(1) v.15b “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these do?”
(NET) ["these"] refers to the other disciples, meaning “Do you love me more than these other disciples do?” It seems likely that there is some irony here: Peter had boasted in 13:37, “I will lay down my life for you,” and the synoptics present Peter as boasting even more explicitly of his loyalty to Jesus (“Even if they all fall away, I will not,” Matt 26:33; Mark 14:29). Thus the semantic force of what Jesus asks Peter here amounts to something like “Now, after you have denied me three times, as I told you you would, can you still affirm that you love me more than these other disciples do?” The addition of the auxiliary verb “do” in the translation is used to suggest to the English reader the third interpretation, which is the preferred one.
(2) Jesus asked Peter 3 times, "do you love me?" and Peter answered 3 times and he was distressed that Jesus answered him this many times v.17. Why Jesus needed to be so sure that Peter loved Him?
21:18 I tell you the solemn truth, when you were young, you tied your clothes around you and went wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will tie you up and bring you where you do not want to go.” 21:19 (Now Jesus said this to indicate clearly by what kind of death Peter was going to glorify God.) After he said this, Jesus told Peter, “Follow me.”
It was because Peter would die as a follower of Jesus. That was not very easy to love Jesus to that extent. Note, this caused the protest of Peter and asked Jesus did John need to die, too? v.20-23. Jesus said that was not Peter's concern v.22, 23. No matter what other people would have, Peter was set as a martyr.
It was because Peter would die as a follower of Jesus. That was not very easy to love Jesus to that extent. Note, this caused the protest of Peter and asked Jesus did John need to die, too? v.20-23. Jesus said that was not Peter's concern v.22, 23. No matter what other people would have, Peter was set as a martyr.
(3) Scripture did not record the response of Peter after Jesus' reply in v.22.
21:22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to live until I come back, what concern is that of yours? You follow me!”
However, from the book of 1 and 2 Peter we see how Peter shepherded the church. Even though he knew that he would die from his faith he continued this journey. How did the incidents that happened in John 21 help him? Jesus made him remember how he was called (the incident of catching many fish) and how he served (the incident of sharing the fish and bread from Jesus' hands to 5000). Finally Jesus reminded how he failed in denying Jesus (the charcoal of fire) and now Jesus appeared to him to receive him again.
However, from the book of 1 and 2 Peter we see how Peter shepherded the church. Even though he knew that he would die from his faith he continued this journey. How did the incidents that happened in John 21 help him? Jesus made him remember how he was called (the incident of catching many fish) and how he served (the incident of sharing the fish and bread from Jesus' hands to 5000). Finally Jesus reminded how he failed in denying Jesus (the charcoal of fire) and now Jesus appeared to him to receive him again.
Reflection: Do we serve God? Do we serve God because we love God? Do we love God because God reminds us how we were called? Do we love God because God reminds us how we started to serve Him? Do we love God because we are received back to God after we fail?
Do we continue to do what God wants us to do even though we need to sacrifice?
Do we serve God even though we give out more than others?
Audrey
Comments