📎 Presentation: Do You Love Me?
Source: View original Google Doc Converted: 2026-04-22
Context: John 21
John 21 is an epilogue — added after what seems like a natural conclusion in John 20:30–31. It takes place at the Sea of Galilee (Tiberias), after the Resurrection. The disciples have returned to fishing — perhaps reverting to their former lives, uncertain what the Resurrection means for their vocation.
Jesus appears on the shore, unrecognized. He tells them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. They catch 153 large fish — and the Beloved Disciple recognizes: “It is the Lord!” (John 21:7). Peter dives into the water and swims to shore.
After breakfast, Jesus turns to Peter.
The Full Text (John 21:15–19)
“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, ‘Feed my lambs.’” — John 21:15
“He said to him 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, ‘Tend my sheep.’” — John 21:16
“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 everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” — John 21:17
The Triple Confession Mirrors the Triple Denial
The structure is deliberate: Peter denied Jesus three times (John 18:15–18, 25–27). Jesus restores him with a triple confession in the same setting: around a charcoal fire.
| The Denial (John 18) | The Restoration (John 21) |
|---|---|
| First denial: “I am not” | First question: “Do you love me more than these?” |
| Second denial: “I am not” | Second question: “Do you love me?” |
| Third denial: “I do not know the man” | Third question: “Do you love me?” |
| Charcoal fire (John 18:18) | Charcoal fire (John 21:9) |
Each denial is answered by an affirmation of love. Each affirmation is met with a commission: feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.
The Greek: Agapao vs. Phileo
A significant textual detail: Jesus uses different Greek words for love in the three questions, and Peter uses a different word in his answers.
- ἀγαπάω (agapaō) — love as total, self-giving commitment; the love of John 3:16 (“God so loved the world”)
- φιλέω (phileō) — love as tender affection, friendship, personal warmth
| Exchange | Jesus asks | Peter answers |
|---|---|---|
| First | agapaō (do you love me totally?) | phileō (I am fond of you) |
| Second | agapaō (do you love me totally?) | phileō (I am fond of you) |
| Third | phileō (do you even like me?) | phileō (I am fond of you) |
At the third question, Jesus descends to Peter’s word — and that is what causes Peter to grieve. The question is no longer “can you rise to my love?” but “are you even where you are?”
Some scholars debate whether this distinction is sustained. But the Fathers took it seriously.
”More Than These” — What Does Jesus Mean?
“Do you love me more than these?” — Three possible referents:
- More than the other disciples love me?
- More than you love these fish / this fishing life?
- More than these other disciples do?
Peter had said at the Last Supper: “Even if all fall away because of you, I will never fall away” (Matt 26:33). He claimed superior love — and then denied Christ three times. Now Jesus asks: Do you still claim to love me more than these?
Peter’s chastened answer: “You know that I love you.” No more comparisons.
Patristic Commentary
“Three times Peter had denied; three times he confesses. What the tongue had wounded, the tongue heals. He who had thrice denied by word, thrice redeems by confession.” — St. Augustine
“Notice: after each confession, a task is given. Love for Christ is proven not by feelings but by service: ‘Feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.’ The shepherd is the one who loves the Lord.” — St. John Chrysostom
“Peter wept bitterly after his denial. He did not know whether he could be forgiven. The triple question of love is the Lord’s answer to Peter’s bitter tears.” — St. Cyril of Alexandria
“The Lord asks ‘do you love me?’ before giving any commission. This is the order of the Christian life: love first, service second. Service without love is hollow.” — Origen of Alexandria
The Commission: Feed My Sheep
Three commands, in three forms:
- “Feed my lambs” (βόσκε τὰ ἀρνία μου) — nourish the young, the weak, the new
- “Tend my sheep” (ποίμαινε τὰ πρόβατά μου) — shepherd, guide, protect the whole flock
- “Feed my sheep” (βόσκε τὰ πρόβατά μου) — nourish the mature
The repetition is intentional: the commission is total. And the sheep are not Peter’s sheep — they are my sheep, Jesus says. The shepherd serves the owner of the flock.
Personal Application
This passage is not only about Peter. Jesus asks every disciple the same question:
“Do you love me?”
Questions for reflection:
- If Jesus asked you today, “Do you love me?” — what would you honestly answer?
- Are you serving Christ out of love, or out of duty, obligation, or habit?
- Is there a “charcoal fire” moment in your life — a failure, a denial, a moment of cowardice — that still needs to be met by Jesus’ restoring question?
- Who are the “sheep” in your life that you are called to tend and feed?
A Note on Restoration
Peter was not given a probationary period. He was not told to prove himself first. He answered the three questions — and immediately received his full commission.
This is the pattern of Christ’s restoration: full, immediate, complete. Not on probation. Not on trial. Restored.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9