John 21:15-17

It is God’s will that all of His creation be saved. It is His will that we show the love of God to all people that they will see His loving kindness and longsuffering toward man in us. No greater love has ever been shown than the King of Kings who gave up His life in exchange for ours. We show our love for Him through our love for others in sharing with them the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.


More than these means more than the other disciple. On two different occasions Peter had claimed extraordinary love for Christ, even comparing himself to other men. Peter denied the Lord at least three times. Here he affirmed his love for the Lord for the third time.

Tend means to shepherd. Lambs need to be fed; sheep need to be guided. Peter would need to care for diverse people in different ways, as Christ had done with His disciples.

John 21:15-17

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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.”

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that love You.”

He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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, “Feed My sheep."