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NASB | John 21:15 ¶ So when they had finished breakfast, 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, "Tend My lambs." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 21:15 ¶ So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do--with total commitment and devotion]?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend]." Jesus said to him, "Feed My lambs." |
Bible Question: What are the original words used for(LOVE)in the three times Jesus asks Peter "do you LOVE me" I believe that three different words are used for love in the original text, like eros, felio, and agapee. spelling ???? |
Bible Answer: Greetings LJW! The words translated ‘love’ in John 21:15-17 are all verbs, but their meaning is similar to the noun forms. I have included the text of John 21:12-17 along with the transliteration of the verb form used in each instance (in parenthesis.) John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘‘Simon son of John, do you truly love (agapao - Strong’s # 25) me more than these?" ‘‘Yes, Lord," he said, ‘‘you know that I love (phileo - Strong’s # 5368) you." Jesus said, ‘‘Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, ‘‘Simon son of John, do you truly love (agapao - Strong’s # 25) me?" He answered, ‘‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love (phileo - Strong’s # 5368) you." Jesus said, ‘‘Take care of my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, ‘‘Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘‘Do you love (phileo - Strong’s # 5368) me?" He said, ‘‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love (phileo - Strong’s # 5368) you." Jesus said, ‘‘Feed my sheep. It is unclear whether or not there is any great distinction to be made in the various verbs used. It is possible that Jesus was challenging the depth of Peter’s love and that Peter was unwilling to say that he ‘agapao’ed Jesus. He would only say that he ‘phileo’ed Him. Thus, in the third question, Jesus is challenging even that level of commitment in Peter. However, there is no clear distinction between the two verbs in Scripture, so most scholars simply see a stylistic difference here. Whatever the case may be, there is a clear allusion to Peter’s three-fold denial of Christ. Just as Peter thrice denied Christ, in this passage he thrice affirms his love for Christ. Many see here an affirmation of Peter by Christ. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |