John 21:15 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹⁵ So, after they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you really love me more than these [other disciples do]?” Peter answered Him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” [Note: Since two different Greek words for “love” are used in this conversation, some scholars see a distinction in their meaning. See Butler, Vol. II, pp. 453-457 for a discussion of these views]. Jesus replied to him, “[Then] feed my lambs.”

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹⁵ 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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹⁵ When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do–with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs.

American Standard Version (1901)

¹⁵ 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.

Common English Bible

¹⁵ When they finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹⁵ Then, when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, 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."

John 21:15 Cross References

Matthew 10:37

The person who loves his father and mother more than me does not deserve me [i.e., to be my disciple]. And the person who loves his son or daughter more than me does not deserve me [i.e., to be my disciple].

Matthew 16:17

Jesus replied, “Simon, son of Jonah, you are fortunate [indeed], for this [truth] was not revealed to you by human beings but [rather] by my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 18:10

Make sure you do not look down on any one of these little ones [i.e., humble followers of Christ]. For I tell you, their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

Matthew 26:33

Peter answered Him, “[Even] if everyone [else] has doubts about you, I never will.”

Matthew 26:35

Peter replied to Him, “Even if I have to die with you, still I will not deny [knowing] you.” And all [the rest of] the disciples said the same thing.

Mark 14:29

But Peter said to Him, “Although everyone else will have doubts [about you], I never will.”

Luke 12:32

“[And], do not be afraid, little flock [Note: Jesus refers to His small band of disciples as sheep following Him as their Shepherd], for your Father was pleased to give you the kingdom.

Luke 22:32

But I prayed earnestly for you, that your faith would not fail [to be strong]. And when you have turned back [i.e., from going astray briefly], provide [spiritual] support to your brothers.”

John 1:42

So, Andrew brought Simon Peter to Jesus. [And when] Jesus saw him, He said [to him], “You are Simon, the son of John [Note: Peter’s father is called Jonah in Matt. 16:17]; you will be called Cephas (which means Peter [i.e., “a stone.” See Matt. 16:18]).”

John 13:37

Peter [then] said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow you [there] even now? I am willing to die for you.”

John 16:27

for the Father Himself loves you [i.e., and will grant your requests without my persuasion], because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

John 21:12

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” [But] none of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are you?” because they [already] knew it was the Lord.

John 21:7

So, that disciple whom Jesus loved [i.e., probably the apostle John] said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard it was the Lord, he wrapped his outer robe around him, (for he [had taken it off and] was wearing only his underclothing) and jumped into the lake.

John 8:42

Jesus replied, “If God were [truly] your Father you would love me, because I came from God to be here. For I did not come on my own authority, but God sent me.

Acts 20:28

So, pay close attention to your [own] lives, and to all [members] of the flock [i.e., the congregation] of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [i.e., elders, shepherds or pastors]. Provide [spiritual] food for the church of the Lord which He purchased by [shedding] His own blood.

Acts 20:29

[Because] I know that after I am gone [from here] there will be vicious wolves [i.e., ravaging false teachers] who will come in among you, and they will not spare the flock [i.e., the congregation].

Romans 14:1

But you should welcome [into your fellowship] the person whose faith is weak, and not argue [with him] over questionable matters.

Romans 15:1

Now those of us who are strong [spiritually] should put up with [or, help] the failings of [spiritually] weak people, and not [simply] do what pleases ourselves.

1 Corinthians 8:11

So, this weak brother, for whose sake Christ died, becomes [spiritually] destroyed, [and all] because of your “knowledge” [i.e., you know that such eating is harmless, but your weak brother does not know this, so he is led into sin by your unloving example].

Galatians 5:6

For in [our relationship with] Christ neither the practice of circumcision nor refraining from its practice matters in any way; but [all that really matters is having a genuine] faith [in Christ] that causes us to work [for Him] out of a genuine love [for Him and others].

Ephesians 4:14

Then we will no longer be [spiritual] babies, tossed back and forth [by waves], and blown around by every wind of [false] teaching, [deceived] by the clever trickery of people using deceptive schemes.

Ephesians 6:24

May God’s unearned favor be upon all of those [there] who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Hebrews 13:20

Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep [i.e., the church], through the blood of the never ending Agreement [i.e., Christ’s blood],

Hebrews 4:13

And no created being is hidden from God’s sight, but everything is laid bare and is openly visible to the eyes of God, to whom we must give account.

1 Peter 1:8

Although you have not seen Jesus, you [still] love Him and believe in Him, and this causes you to have an indescribable, glorious joy.

1 Peter 2:2

[So], like newly born babies, you should desire the genuine, spiritual milk [i.e., God’s word. See Heb. 5:12-13], so that by it you may grow toward [final] salvation,

1 Peter 2:25

For you people were wandering away like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 John 4:19

We love [God and others] because God has first loved us.

1 John 5:1

Every person who believes that Jesus is the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one] has been [spiritually] conceived [and eventually born] by God. And everyone who [continually] loves God, who did the conceiving, also [must continually] love the person whom God has [spiritually] conceived.

Revelation 2:23

And I will strike her children dead [or, “kill her children by some terrible calamity” See Ex. 5:3 LXX]. Then all the churches will know that I am the One who searches the inmost being of people. [Note: The Greek says, “searches the kidneys and hearts.” In that day these internal organs stood for the inner thoughts, emotions, etc.]. And I will repay each one of you people according to what you have done.