Joh 21:15-23 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for John 21:15-17: 21:15-17 do you love me? The three questions and affirmations mirror Peter’s three denials (18:15-18 , 25-27 ). Jesus invited Peter to reaffirm everything he had denied. • The Greek term translated love in Jesus’ first two questions ( agapaō ) is different from the word in his third question ( phileō ). In each case, Peter answered with the second word ( phileō ). Most Greek scholars view the two words as synonyms in this situation. The focus of Jesus’ exchange with Peter was not the quality of Peter’s love, but Peter’s commission to take care of Jesus’ flock. Peter might be meditating on these events in 1 Pet 5:2-4 . 21:15 more than these? Or more than these others do? Jesus was reminding Peter of his insistence that he would be more faithful and courageous than the others (13:37 ; Matt 26:33 ; Mark 14:29 ). He was urging Peter to examine himself.

Summary for John 21:15-17: 21:15-17 ^a do you love me? The three questions and affirmations mirror Peter’s three denials (18:15-18 ^b, 25-27 ^c). Jesus invited Peter to reaffirm everything he had denied.

• The Greek term translated love in Jesus’ first two questions (agapaō) is different from the word in his third question (phileō). In each case, Peter answered with the second word (phileō). Most Greek scholars view the two words as synonyms in this situation. The focus of Jesus’ exchange with Peter was not the quality of Peter’s love, but Peter’s commission to take care of Jesus’ flock. Peter might be meditating on these events in 1 Pet 5:2-4 ^d. 21:15 ^e more than these? Or more than these others do? Jesus was reminding Peter of his insistence that he would be more faithful and courageous than the others (13:37 ^f; Matt 26:33 ^g; Mark 14:29 ^h). He was urging Peter to examine himself.
21:17 ⁱ feed my sheep: Jesus, who knows all things (1:42 ^j; 2:25 ^k; 16:30 ^l), understood that despite Peter’s terrible failing, he still had faith and commitment to Jesus. These words called Peter to nurture and protect Christ’s followers.
21:18 ^m you will stretch out your hands: Jesus was probably predicting crucifixion, which according to tradition is how Peter died.

• others will dress you (literally bind you): Jesus alludes to captivity, bondage, and even crucifixion—victims were often tied to the cross.
21:19 ⁿ The rest of Peter’s life was a ministry tending the flock of God, and his martyrdom was a kind of death that glorifies God.

• Follow me: This might require suffering and death (see 13:16 ^o; 15:18-21 ^p).
Summary for John 21:20-22: 21:20-22 ^q “What about him, Lord?” Peter asked Jesus about the fate of John, wondering if he, too, would experience martyrdom. Jesus’ answer was abrupt: It was not Peter’s business to know how or when John would die. Peter’s only task was to follow Jesus, which John was already doing. This episode forms the core of John’s concept of discipleship: What matters most for the disciple of Jesus is to follow him and do his will, come what may.
21:23 ^r Jesus’ words to Peter spread, causing some to conclude that John would not die until Jesus returned in his second coming. Jesus’ rebuke to Peter (21:22 ^s) is repeated to answer that rumor. Those among the community of believers who believed this rumor were thus instructed to abandon any speculation about John. According to tradition, John died peacefully in Ephesus at an old age, surrounded by fellow believers.