What is the definition of John 21:17? 🙋 🔍
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.
Explanation:
Okay, let’s break down this verse from John 21:17 together. It’s a really important and touching passage about Jesus’ ministry after he was imprisoned.
Here's the explanation in simpler terms:
The Core Idea:
Jesus is talking to Simon (a fisherman who had betrayed him) and asking him if he loves him. Peter is also upset, and he says it again, "You know everything I do! You know that I love you." Jesus then tells Simon to take care of his sheep – meaning to guide and protect them.
Let’s unpack it piece by piece:
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“He saith unto him the third time…”
: Jesus is repeating a question to show he’s serious. It's like saying, "I'm asking you again."
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“Simon, son of Jonas…”
: This identifies Simon as the person being addressed. "Son of Jonas" means he’s a descendant of King David.
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“…lovest thou me?”
: This is the question Jesus is asking. It’s a plea for affection and love from Simon.
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“Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me?”
: Peter is upset because Jesus is repeating the question. He's feeling hurt and perhaps anxious about being treated this way.
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“And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.”
: This is a crucial part. Jesus says, "You know everything I do." Then, he affirms that 💎he💎 loves him. It's a powerful statement of his own affection and trust in Simon.
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“Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
: This is the key instruction. Jesus tells Simon to take care of his flock – meaning to shepherd them, to guide and protect them. It’s a metaphor for caring for those who are vulnerable and need guidance.
What's the Significance?
This verse highlights several important things:
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Jesus' Care:
It shows that Jesus is intensely concerned with Simon and his well-being. He’s not just interested in getting past this situation; he wants to see him thrive.
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Love & Trust:
The statement "You know everything I do" emphasizes a profound level of trust and understanding. It suggests that Jesus sees Simon as valuable and worthy of his care.
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Guidance & Responsibility:
The instruction to “feed my sheep” underscores the importance of leading and protecting others – mirroring what Jesus does for humanity.
In short, this verse is a beautiful expression of Jesus’ love and concern for those who are vulnerable, and it's a call to action for us to care for one another.
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Do you want me to:
💎 Explain any specific part in more detail?
💎 Connect this verse to other Bible stories or teachings?