John 21:16

Plain English Version

Then Jesus asked him again, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter said, “Yes, sir, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “All right, you have to take care of my people properly, just like a shepherd looks after his sheep.”

Cross References

Matthew 2:6

‘Bethlehem is a little town in Judea country, but it is a very important town, because a big boss will be born there. He will really look after God’s people, the Israel nation.’ ” That’s what those Jewish leaders told Herod.

Matthew 25:32

All the people in the world, from every country, they will all come together in front of me. Then I will split all those people into 2 mobs.

Luke 19:10

I am God’s special man from heaven, and I came to earth to look for people that went wrong and got lost, so that I can save them.”

John 18:17

Then that girl said to Peter, “Wait, are you also a follower of that man Jesus?” Peter said, “No, I am not.”

John 18:25

Outside, in the yard, Peter stood next to the fire to keep warm. And somebody said to him, “Are you one of Jesus’s followers too?” Peter said, “No, I am not.”

John 21:17

After that, Jesus asked him again, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Then Peter got a bit upset because Jesus asked him 3 times, “Do you love me?” So Peter said, “Sir, you know everything, and you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “All right, you have to look after my people properly, just like a shepherd takes his sheep to good grass for them to eat.

Acts 20:28

Now you leaders have to make sure you keep on following Jesus properly, and you have to help God’s people to follow him properly too. The Holy Spirit picked you to be their leaders, so look after them properly. Remember, God bought his people with the blood of his own son.

1 Peter 2:25

Before that, you were going the wrong way and getting lost like sheep. But now you have come to Jesus, and he looks after you and shows you the right way to live, just like a man looks after his sheep.

1 Peter 5:2

You church leaders have to look after God’s people. God gave you the job to look after them, so you have to do it properly, like a man with sheep looks after them properly. God wants you leaders to be happy while you do that job. Don’t just do it because you think you have to, or because you want money. Do it because you want to help God’s people.