John 21:15

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?' Peter replied, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my lambs.'

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

¶Ὅτε οὖν ἠρίστησαν, λέγει τῷ Σίμωνι Πέτρῳ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Σίμων, Ἰωνᾶ, ἀγαπᾷς με πλεῖόν τούτων; Λέγει αὐτῷ, Ναὶ, Κύριε· σὺ οἶδας ὅτι φιλῶ σε. Λέγει αὐτῷ, Βόσκε τὰ ἀρνία μου.

Transliteration

When oun ēristēsan, legei to-the Simōni Petrō the Iēsous, Simōn, Iōna, agapas me pleion these? Legei autō, Yes, Kyrie; you oidas that philō you. Legei autō, Boske the arnia of-me.

Grammar Details

• *Hote*: conjunction - when
• *oun*: conjunction - therefore/then
• *ēristēsan*: aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural - they had eaten
• *legei*: present active indicative, 3rd person singular - says
• *Simōni*: dative, masculine, singular - to Simon
• *Petrō*: dative, masculine, singular - to Peter
• *Iēsous*: nominative, masculine, singular - Jesus
• *Simōn*: vocative, masculine, singular - Simon
• *Iōna*: vocative, masculine, singular - of Jonah
• *agapas*: present active indicative, 2nd person singular - do you love
• *me*: accusative, singular - me
• *pleion*: comparative adverb - more than
• *toutōn*: demonstrative pronoun, genitive, neuter, plural - these
• *autō*: dative, masculine, singular - to him
• *Nai*: particle of affirmation - yes
• *Kyrie*: vocative, masculine, singular - Lord
• *sy*: nominative, singular - you
• *oidas*: perfect active indicative, 2nd person singular - you know
• *hoti*: conjunction - that
• *philō*: present active indicative, 1st person singular - I love/have affection for
• *se*: accusative, singular - you
• *Boske*: present active imperative, 2nd person singular - feed
• *arnia*: accusative, neuter, plural - lambs
• *mou*: genitive, singular - of me/my

Word Meanings

• *ēristēsan*: had eaten/had breakfast
• *agapas*: do you love (agapaō - deeper, spiritual love)
• *pleion*: more than/more completely than
• *philō*: I love/have affection for (phileō - friendship love)
• *Boske*: feed/tend/nourish
• *arnia*: lambs/little sheep

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  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.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  When they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, 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.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of John, 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.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  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.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  When they had dyned Iesus sayde to Simon Peter: Simon Ioana lovest thou me more then these? He sayde vnto him: ye Lorde thou knowest that I love the. He sayde vnto him: fede my lambes.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Now wha they had dyned, Iesus sayde vnto Symon Peter: Symo Iohana, louest thou me more then these do? He sayde vnto him: Yee LORDE, thou knowest yt I loue the. He sayde vnto him: Fede my labes.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  So when they had dined, Iesus said to Simon Peter, Simon the sonne of Iona, louest thou me more then these? He said vnto him, Yea Lord, thou knowest that I loue thee. He said vnto him, Feede my lambes.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  So when they had dyned, Iesus saith to Simon Peter: Simon Ioanna, louest thou me more then these? He sayd vnto hym: Yea Lorde, thou knowest that I loue thee. He sayth vnto hym: feede my lambes.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ 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.›

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  When, therefore, they dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, `Simon, `son' of Jonas, dost thou love me more than these?' he saith to him, `Yes, Lord; thou hast known that I dearly love thee;' he saith to him, `Feed my lambs.'

• American Standard Version (1901)

  So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, `son' of John, 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.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of John, 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.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Then when they had taken food, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, is your love for me greater than the love of these others? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you are certain of my love for you. He said to him, Then give my lambs food.

• World English Bible (2000)

  So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Peter’s Restoration Then when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these do?” He replied,“Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus told him,“Feed my lambs.”

Referenced Verses

• Isa 40:11 : 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
• 2 Cor 5:14-15 : 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.
• Gal 5:6 : 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight, but faith working through love does.
• Eph 6:24 : 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. Amen.
• 1 Tim 4:15-16 : 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in them, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
• 1 John 4:19 : 19 We love because He first loved us.
• Heb 4:13 : 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from His sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.
• Heb 12:12-13 : 12 Therefore, strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. 13 Make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
• Heb 13:20 : 20 Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,
• 1 Pet 1:8 : 8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
• 1 Pet 2:2 : 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk so that by it you may grow in your salvation,
• 1 Pet 2:25 : 25 For you were like sheep wandering astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
• 1 Pet 5:1-4 : 1 I urge the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings, and also as one who will share in the glory to be revealed. 2 Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, watching over them—not under compulsion, but freely; not for dishonest gain, but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
• John 8:42 : 42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me.
• Rom 14:1 : 1 Welcome anyone who is weak in faith, but do not engage in disputes over opinions.
• Rom 15:1 : 1 We who are strong ought to bear with the weaknesses of those who are weak, and not to please ourselves.
• John 14:15-24 : 15 If you love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever. 17 The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him, you know him, because he remains with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while, the world will see me no longer, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 The one who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him. 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, 'Lord, how is it that you are going to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?' 23 Jesus answered, 'If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.' 24 The one who does not love me does not keep my words. The word you hear is not my own but belongs to the Father who sent me.
• John 16:27 : 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
• John 21:7 : 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord!' When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer garment around himself (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the sea.
• John 21:12 : 12 Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' None of the disciples dared to ask him, 'Who are you?' because they knew it was the Lord.
• John 21:16-17 : 16 Jesus asked him again, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Take care of my sheep.' 17 The third time, Jesus asked, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt that Jesus asked him a third time, 'Do you love me?' He said, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep.'
• Acts 20:28 : 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
• Gen 33:13 : 13 But Jacob replied, 'My lord knows that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds that are nursing are my responsibility. If they are driven hard even for one day, all the flocks will die.'
• 2 Sam 7:20 : 20 And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord GOD.
• 2 Kgs 20:3 : 3 saying, "Please, LORD, remember how I have walked before You in truth, wholeheartedly, and have done what is good in Your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
• Ps 78:70-72 : 70 He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds. 71 From tending the nursing ewes, He brought him to shepherd Jacob, His people, and Israel, His inheritance. 72 He shepherded them with a heart of integrity and guided them with the skillfulness of his hands.
• Jer 3:15 : 15 Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.
• Jer 23:4 : 4 I will appoint shepherds over them who will care for them, and they will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any be missing, declares the LORD.
• Ezek 34:2-9 : 2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to them, the shepherds: This is what the Lord GOD says, 'Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not shepherds feed the flock? 3 You eat the fat, wear the wool, and slaughter the fattened animals, but you do not feed the flock. 4 You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them harshly and brutally. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild animals; they were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My flock was scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them. 7 Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 8 'As surely as I live,' declares the Lord GOD, 'because My flock has become prey and My flock has become food for every wild animal since there was no shepherd and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD. 10 This is what the Lord GOD says, 'Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand My flock from their hand and stop them from shepherding My flock. The shepherds will no longer feed themselves, for I will rescue My flock from their mouths, so it will no longer be food for them.'
• Ezek 34:23 : 23 I will place over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd.
• Matt 10:37 : 37 The one who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and the one who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
• Matt 16:17 : 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
• Matt 18:10 : 10 See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
• Matt 25:34-45 : 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; 36 I was naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ 40 The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me.’ 41 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not take me in; I was naked, and you did not clothe me; I was sick and in prison, and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not serve you?’ 45 Then he will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.’
• Matt 26:33 : 33 But Peter replied to Him, "Even if everyone else falls away because of You, I will never fall away."
• Matt 26:35 : 35 Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You." And all the disciples said the same.
• Mark 14:29 : 29 Peter said to him, "Even if all fall away, I will not."
• Luke 12:32 : 32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
• Luke 22:32 : 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
• John 1:42 : 42 Then he brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, 'You are Simon son of Jonah. You will be called Cephas' (which when translated is Peter).
• 1 Cor 3:1-3 : 1 And I, brothers and sisters, could not speak to you as spiritual people but as those who are worldly, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, because you were not able to receive it. Even now, you are still not able. 3 For you are still worldly. Since there is jealousy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not worldly and living like mere humans?
• 1 Cor 8:11 : 11 So the weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.
• 1 Cor 16:21-22 : 21 This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let them be accursed. Our Lord, come!
• John 13:37 : 37 'Lord,' Peter asked, 'why can't I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You!'
• Eph 4:14 : 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.
• 1 John 5:1 : 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves His child as well.
• Rev 2:23 : 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.