“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him, Yes, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith to him, Yes, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my sheep. He saith to him the third time, Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he said to him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith to him, Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17, Webster)

“But go, tell his disciples and Peter, that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said to you.” (Mark 16:7, Webster)

Tell His Disciples; And Peter!!

Let’s look at repentance and how we know that Peter was forgiven.

Jesus used the Greek verb “Agapao” for Love, which means “Ardent, Supreme, and Perfect,” while Peter used the Greek verb “Phileo,” which means “to be fond of, to feel friendship for another”. Jesus said unto him, Feed My Lambs, which refers to the newest converts, which need special attention, and who will be entrusted to Peter.

Again in verse 16 Jesus said to him the second time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? At this point the question presents Jesus leaving off the words, “more than these”; however, He does continue to use the strong Greek word “Agapao” for Love; by leaving off these words, Jesus will draw Peter away from a boastful attitude.

He said unto him, Yes, Lord; You know that I love You, yet Peter continuing to use the same Greek verb “Phileo” for Love as He did the first time; this is not a negative, but rather a positive; he is finally seeing that he cannot trust the flesh. He said unto him, Feed My Sheep, so now, Christ using the word “Sheep,” He is speaking of strong, mature Believers.

Finally the third time, Christ asks: Simon, son of Jonah, Do you love Me? Jesus now uses the weaker word “Phileo” for Love, as Peter had used, Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Do you Love Me? However, Peter very well understands that Jesus has Himself now used the lesser word for Love, which says something to the Apostle.

Now Peter, the Apostle knows that Jesus knows all things about him, that which he did, thought, and felt; he also knows that the Lord has wounded his heart in order to train and fit him for the high honor of shepherding that which was most precious to Himself, i.e., the Sheep of John, Chapter 10; You know that I love You, and Jesus, of course, did know.

Jesus said unto him, Feed My Sheep, expresses total and complete confidence.

Forgiven, past, present, and future. Grace, Mercy, Love, Blood, Jesus!

Let the reader remember and realize this conversation happened after the crucifixion and Peter’s three denials. This proves faith and Christ is all one needs, and it most definitely is a symbolic restoration of Peter’s leadership.

The phrase “tell His disciples—and Peter” shows how deliberate Jesus was about restoring Peter.
Jesus didn’t just reinstate him publicly, He made it personal. Jesus literally was saying: “Peter, even after you failed, you’re still counted among my own.” It’s a message of mercy that echoes through every true believer’s life today.

Saul becoming Paul
Dismas, the penitent thief
Peter, the denying apostle
Me, the writer of the article you’re reading

Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name!
Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee, How great thou art,,,, how great thou art

Peter totally flopped, Facebook and Snapchat would have exploded along with telegram, the barbershop and beauty salon would be on fire with the hot topic, shares, likes, posts, tags, and oh the juicy gossip that is said to be Murder by the Holy Spirit, yet many ‘Christians’ carry this sin daily.

Yet, the King of Glory simply said “feed my Sheep “,…………I love you!

“tell His disciples and Peter “. Forgiven, Loved, Redeemed!