’s sheep. Only the love of Christ can carry one through it. (“John 21” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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17
He 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 knowesta all things; thou knowestc that I am attached to thee. Jesus says to him, Feed my sheep.

JND Translation Notes

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a
Oida, see Note at 1 Cor. 8.1.
c
Objective knowledge.

W. Kelly Translation

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17
He 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 sheepa.

WK Translation Notes

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a
Or, "little sheep."