With Dale Ratzlaff
John 21:15-19
Over the years, I have read scholars and heard sermons that build much of their interpretation on the differences of the meaning of the two Greek words for love in this section. Sometimes these interpretations seemed a little fanciful to me. Therefore, before we interpret these verses, I would like for us to study the meaning of these words as used in the Gospel of John.
Much has been written about the two Greek words used in this section, “agapao” and “phileo.” “Agapao” is usually considered to be a higher, more selfless, altruistic, even sacred love while “phileo” is a love that may, but not primarily, include personal affection. At times it is even used “to kiss.” This is the word used when Judas betrayed Christ (Mt. 26:48). Scholars disagree as to the importance of interpreting this section in relation to the meaning of these two words for love. Lenski, in his Commentary on the ew Testament, John, p. 1417–1420, and John MacArthur in his New Testament Commentary, John 12–21, p. 401, 402, explain this section with emphasis on the differences in meaning of these words for love.
Morris (see The Gospel of John, p. 870–875) and D. A. Carson (The Gospel According to John, p. 675-678), while agreeing that there are shades of differences in the meaning of these words, do not think these differences should influence the interpretation of this section. Both Morris and Carson give a number of cogent reasons why any differences in meaning of these words should not influence one’s interpretation in this section of Scripture. I will give just one of their many reasons which caused me to follow their conclusions.
Notice how these two words for love are often interchanged in the Gospel of John.
There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved (agapao) (Jn. 13:23).
So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved (phileo) and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him” (Jn. 20:2).
Now Jesus loved (agapao) Martha and her sister and Lazarus (Jn. 11:5).
So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved (phileo) him!” (Jn. 11:36).
The Father loves (agapao) the Son and has given all things into His hand (Jn. 3:35).
For the Father loves (phileo) the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these so that you will marvel (Jn. 5:20).
Therefore, if we excluded any fine differences in the meaning of love in this section, what then is the thrust of Jesus’ dialogue with Peter?
Peter boasted of his loyalty to Jesus in front to the other disciples, saying he would die rather than deny Jesus.
Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later” (Jn. 13:36).
And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.” But Peter kept saying insistently, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing also (Mk. 14:30-31).
Peter bravely drew his sword and cut off the right ear of Malchus on the night of Jesus’ arrest. However, not long after that Peter succumbed to the questioning of a servant girl, those warming themselves around a fire, and a relative of Malchus. Doubtless, Peter still had feelings of guilt over his weakness. Remembering how the disciples were often seeking who of them would be the greatest, they must have felt some animosity toward Peter for his boasting and threefold denial. All of the disciples had pledged their loyalty to Jesus. Peter, however, is the only one who openly denied his Lord.
It is in this context we have the following exchange.
15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.”
The context follows immediately after Jesus had served the seven disciples breakfast. “When they…” implies that the rest of the group were still present. Jesus directed His questions to Peter in front of the others. Jesus addresses Peter as “Son of John.” These are the exact words Jesus used when He first saw Peter.
He [Andrew] brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, Peter) (Jn. 1:42).
Some have suggested that Jesus was helping Peter realize that, at this point in his life, Peter was just “son of John” and not the “rock” Jesus had named him. Others suggest that by calling Peter “son of John,” Jesus was emphasizing the solemnness of this conversation.
There are three possible answers to what did Jesus mean when He asked Peter, “Do you love me more than these?” In the presence of the beached boat, fishing net and abundance of fish was Jesus asking Peter, “Do you love me more than your fishing gear? In essence, Jesus is placing Peter at a crossroad. Is he going to go back to his old life fishing by the sea of Galilee, or is he going to be a leader in the new church?
Perhaps Jesus was asking Peter if he loved Jesus more than he loved his fishing partners? Too often our love for family and friends eclipses our love for Christ. Peter must decide, and so must we. Peter had bragged about his loyalty to Jesus in front of the others and failed miserably. What Jesus is doing in helping Peter face his sin in a kind and gentle way. Peter responded, “Yes, Lord, I love you.” By saying, “You know I love you,” Peter judges his own heart and knows he is telling the truth. He knows Jesus knows that too.
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
Just as the words for love are interchanged in this section of John, so are the concepts of the “sheep” and the “lambs” as well as “shepherd” and “tend.” The point made is that both the lambs and the sheep belong to Jesus. Peter is not to tend his flock, but to look after the flock of Jesus. He is the under-shepherd; Christ is the True Shepherd.
In summary of this section, what Jesus is doing is to help Peter see the largeness of his sin, bring repentance, in this case, sorrow for sin, and reinstating Peter as a true under-shepherd. All this is done in the presence of the other disciples who had heard his boasting claims. Peter now knows he is fully reinstated in Jesus’ love. The other disciples know this too.
Application
- Contemplating the experience of Peter, we ought to realize that our pledged loyalty to Christ when we were saved has at times failed. That we have all sinned and continue to sin is clearly taught in Scripture, and this helps us relate to what was going on between Christ and Peter. Today, where are our love and loyalty focused? Are they on our position, influence, or “things”—our “fishing gear?”
- Do we love Christ more than our family and friends? Over and over again, Jesus taught that a true Christian would place God first in his life.
If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple (Lk. 14:26).
- The way Jesus reinstated Peter after his major sin is instructive. Jesus was kind and gentle in the way He confronted Peter. May we also be kind and gentle in dealing with others who have fallen into major sin.
- Equally important is the fact that Jesus, who knew the loving heart of Peter, put him back into service and restored his leadership. Those who are truly repentant and confess their honest love to Christ as Peter did can be restored to service and even leadership. As Paul expressed it so clearly in Romans 5:20.
Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more
Prayer
Father, thank you for this insightful section of John’s Gospel. Thank you for the demonstration of Jesus in the way he dealt so graciously with denying Peter. May I treat others in the same way. Help me focus my loyalty and love on you alone. Keep me from being distracted from loving things more than you.
In Jesus name. †
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