There is an interesting contrast when you look at the Greek words for
“love” used in John
21:15–17. When Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” in John
21:15–16, He used the Greek word agape, which refers to unconditional love. Both times, Peter responded with
“Yes, Lord; you know that I love you,” using the Greek word phileo, which refers more to a brotherly/friendship type of love. It seems that
Jesus is trying to get Peter to understand that he must love Jesus
unconditionally in order to be the leader God is calling him to be. The third
time Jesus asks, “Do you love me?” in John
21:17,
He uses the word phileo,
and Peter again responds with “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love
you,” again using phileo.
The point in the different Greek words for “love” seems to be that Jesus was
stretching Peter to move him from phileo love to agape love.
Whatever the reason for the three-fold “do you love me?” question, Jesus was impressing on Peter how important his new role of tending the flock of Christ’s followers would be. When someone repeats instructions to us over and over, we quickly understand that it’s extremely important for us to heed them. Jesus wanted to make sure Peter understood this vital charge He was tasking him with and the ultimate reason for it, to follow Him and glorify God (John 21:19).
Whatever the reason for the three-fold “do you love me?” question, Jesus was impressing on Peter how important his new role of tending the flock of Christ’s followers would be. When someone repeats instructions to us over and over, we quickly understand that it’s extremely important for us to heed them. Jesus wanted to make sure Peter understood this vital charge He was tasking him with and the ultimate reason for it, to follow Him and glorify God (John 21:19).
