Jim McDonald

John 21 is the concluding chapter of John’s account of the life of Jesus. There are a number of things John did not record of this period of time, notably Jesus’ ascension back to His Father. However, John was not the only writer which did not record that event; Matthew makes no mention of it either. However, while John does not mention the actual occurrence, he recorded several instructions in which Jesus promised He would return to His Father, and that He would return to carry His own with Him, so that they might be where He was (John 14:1-3). Yet while Jesus’ ascension is not mentioned, John provides some very interesting episodes of Jesus’ works that is found in no other account of Jesus’ life, but which information adds much to the life of Jesus.

John 21 records a miracle Jesus performed: the draught of fishes (vv. 4-11). There were two such miracles although some confuse the two as one. The first draught of fishes was recorded early in Jesus’ ministry (He had taught from a boat, then instructed Peter to launch out into the deep for a draught of fishes). The miracle in John 21 came at the conclusion of His ministry, after His resurrection. In the first event, Peter expressed resignedly obedience, adding, “We have toiled all night and taken nothing.” In the second occurrence, the command was obeyed but without the statement, “We have toiled all night and taken nothing.” In the event in Luke 5, the nets were breaking and the two boats were sinking because there were so many fish, while in John’s account of the second miracle the nets did not break, but it was very large number of fish (v. 6).

Before the Lord worked this miracle, He appeared to the disciples while yet in Jerusalem — then the disciples had returned to Galilee. Seven of them had gone fishing together, following Peter’s lead and experienced “fisherman’s luck”. Jesus (as a stranger) appeared on the shore of Galilee and having asked and learned they had caught nothing, He told them, “Cast the net on the right side and ye find.” John said, “It is the Lord” and Peter threw off his outer garment, leaped into the lake, and helped draw the vessel to the shore. As they approached land they saw a burning fire with bread cooking, and were told to bring some of what they had caught. Jesus and the disciples ate breakfast in silence. Then  Jesus broke the silence by asking, “Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these?” (John 21:15).

Once Jesus asked Peter, “Lovest thou me more than these?” He twice He shortened it to “Lovest thou me?” Peter responded, “Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.” Then Jesus responded, “Feed my lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep.” The third time Jesus asked, Peter was distressed that He had asked three times if he loved Him. Peter said, “Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee” (John 21:17).

There are many interesting details about this exchange. Some are clearly perceived in English while others can only be discerned by reading the original language it was spoken in. It could hardly be coincidental that as Peter had vociferously rejected that he would deny the Lord, that Jesus reminded Peter of his profession when he asked him three times if he loved Him. Guilt must have smitten Peter’s heart as he remembered his pledge of loyalty (although Jesus had said they would all abandon Him), coupled with his denying and then finally cursing and swearing that he did not know Jesus.

Three times Jesus asked, “Lovest thou me?” But the first time He added, “More than these.” To what or whom did Jesus refer when He said “more than these”? Did He mean “Do you love more than these other disciples?” or “Do you love me more than fishing?” or “Do you love me more than you love your companions?” It seems obvious that the question was asked to remind Peter of his boast: “Though all these others deny you, I will never do so.” It must have been a bitter pill for Peter to swallow to recognize that his faith and love for Jesus was no greater than theirs. To his humiliation he had miserably failed his boast.

Finally, the first two times Jesus asked, “Do you love me?” He used the word “agapao” signifying complete devotion. Peter did confess he loved the Lord, but he would not use  “agapao;” he used the word “phileo.” He was unwilling to say his love for Jesus was “agapao.” Instead, he used the word “phileo,” knowing in his heart he had not attained the height that the word “agapao” demanded. The third time Jesus asked His question of Peter, Jesus used the word “phileo”. The distinction between these two words are defined by W.E. Vines in his Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (p. 382). He wrote, “The context itself indicates that agapao in the first two questions suggests the ‘love that values and esteems’ (cp. Revelation 12:11). It is an unselfish ‘love,’ ready to serve. The use of phileo in Peter’s answers and the Lord’s third question conveys the thought of cherishing the object above all else, of manifesting an affection, characterized by constancy, from the motive of the highest veneration.” Regret with bitter tears, humiliation in acknowledging his love for the Lord did not exceed that of the other disciples, renewed confession of a love for Jesus with genuine repentance: Peter was restored to his role of feeding the Lord’s lambs, tending His sheep, and feeding His sheep. This was a task for all the apostles, not exclusively reserved to Peter.

What would our response be to the same question were Jesus to ask of us, “Lovest thou me more than these? Our family? Our possessions? Our time? We answer that question every day by what comes first in our lives. Remember, Jesus said, “If a man love me, he will keep my commandments” (John 15:14). “Lovest thou me more than these?”