John 21:15

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.

📖 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

• 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.'

• 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.

• 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 shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
• 2 Cor 5:14-15 : 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if one died for all, then all died: 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and rose again.
• Gal 5:6 : 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision matters nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.
• Eph 6:24 : 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
• 1 Tim 4:15-16 : 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine; continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
• 1 John 4:19 : 19 We love Him because He first loved us.
• Heb 4:13 : 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight; but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
• Heb 12:12-13 : 12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 And make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
• Heb 13:20 : 20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
• 1 Pet 1:8 : 8 Whom having not seen you love; in whom, though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
• 1 Pet 2:2 : 2 As newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby:
• 1 Pet 2:25 : 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
• 1 Pet 5:1-4 : 1 The elders among you I exhort, who am also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by compulsion, but willingly; not for dishonest gain, but with a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you shall receive a crown of glory that does not fade away.
• John 8:42 : 42 Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love me: for I came out and came from God; neither did I come of myself, but he sent me.
• Rom 14:1 : 1 Accept the one who is weak in faith, but not to engage in contentious debates.
• Rom 15:1 : 1 We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
• John 14:15-24 : 15 If you love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Helper, that he may abide with you forever; 17 The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you see me: because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 He who has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is who loves me: and he 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 will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world? 23 Jesus answered and said to him, If anyone loves me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me does not keep my words: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's 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 Therefore, that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, It is the Lord. When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his fisher's coat (for he was stripped) and jumped into the sea.
• John 21:12 : 12 Jesus said to them, Come and dine. None of the disciples dared ask him, Who are you? knowing that it was the Lord.
• John 21:16-17 : 16 He said to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him, Feed my sheep. 17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, 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 all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep.
• Acts 20:28 : 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
• Gen 33:13 : 13 And he said to him, My lord knows that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me; and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.
• 2 Sam 7:20 : 20 And what can David say more to you? for you, Lord GOD, know your servant.
• 2 Kgs 20:3 : 3 I beg You, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before You in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done what is good in Your sight. And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
• Ps 78:70-72 : 70 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: 71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. 72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
• Jer 3:15 : 15 And I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
• Jer 23:4 : 4 And I will set shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking, says the LORD.
• Ezek 34:2-9 : 2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds; Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 You eat the fat, and clothe yourselves with the wool, you kill them that are fed: but you do not feed the flock. 4 The diseased you have not strengthened, nor have you healed that which was sick, nor have you bound up that which was broken, nor have you brought back that which was driven away, nor have you sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty you have ruled them. 5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became food for all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yes, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none searched or sought after them. 7 Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; 8 As I live, says the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and did not feed my flock; 9 Therefore, O you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; 10 Thus says the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; nor shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be food for them.
• Ezek 34:23 : 23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
• Matt 10:37 : 37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
• Matt 16:17 : 17 And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
• Matt 18:10 : 10 Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I say to you, That in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
• Matt 25:34-45 : 34 Then the King will say to those on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me 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, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you? 39 Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you? 40 And the King will answer and say to them, Truly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me. 41 Then he will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food; I was thirsty and you gave me no drink. 43 I was a stranger and you did not take me in; naked and you did not clothe me; sick and in prison and you did not visit me. 44 Then they also will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to you? 45 Then he will answer them, saying, Truly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.
• Matt 26:33 : 33 Peter answered and said to him, Though all men shall be offended because of you, yet I will never be offended.
• Matt 26:35 : 35 Peter said to him, Though I should die with you, yet will I not deny you. Likewise also said all the disciples.
• Mark 14:29 : 29 But Peter said to him, Although all shall be offended, yet I will not.
• Luke 12:32 : 32 Do not fear, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
• Luke 22:32 : 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith does not fail: and when you have returned, strengthen your brethren.
• John 1:42 : 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, he said, You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas, (which is translated, A Stone.)
• 1 Cor 3:1-3 : 1 And I, brothers, could not speak to you as to spiritual, but as to carnal, even as to infants in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with solid food: for until now you were not able to bear it, neither yet now are you able. 3 For you are still carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are you not carnal, and walk as men?
• 1 Cor 8:11 : 11 And through your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
• 1 Cor 16:21-22 : 21 The greeting is in my own hand—Paul. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Maranatha.
• John 13:37 : 37 Peter said to him, Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for your sake.
• Eph 4:14 : 14 That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive;
• 1 John 5:1 : 1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child born of them.
• Rev 2:23 : 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.