THE LORD QUESTIONS PETER
JOHN 21:15-25
Introduction:
Here is this last portion of the Gospel of John we see the Lord questioning Peter about his love for the Lord. Peter as well as the other Apostles had gone through a great deal of stress during the Lord’s trials and death on the cross. The Lord’s resurrection had caused them to rejoice, but still they had things to learn.
In this portion of chapter 21 we are looking at Peter and his response to the Savior about his love for the Lord.
I. THREE TIMES PETER SAID HE DID NOT EVEN KNOW THE LORD
John 18:17, 25, 27, “Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not. 25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. 27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.”
A. The Lord’s first question to Peter regarding his love for the Lord, v. 15.
1. Simon Son of Jonas (John), “Do you truly love Me more than these?” v. 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.”
a. Jesus speaks to him by name, the more to affect him, Luke 22:31, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:”
b. The Lord had called him when he pronounced him blessed, Simon Barjona, Matthew 16:17, “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”
2. Jesus probably was referring to His disciples, in light of Peter’s proud statement that he never would fall away no matter what others did, Matthew 26:33, 35, “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.”
a. Luke records it thus, Luke 22:33, “And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.”
b. John records Peter’s words, John 13:37, “Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.”
3. No matter how great a person is, he may fall, 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
B. The Lord’s second and third questions about Peter love for Him, v. 16.
1. The word “love” in the first two questions is the Greek word “agapao” which “can be know only from the actions it prompts.
a. God’s love is seen in the gift of His Son, 1 John 4:9-10, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
b. This is NOT the love of affection, that is, it was not drawn out by any excellency in it objects, Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
2. The word “love” in the third question is the Greek word “phileo” which represents tender affection.
a. It is used for the love of the Father for the Son, John 3:35, “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.”
b. It is used for the Believer, John 14:21, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”
II. PETER’S RESPONSE TO THE QUESTIONS
A. The first two questions, “Simon, do you love Me?”
1. Peter responds, “Lord, you know very well (suggest fullness of knowledge) that I love you.” 2 Samuel 7:20, “And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.”
2. God knows all of us perfectly, Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
B. Peter’s response to the third question.
1. Peter responds with the same word as before in the first phrase of the statement.
2. In the second phrase the word “know” is different in the Greek meaning “come to know and understand,” John 8:55, “Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.”
3. Feed my Sheep, Psalm 78:70-72, “He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: 71 From followingl the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. 72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.”
CONCLUSION:
The Lord’s questions to Peter were very carefully designed not to shame him. The Lord had waited until they all had eaten and then He posed His questions. This was a teaching session and not a rebuke. Peter had already repented in tears, so the Lord was teaching all of His disciples what needed to be learned from this.