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John 21:15–19

Jesus Reinstates Peter

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”o

Jesus said, Feed my lambs.”p

16 Again Jesus said, Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, Take care of my sheep.”q

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 me?”r He said, “Lord, you know all things;s you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, Feed my sheep.t 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of deathu by which Peter would glorify God.v Then he said to him, Follow me!”w

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John 21:15–19 — English Standard Version (ESV)

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.” He said to him, Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, Follow me.”

John 21:15–19 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

John 21:15–19 — New Living Translation (NLT)

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

16 Jesus repeated the question: Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

17 A third time he asked him, Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, Then feed my sheep.

18 I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, Follow me.”

John 21:15–19 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, 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 again a second time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, Tend My sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, Do you love Me?”

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, Follow Me.”

John 21:15–19 — New Century Version (NCV)

15 When they finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, Take care of my sheep.”

17 A third time he said, Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, Do you love me?” Peter said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!”

He said to him, Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger, you tied your own belt and went where you wanted. But when you are old, you will put out your hands and someone else will tie you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 (Jesus said this to show how Peter would die to give glory to God.) Then Jesus said to Peter, Follow me!”

John 21:15–19 — American Standard Version (ASV)

15 So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

John 21:15–19 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

15 When therefore they had dined, Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. He says to him, Feed my lambs. 16 He says to him again a second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. He says to him, Shepherd my sheep. 17 He says to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, art thou attached to me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Art thou attached to me? and said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. Jesus says to him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say to thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst where thou desiredst; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and bring thee where thou dost not desire. 19 But he said this signifying by what death he should glorify God. And having said this, he says to him, Follow me.

John 21:15–19 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

15 After they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than the other disciples do?” 

Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” 

Jesus told him, “Feed my lambs.” 

16 Jesus asked him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” 

Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” 

Jesus told him, “Take care of my sheep.” 

17 Jesus asked him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” 

Peter felt sad because Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” So Peter said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” 

Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep. 18 I can guarantee this truth: When you were young, you would get ready to go where you wanted. But when you’re old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will get you ready to take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to show by what kind of death Peter would bring glory to God. After saying this, Jesus told Peter, “Follow me!” 

John 21:15–19 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”

Feed My lambs,” He told him.

16 A second time He asked him, Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”

Shepherd My sheep,” He told him.

17 He asked him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.”

Feed My sheep,” Jesus said. 18 I assure you: When you were young, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 19 He said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God. After saying this, He told him, Follow Me!”

John 21:15–19 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

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.” Jesus said to him, Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, Follow me.”

John 21:15–19 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

15 Now when they had eaten 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 again a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Shepherd my sheep!” 17 He said to him a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed because he said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything! You know that I love you!” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep! 18 Truly, truly I say to you, when you were young, you tied your clothes around yourself and walked wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will tie you up and carry you where you do not want to go. 19 (Now he said this to indicate by what kind of death he would glorify God.) And after he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me!”

John 21:15–19 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

15 When Jesus and the disciples had finished eating, Jesus spoke to Simon Peter. He asked, “Simon, son of John, do you really love me more than these others do?”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered. “You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus asked, “Simon, son of John, do you really love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 Jesus spoke to him a third time. He asked, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter felt bad because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He answered, “Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 What I’m about to tell you is true. When you were younger, you dressed yourself. You went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands. Someone else will dress you. Someone else will lead you where you do not want to go.”

19 Jesus said this to point out how Peter would die. His death would bring glory to God.

Then Jesus said to him, “Follow me!”

John 21:15–19 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

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.”

16 He said to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, Shepherd My sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, Tend My sheep.

18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.”

19 Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, Follow Me!”


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