Definition: 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: “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." “Simon, son of Jonas…” : This identifies Simon as the person being addressed. "Son of Jonas" means he’s a descendant of King David. “…lovest thou me?” : This is the question Jesus is asking. It’s a plea for affection and love from Simon. “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. “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. “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: 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. 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. 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. --- Do you want me to: Explain any specific part in more detail? Connect this verse to other Bible stories or teachings?