SEV Biblia, Chapter 21:17
Le dice la tercera vez: Simn, hijo de Jons, ¿me amas? Se entristeci Pedro de que le dijese la tercera vez: ¿Me amas? Y le dice: Seor, t sabes todas las cosas; t sabes que te amo. Le dice Jess: Apacienta mis ovejas.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 21:17
Verse 17. Peter was grieved] Fearing, says St. Chrysostom, lest Christ saw something in his heart which he saw not himself, and which might lead to another fall; and that Christ was about to tell him of it, as he had before predicted his denial.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 17. He saith unto him the third time , etc.] That by these three testimonies, out of his mouth, the thing might be established, and be out of all doubt: Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me ? is it so indeed that thou lovest me? is thy love really so hearty and sincere as thou savest? may it be depended upon? Peter was grieved, because he said unto him the third time, lovest thou me ? because it put him in mind of his having denied his Lord three times; the remembrance of which cut him to the heart and it added to his grief, that his love, which he knew was unfeigned, notwithstanding his conduct, should seem to be suspected: and he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee ; he appeals with great warmth and earnestness to him, as the omniscient God, and the searcher of all hearts, who knows all persons and things, and the secret thoughts, dispositions, and affections of mens minds, for the truth of his love to him; for though he knew the treachery of his own heart, and durst not trust to it; and therefore chose not to be determined by his own assertions, and was well aware that the sincerity of his love might be called in question by fellow Christians, because of his late conduct; but as everything was naked and open to his Lord, with whom he had to do, he lodges and leaves the appeal with him: so every soul that truly loves Christ, whatever Satan, the world, professors, or their own hearts under unbelieving frames, may suggest to the contrary, can appeal to Christ, as the trier of the reins of the children of men, that he it is whom their souls love; and though their love may be greatly tried, and they themselves be sorely tempted by Satan, and suffered to fall greatly; yet their love to Christ can never be lost; the fervency of it may be abated, the exercise of it may be very languid, but the principle itself always remains, as it did in Peter: Jesus saith unto him, feed my sheep . It may be observed from the repetition of this phrase following upon Peters declaration of his love to Christ, that such only are proper persons to feed the lambs and sheep of Christ, who truly and sincerely love him: and in doing which they show their love to him: and who indeed would be concerned in this service, but such? since the work is so laborious, the conduct of those to whom they minister oftentimes is so disagreeable, the reproach they meet with from the world, and the opposition made unto them by Satan, and all the powers of darkness: it is true indeed, there are some that take upon them this work, and pretend to do it, who do not love Christ; but then they are such who feed themselves, and not the flock; and who feed the worlds goats, and not Christs lambs and sheep, and in time of danger leave the flock; only the true lovers of Christ faithfully perform this service, and abide in it by preaching the pure Gospel of Christ, by administering his ordinances, in their right manner, and by directing souls in all to Christ, the heavenly manna, and bread of life. Dr. Lightfoot thinks that by the threefold repetition of the order to feed Christs lambs and sheep, is meant the threefold object of Peters ministry; the Jews in their own land, the Gentiles, and the Israelites of the ten tribes, that were in Babylon.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 15-19 - Our Lord addressed Peter by his original name, as if he had forfeite that of Peter through his denying him. He now answered, Thou knowes that I love thee; but without professing to love Jesus more tha others. We must not be surprised to have our sincerity called int question, when we ourselves have done that which makes it doubtful Every remembrance of past sins, even pardoned sins, renews the sorro of a true penitent. Conscious of integrity, Peter solemnly appealed to Christ, as knowing all things, even the secrets of his heart. It is well when our falls and mistakes make us more humble and watchful. The sincerity of our love to God must be brought to the test; and it behoves us to inquire with earnest, preserving prayer to the heart-searching God, to examine and prove us, whether we are able to stand this test. No one can be qualified to feed the sheep and lambs of Christ, who does not love the good Shepherd more than any earthl advantage or object. It is the great concern of every good man whatever death he dies, to glorify God in it; for what is our chief en but this, to die to the Lord, at the word of the Lord?
Greek Textus Receptus
λεγει 3004 5719 V-PAI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM το 3588 T-ASN τριτον 5154 A-ASN σιμων 4613 N-VSM ιωνα 2495 N-GSM φιλεις 5368 5719 V-PAI-2S με 3165 P-1AS ελυπηθη 3076 5681 V-API-3S ο 3588 T-NSM πετρος 4074 N-NSM οτι 3754 CONJ ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM το 3588 T-ASN τριτον 5154 A-ASN φιλεις 5368 5719 V-PAI-2S με 3165 P-1AS και 2532 CONJ ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM κυριε 2962 N-VSM συ 4771 P-2NS παντα 3956 A-APN οιδας 1492 5758 V-RAI-2S συ 4771 P-2NS γινωσκεις 1097 5719 V-PAI-2S οτι 3754 CONJ φιλω 5368 5719 V-PAI-1S σε 4571 P-2AS λεγει 3004 5719 V-PAI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM ο 3588 T-NSM ιησους 2424 N-NSM βοσκε 1006 5720 V-PAM-2S τα 3588 T-APN προβατα 4263 N-APN μου 3450 P-1GS
Vincent's NT Word Studies
17. Lovest (fileiv). Here Jesus adopts Peter's word. Canon Westcott, however, ascribes Peter's use of filew to his humility, and his hesitation in claiming that higher love which is implied in ajgapav. This seems to me to be less natural, and to be refining too much.
