John 21:15-17, is one of the most intriguing passages in the Bible – partly because for a few thousand years people have debated what it means.
The verses showcase a conversation that takes place between Jesus and Peter as they stand on the shore by the Sea of Tiberias.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 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 21:15-17 ESV)
That’s interesting enough at face value. But when you open the hood and look at the original Greek, you discover something else is going on.
The word “love” used by Jesus is different from the word “love” used by Peter.
The Greek word Jesus uses is agapao (ah-gah-PAH-o). The word Peter uses is the Greek word phileo (phil-EH-o).
This is how the passage looks using the actual words from the original Greek:
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agapao) me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love (phileo) you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agapao) me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love (phileo) you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (phileo) 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 (phileo) you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17 ESV)
These two words (agapao vs. phileo) are usually said to be vastly different, with Continue reading