It is vital to the understanding of this passage to keep these two Greek words in mind while noting their meaning and usage in this passage. Some ancient writers (such as Jerome) held that there were 153 different types of fish in the world; this represents a "full harvest" of all of the world. 15 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, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Quite contrary to making Peter out to be Chief Dunderhead Disciple Par Excellence, John shows us—by the use of the Greek … Village Church of Wheaton John 21: 15-19 April 12, 2009 ©2009 Ron and Betty Teed 4 affection. 153 is the added numerical value of the Greek words "Peter" and "fish." (12:25), of the world loving you (15:19), of the Father loving the disciples (16:27), of Jesus loving John the Apostle (20:2), and Jesus' questioning Peter in John 21. The Greek verbs that appear in the passage—agapao and phileo (you may recognize them in their noun forms, agape and philos)—can’t be defined as “neatly” as the pulpiteers proclaim. 5:20, 11:3, 11:36, 12:25, 15:19, 16:27, 20:2, 21:15, 21:16, 21:17), and this includes the Father loving (phileo-love) the Son in Jn. When Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” in John 21:15–16, He used the Greek word agape, which refers to unconditional love. 5:20, 11:3, 11:36, 12:25, 15:19, 16:27, 20:2, 21:15, 21:16, 21:17), and this includes the Father loving (phileo-love) the Son in Jn. There are a lot of dynamics in play in the passage. Let us look at the verse again, this time using the Greek for the words meaning love:3 15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, In fact, Peter actually ignored part of the first question. John 21:15-19. He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love (phileo) You." It suggests a lower quality of love than the first word. 5:20, Lazarus, whom Jesus loved (phileo-love) in Jn. Three times, Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” Three times, Peter affirms his love, and Jesus calls him to be a godly shepherd. In John 21:15-19, Jesus and Simon Peter eat breakfast and chat about love and lambs. In Revelation (also a writing of John) this word is used of the type of love that God has when he rebukes his children (3:19) as well as of people loving falsehood (22:15). On the other hand, John uses phileo (in various forms) about 13 times (Jn. iii. David Guzik :: Study Guide for John 21 [A new version of this page can be found here] ... ii. My brother and I were going fishing at a … There is also an interesting contrast when you look at the Greek words for “love” used in John 21:15–17. 5:20, Lazarus, whom Jesus loved (phileo-love) in Jn. On the other hand, John uses phileo (in various forms) about 13 times (Jn. John 21:15-19, John 18:18, Luke 5:1-11 August 23, 2009 Morning Service Introduction Have you ever been stuck? Those who dig into the Greek text of John 21 quickly discover that John uses two different words for “love.” In verse 15 the question is different than it is in the other two times. Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love (agape) Me more than these?" In John 21:15-17 (ESV), we read:. 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