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    John 21:15-25
    ​Lesson 217

    Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

    In this lesson:
     
    Last week Peter denied Jesus three times (John 18:25-27). 
    Today, Jesus forgives and commissions Peter.
     
    Epilogue (21:24-25).
    "Christ at 33."
    By the German artist Heinrich Hofman (1824-1911). 
    Study Tip: 
     
    "Write down what you learn.  Don't forget the things the Bible has to teach you!  Use a journal or notebook to keep track of the insights you pick up as you study."
    ​ 
    C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)      

    The Gospel According to St. John

    The King James Bible    ​

    John 21:15-25
    "Feed my sheep"

    15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
     
    16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
     
    17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
     
    18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
     
    19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
     
    20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
     
    21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
     
    22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
     
    23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
     
    24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
     
    25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
    ​Margin notes: 
     
    "Simon, son of Jonas." (21:15) - "Simon, son of John."
     
    "Lovest thou me more than these?" (21:15) - Many Bible scholars believe Jesus is asking Peter if he loves Him more than the other apostles.  However, some scholars feel Jesus is asking if Peter loves Him more than he loves the fishing business.  Remember, Peter returned to fishing after the crucifixion (John 21:3). 
     
    "Verily." (21:18) - Means "truly."
     
    "Thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest." (21:18) - "You dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted."
     
    "When thou shalt be old." (21:18) - Peter will live another thirty-five years, then be crucified upside down ("Thou shalt stretch forth thy hands.")
     
    "Seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?" (21:20) - Peter is referring to John, the author of this Gospel, and events at the last supper as recorded in John 13:23-25.
     
    "Lord, and what shall this man do?" (21:21) - Peter is asking Jesus how John will die.
     
    "If I will that he tarry till I come." (21:22) - "If I wish him to live until I come (again)."
     
    "There are also many other things which Jesus did." (21:25) - Confirmed in John 20:30.


                                                  New Living Translation 
     

    John 21:15-25                    

    15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"
     
     "Yes, Lord," Peter replied, "you know I love you."
     
     "Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him. 
     
    16 Jesus repeated the question: "Simon son of John, do you love me?" 
     
      "Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know I love you."
     
      "Then take care of my sheep," Jesus said. 
     
    17 A third time he asked him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
     
      Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you."    Jesus said, "Then feed my sheep.

    18 "I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go."

    19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, "Follow me."

    20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved-the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, "Lord, who will betray you?"

    21 Peter asked Jesus, "What about him, Lord?"

    22 Jesus replied, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me."

    ​23 So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn't die. But that isn't what Jesus said at all. He only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"

    24 This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate. 

    ​25 Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.
    ​This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible.  However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
    Today's question:
     
    1. Why did Jesus ask Peter if he loved Him three times? (21:15-17)



    You can receive these lessons up to five times per week.  If you'd like to change how often you receive them, let me know. 
    Answer: (Do you agree?)
     
    1. Jesus was helping Peter get past his feelings of guilt.  He repeated the question, "do you love me," three times as a service to Peter.  Only days earlier, Peter denied knowing Christ three times (Matthew 26:69-75; John 18:15-27).  By asking Peter to profess his love three times, Jesus removed the onus of infidelity from his heart and restored him in the eyes of the other disciples.



    Application thought for the day: 
     
    What if Jesus asked if you loved Him? 
    How would you answer? 
    Would you live differently if you knew Jesus would ask you next week?  Next year?
    On the day you die?
    This is the final lesson on the "The Gospel According to St. John."  However, your conversation with God shouldn't end here.  Study the Bible each day on your own.
     
    Next up, The Acts of the Apostles.
    ​Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible."  All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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