John 21:15-19 | Jesus and Peter Take A Walk
Verse 15 --
The man Simon Peter had three names, each of which seem to have some significance.
“given name."
“commission" name, showing his apostleship.
Cephas - the Aramaic version of Peter, “commission" name.
How were these names used?
Simon - is used 76 times, only once after Acts 11.
Peter - is used alone 144 times, 23 in Matthew, 19 in Mark, 19 in Luke, 19 in John, and the remaining 64 times, largely in Acts, with a five uses in Galatians and two in Peter's epistles.
Simon Peter - used 18 times, 15 of those in John, and always used by the writer in a narrative sense.
Cephas - Used exclusively by Paul except for John 1:42.
It is interesting that Jesus always used Simon except for Luke 22:34, where He predicts Peter's denial, and Matthew 16:18, where He makes allusion of petros and petra.
One could make a mild conclusion that Simon emphasizes his humanity, Peter his apostleship, and Simon Peter a combination thereof.
In this verse, the author uses Simon Peter, perhaps out of respect since he would have been writing deeply into the kingdom ministry of Peter. Jesus uses Simon to make reference to his frailty.
Jesus wants to know if Simon loves Him more than theseαγαπαω [agapao], the intrinsic love from which all acts of love arise.
Peter answers, saying, thou knowest that I love thee. Peter uses the word φιλέω [phileo], which is the demonstration of agapao.
Much has been made of the difference of the words. However, I suspect more has been made than grammar allows. Could it be that Jesus asks, Do you have an intrinsic love for Me? and Peter responds*, just look at my actions, they show it!*
Since phileo is the demonstration of agapao, then the former would be impossible without the latter.
Jesus responds with the command to Feed my lambs, a reference to the nation of Israel.
Verse 16 --
Jesus asks the second time. Often in Jewish thought the second was an opportunity to reaffirm or deny.
The only real difference in verse 16 is in the word feed and sheep.
The Greek in verse 16 for feed is more typical and could be translated shepherd my sheep, while verse 15 is more specifically related to feeding.
Furthermore, Jesus switches from lambs (v. 15) to sheep* *(v. 16).
If there is any theological significance it is not obvious.
Verse 17 --
The third time (three being the number of fullness) Jesus uses the word which Peter has been using, φιλέω [phileo] when He asks lovest thou me? This time Peter was grieved because of the doubt that seems transparent in the repetition.
One reason I reject any significance of the two words for love is that, even though Jesus changed His wording the third time, Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? It seems that Peter took this to be a single question despite the change in wording. Peter received the third instruction to Feed my sheep.
It is possible though speculative that Jesus did this because Peter denied the Lord three times, and that the Lord graciously gave Peter three times to affirm the Lord.
Verses 18-19 --
The phrase Verily, verily is used 25 times in the Bible, all in the Gospel of John. This is the last occurrence.
The Greek word is ἀμήν [amen]. The English word amen came from Hebrew via Greek and Latin and into most other languages of the world.
It is a universal word and“the best known word in human speech" (Strong's Enhanced Lexicon).
Jesus gives a prophecy signifying by what death he should glorify God, telling him that he would be taken whither thou wouldest not when thou shalt be old.
Tradition has its legends about Peter's death. However, there is very little beyond tradition to give support. Furthermore, the traditions stem mostly from the Catholic church, which has reason to create its own history.
A Note about Peter's Ministry
Peter became the de facto leader of the early assembly of Jewish believers.
Peter lived and taught a message of loving Christ and obedient service.
It is undeniable that Paul was later given revelation that changed the message significantly.
“we just had a misunderstanding," but that “Paul has received new information."
Galatians 2:7 makes it clear that they went forth with two messages.
Peter's focus was on how much he loved the Lord, Paul's message is how much the Lord loves us. Peter's focus was based in obedience, Paul's on the finished work of Christ.
It is not that Peter was wrong, it is that Peter was preaching before the revelation of a transition in programs.
As we share the Gospel today, we must be careful to do it in a Pauline pattern rather than under the pattern of Peter. For the strongest example of the difference it makes, compare Biblical evangelism to that of Roman Catholicism.
