John 21:15

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?

At the close of the feast the Lord turned to Peter with this question, one that he repeated twice, and which has caused much perplexity.. think that it is easily explained in view of what had passed only. short time before. On the night of the betrayal, when Christ intimated that his disciples would forsake him in the trial he was about to suffer, Peter spoke up and asserted that though all others forsook him, he would never forsake him. What Christ had said might be true of the rest, but he was so loving, faithful and true, that he would die for him. Yet before the cock crow of the next morning he had thrice denied that he knew Jesus, even with oaths. Such was the collapse of the confident disciple who "loved the Master better than these" other disciples. Since that fall, Christ had met with Peter among the rest of the disciples but had not referred to this subject, but now has come the time for. restoration of Peter. Hence he probes him with the question, Lovest thou me better than these? That question would at once recall to Peter his boastful claim, his awful fall, and would pierce him to the heart. He no longer claims that he is the truest of the apostolic band, does not even affirm confidently, but answers, Thou knowest my heart; thou knowest that. love thee.

Then said the Savior, Feed my lambs.

The modesty of Peter's answer is better indicated in the Greek than in our version. The word used by the Savior for "lovest" is. very strong term; that used by Peter for "I love" is far less strong. After his shameful denial he was ashamed to even claim the highest love. Christ then, once more, assigns. work to Peter. If he loves him he may feed his lambs, take care of the tender disciples of the Lord. The Good Shepherd will give him work as an under shepherd.