Peter, Do You Love Me?

When Jesus resurrects from the dead, He appears to some of His disciples by the Sea of Galilee, where they had been fishing all night yet had caught nothing. Jesus called to them to cast the net on the right side, which resulted in them catching so many fish that they couldn’t pull the net in. John recognized Jesus and shouted: “It’s the Lord!” Everyone ran to Him except Peter. He got dressed, jumped into the water, and focused on the fish. He was the last to arrive. His conscience was heavy; he couldn’t look Jesus in the eye after denying Him.

After they ate, Jesus asked Peter:

“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” Peter answered: “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” Jesus said: “Feed My lambs.” Then He asked a second time: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter replied: “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” Jesus said: “Tend My sheep.” The third time, Jesus asked:

“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved that He asked a third time and said: “Lord, You know all things. You know that I love You.” Jesus replied: “Feed My sheep.” (John 21:15–17)

It may seem unclear why Jesus would ask Peter the same question three times, but in the Greek it becomes more evident why. Two different Greek words for love are used here: phileō and agápē. Phileō is affectionate love — the love we have for family and close friends. Agápē is unconditional love — the devotion God expects from man, with all our mind and will. It can also be described as the love of God, an unconditional love regardless of who we may have been or what we may have done.

So the first time, Jesus asked: “Peter, do you agápē Me — do you love Me unconditionally?” Peter replied: “Lord, You know I phileō You.” The second time, the same. The third time, Jesus asked: “Peter, do you phileō Me?” Peter was grieved and replied: “Lord, You know that I phileō You.” And that’s when Jesus said: “Feed My sheep.” Peter was given another chance!