John 21:17
King James Version (KJV)
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.
Translations
John 21:17 - Amplified Bible
He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.
John 21:17 - American Standard Version
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, 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.
John 21:17 - Bible in Basic English
He said to him a third time, Simon, son of John, am I dear to you? Now Peter was troubled in his heart because he put the question a third time, Am I dear to you? And he said to him, Lord, you have knowledge of all things; you see that you are dear to me. Jesus said to him, Then give my sheep food.
John 21:17 - Darby Bible
He says to him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, art thou attached to me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Art thou attached to me? and said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. Jesus says to him, Feed my sheep.
John 21:17 - English Standard Version
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, 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 everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
John 21:17 - King James Version
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.
John 21:17 - La Biblia de las Americas
Le dijo* por tercera vez: Simòn, hijo de Juan, ¿me quieres? Pedro se entristeciò porque la tercera vez le dijo: ¿Me quieres? Y le respondiò: Señor, tù lo sabes todo; tù sabes que te quiero. Jesùs le dijo*: Apacienta mis ovejas.
John 21:17 - The Message
Then he said it a third time: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, "Do you love me?" so he answered, "Master, you know everything there is to know. You’ve got to know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I’m telling you the very truth now: When you were young you dressed yourself and went wherever you wished, but when you get old you’ll have to stretch out your hands while someone else dresses you and takes you where you don’t want to go." He said this to hint at the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And then he commanded, "Follow me."
John 21:17 - New American Standard Bible
He *said to him the third time, "Simon, {son} of John, 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, "Tend My sheep.
John 21:17 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy
Jesùs le dijo por tercera vez: "Simòn, hijo de Juan, ¿Me quieres?" Pedro se entristeciò porque la tercera vez le dijo: "¿Me quieres?" Y Le respondiò: "Señor, Tù lo sabes todo; Tù sabes que Te quiero." "Apacienta Mis ovejas," le dijo Jesùs.
John 21:17 - World English Bible
He says to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?" Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, "Do you have affection for me?" He said to him, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
John 21:17 - Young's Living Translation
He saith to him the third time, `Simon, [son] of Jonas, dost thou dearly love me?` Peter was grieved that he said to him the third time, `Dost thou dearly love me?` and he said to him, `Lord, thou hast known all things; thou dost know that I dearly love thee.` Jesus saith to him, `Feed my sheep;
John 21:17 - Additional Comments
It is reasonable to assume Jesus asked Peter three times, because Peter had denied Jesus three times (Matt 26:34, Matt 26:69-75).
As Peter said, Jesus knows all, so Jesus did not need to ask it three times. He did that for Peter's sake (even though it frustrated Peter), so Peter in his mind has assked the question, and knows for sure that his love is real for Jesus. Possibly also for the sake of those around, even though they may not have been within hearing range. (It appears at least John heard, because he added it to his gospel!)
We may not agree emotionally with God's decisions - Peter became frustrated, even though Jesus had His reasons for asking three times. We need to be confident that God has His ultimate supreme purpose for whatever He presents to us.
Notice that mere obedience is not what Jesus seeks from us, but also love. Jesus must affirm Peter's love, before He asks for Peter's obedience (verse 19).
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