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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - John 21:17 - 21:17
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Lovest thou me? (phileis me). This time Jesus picks up the word phileō used by Peter and challenges that. These two words are often interchanged in the N.T., but here the distinction is preserved. Peter was cut to the heart (elupēthē, first aorist passive of lupeō, to grieve) because Jesus challenges this very verb, and no doubt the third question vividly reminds him of the three denials in the early morning by the fire. He repeats his love for Jesus with the plea: “Thou knowest all things.”
Feed my sheep (boske ta probatia). Many MSS. both here and in Joh 21:16 read probata (sheep) instead of probatia (little sheep or lambs).