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John 21

John 21:17 KJV (With Strong’s)

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17
He saith
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
lego (Greek #3004)
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
KJV usage: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Pronounce: leg'-o
Origin: a primary verb
unto him
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
the third time
tritos (Greek #5154)
third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly
KJV usage: third(-ly).
Pronounce: tree'-tos
Origin: ordinal from 5140
, Simon
Simon (Greek #4613)
Simon (i.e. Shimon), the name of nine Israelites
KJV usage: Simon. Compare 4826.
Pronounce: see'-mone
Origin: of Hebrew origin (08095)
, son of Jonas
Ionas (Greek #2495)
Jonas (i.e. Jonah), the name of two Israelites
KJV usage: Jonas.
Pronounce: ee-o-nas'
Origin: of Hebrew origin (03124)
, lovest thou
phileo (Greek #5368)
to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while 25 is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as 2309 and 1014, or as 2372 and 3563 respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head); specially, to kiss (as a mark of tenderness)
KJV usage: kiss, love.
Pronounce: fil-eh'-o
Origin: from 5384
me
me (Greek #3165)
me
KJV usage: I, me, my.
Pronounce: meh
Origin: a shorter (and probably originally) form of 1691
? Peter
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
Petros (Greek #4074)
a (piece of) rock (larger than 3037); as a name, Petrus, an apostle
KJV usage: Peter, rock. Compare 2786.
Pronounce: pet'-ros
Origin: apparently a primary word
was grieved
lupeo (Greek #3076)
to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad
KJV usage: cause grief, grieve, be in heaviness, (be) sorrow(-ful), be (make) sorry.
Pronounce: loo-peh'-o
Origin: from 3077
o because
hoti (Greek #3754)
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
KJV usage: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Pronounce: hot'-ee
Origin: neuter of 3748 as conjunction
he said
epo (Greek #2036)
to speak or say (by word or writing)
KJV usage: answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare 3004.
Pronounce: ep'-o
Origin: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from 2046, 4483, and 5346)
unto him
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
the third time
tritos (Greek #5154)
third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly
KJV usage: third(-ly).
Pronounce: tree'-tos
Origin: ordinal from 5140
, Lovest thou
phileo (Greek #5368)
to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while 25 is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as 2309 and 1014, or as 2372 and 3563 respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head); specially, to kiss (as a mark of tenderness)
KJV usage: kiss, love.
Pronounce: fil-eh'-o
Origin: from 5384
me
me (Greek #3165)
me
KJV usage: I, me, my.
Pronounce: meh
Origin: a shorter (and probably originally) form of 1691
? And
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
he said
epo (Greek #2036)
to speak or say (by word or writing)
KJV usage: answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare 3004.
Pronounce: ep'-o
Origin: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from 2046, 4483, and 5346)
unto him
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
, Lord
kurios (Greek #2962)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV usage: God, Lord, master, Sir.
Pronounce: koo'-ree-os
Origin: from κῦρος (supremacy)
, thou
su (Greek #4771)
thou
KJV usage: thou. See also 4571, 4671, 4675; and for the plural 5209, 5210, 5213, 5216.
Pronounce: soo
Origin: the person pronoun of the second person singular
q knowest
eido (Greek #1492)
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent 3700 and 3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know
KJV usage: be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare 3700.
Pronounce: i'-do
Origin: a primary verb
all things
pas (Greek #3956)
apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole
KJV usage: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Pronounce: pas
Origin: including all the forms of declension
; thou
su (Greek #4771)
thou
KJV usage: thou. See also 4571, 4671, 4675; and for the plural 5209, 5210, 5213, 5216.
Pronounce: soo
Origin: the person pronoun of the second person singular
knowest
ginosko (Greek #1097)
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
KJV usage: allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
Pronounce: ghin-oce'-ko
Origin: a prolonged form of a primary verb
that
hoti (Greek #3754)
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
KJV usage: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Pronounce: hot'-ee
Origin: neuter of 3748 as conjunction
I love
phileo (Greek #5368)
to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while 25 is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as 2309 and 1014, or as 2372 and 3563 respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head); specially, to kiss (as a mark of tenderness)
KJV usage: kiss, love.
Pronounce: fil-eh'-o
Origin: from 5384
thee
se (Greek #4571)
thee
KJV usage: thee, thou, X thy house.
Pronounce: seh
Origin: accusative case singular of 4771
. Jesus
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
Iesous (Greek #2424)
Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
KJV usage: Jesus.
Pronounce: ee-ay-sooce'
Origin: of Hebrew origin (03091)
saith
lego (Greek #3004)
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
KJV usage: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Pronounce: leg'-o
Origin: a primary verb
unto him
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
, Feed
bosko (Greek #1006)
to pasture; by extension to, fodder; reflexively, to graze
KJV usage: feed, keep.
Pronounce: bos'-ko
Origin: a prolonged form of a primary verb (compare 977, 1016)
my
mou (Greek #3450)
of me
KJV usage: I, me, mine (own), my.
Pronounce: moo
Origin: the simpler form of 1700
sheep
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
probaton (Greek #4263)
something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e. (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: sheep(-fold).
Pronounce: prob'-at-on
Origin: probably neuter of a presumed derivative of 4260
.
o
Lam. 3:33•  (Lam. 3:33)
q
John 16:30• 30Now we know that thou knowest all things and hast no need that one ask thee: herein we believe that thou didst come out from God. (John 16:30)

More on:

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Jonas; Jona,
Peter,
Sheep,
Simon,
The Lord Jesus

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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the third.
John 13:38• 38Jesus answereth [him], Thy life for me wilt thou lay down? Verily, verily, I say to thee, In no wise shall a cock crow till thou shalt have denied me thrice. (John 13:38)
;
John 18:27• 27Peter therefore denied again, and immediately a cock crew. (John 18:27)
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Matt. 26:73‑74• 73And after a little those that stood came up and said to Peter, Truly thou also art [one] of them, for thy speech too maketh thee manifest.
 74Then he began to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And immediately a cock crew. (Matt. 26:73‑74)
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Rev. 3:19• 19I, as many as I love, rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent. (Rev. 3:19)
grieved.
1 Kings 17:18•  (1 Kings 17:18)
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Lam. 3:33•  (Lam. 3:33)
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Matt. 26:75• 75And Peter remembered the word of Jesus as having said, Before a cock crow, thou wilt thrice deny me. And going forth without he wept bitterly. (Matt. 26:75)
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Mark 14:72• 72And [immediately] a second time a cock crew. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus said to him, Before [the] cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon he wept. (Mark 14:72)
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Luke 22:61‑62• 61And the Lord turned round and looked upon Peter, and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he said to him, Before [the] cock crows Today, thou shalt deny me thrice.
 62And Peter, going forth without, wept bitterly. (Luke 22:61‑62)
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2 Cor. 2:4‑7• 4For out of much tribulation and distress of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that ye should be grieved, but that ye may know the love that I have very abundantly unto you.
 5But if anyone hath grieved, he hath grieved not me, but in part (that I may not press heavily) all of you.
 6Sufficient to such an one [is] this rebuke, which [is] by the many;
 7so that, on the contrary, ye should rather forgive and comfort, lest somehow such an one be swallowed up with excessive grief. (2 Cor. 2:4‑7)
;
2 Cor. 7:8‑11• 8Because if even I grieved you in the letter, I do not regret, if even I did regret; for I see that that letter if even for a time grieved you.
 9Now I rejoice, not that ye were grieved but that ye were grieved unto repentance, for ye were grieved according to God that in nothing ye might suffer damage from us.
 10For grief according to God worketh repentance to salvation not to be regretted: but the grief of the world worketh out death.
 11For, behold, this very thing that ye were grieved according to God, how much diligence it wrought out in you, nay self-clearing, nay indignation, nay fear, nay longing desire, nay zeal, nay avenging! In everything did ye prove yourselves to be pure in the matter. (2 Cor. 7:8‑11)
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Eph. 4:30• 30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God by whom ye were sealed for redemption-day. (Eph. 4:30)
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1 Peter 1:6• 6Wherein ye exult, now for a little (if it is needful) put to grief in manifold trials, (1 Peter 1:6)
Lord.
John 2:24‑25• 24But Jesus himself did not trust himself to them, inasmuch as he knew all [men],
 25and because he needed not that any should testify of man, for himself knew what was in man. (John 2:24‑25)
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John 16:30• 30Now we know that thou knowest all things and hast no need that one ask thee: herein we believe that thou didst come out from God. (John 16:30)
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John 18:4• 4Jesus then, knowing all things that were coming on him, went out and saith to them, Whom seek ye? (John 18:4)
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Jer. 17:10•  (Jer. 17:10)
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Acts 1:24• 24And they prayed and said, Thou, Lord, knower of the hearts of all, show of these two which one thou hast chosen, (Acts 1:24)
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Acts 15:8• 8And the heart-knowing God bore them witness giving [them] the Holy Spirit, even as to us also: (Acts 15:8)
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Rev. 2:23• 23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth reins and hearts; and I will give you each according to your works. (Rev. 2:23)
thou knowest that.
John 21:15• 15When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon [son] of Jonah, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I dearly love thee. He saith to him, Feed my lambs. (John 21:15)
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Josh. 22:22•  (Josh. 22:22)
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1 Chron. 29:17•  (1 Chron. 29:17)
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Job 31:4‑6•  (Job 31:4‑6)
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Psa. 7:8‑9•  (Psa. 7:8‑9)
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Psa. 17:3•  (Psa. 17:3)
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2 Cor. 1:12• 12For our boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience that in holiness f and sincerity before God, not in carnal wisdom but in God's grace, we conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly towards you. (2 Cor. 1:12)
Feed.
John 21:15‑16• 15When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon [son] of Jonah, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I dearly love thee. He saith to him, Feed my lambs.
 16He saith to him again a second time, Simon [son] of Jonah, lovest thou me? He saith to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I dearly love thee. He saith to him, Tend my sheep. (John 21:15‑16)
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John 12:8• 8for the poor ye have always with you, but me ye have not always. (John 12:8)
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John 14:15• 15If ye love me, keep my commandments; (John 14:15)
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John 15:10• 10I f ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. (John 15:10)
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Matt. 25:40• 40And the King answering shall say to them, Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] to one of the least of these my brethren, ye did [it] to me. (Matt. 25:40)
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2 Cor. 8:8‑9• 8I speak not by way of commandment, but through the diligence of others proving the genuineness of your love also.
 9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes he being rich became poor, in order that ye by his poverty might become rich. (2 Cor. 8:8‑9)
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2 Peter 1:12‑15• 12Wherefore I shall be ready always to put you in mind of those things, though knowing [these] and established in the present truth.
 13And I deem [it] right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting [you] in mind,
 14knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle is speedy, according as our Lord Jesus Christ manifested to me,
 15and I will be diligent also that at every time ye may have [it] after my departure to call to mind these things. (2 Peter 1:12‑15)
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2 Peter 3:1• 1This already a second epistle, beloved, I write to you, in both which I stir up your pure mind by putting in remembrance, (2 Peter 3:1)
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1 John 3:16‑24• 16Herein we know love, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought for the brethren to lay down our lives.
 17But whoso may have the world's means of living, and behold his brother having need, and shut up his bowels from him, how abideth the love of God in him?
 18Dear children, let us not love with word nor with the tongue, but in deed and truth.
 19And herein we shall know that we are of the truth, and shall persuade our hearts before him,
 20that if our heart condemn us, [it is] that God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
 21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God,
 22and whatsoever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments, and do the things pleasing in his sight.
 23And this is his commandment, that we believe the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and that we love one another, even as he gave us commandment.
 24And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And herein we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he gave to us. (1 John 3:16‑24)
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3 John 7‑8• 7for they went forth for the name's sake, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
 8We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow-workers with the truth. (3 John 7‑8)
• Not a word of blame or reproach; but the Lord for the third time questions him, and for the first time takes up his own word of special affection. Did not his threefold denial appear in the light of the threefold appeal, and, above all, of that word expressive of endearing love. (“Notes on John 21:15-17” by W. Kelly)
• Peter is reduced to acknowledge that it required the omniscience of God to know that he, who had boasted of having more love than all others for Jesus, had really any affection for Him at all. (“John 21” by J.N. Darby)
• The links between Peter and Christ known on earth made him fit to pasture the flock of the Jewish remnant-to feed the lambs, by showing them the Messiah as He had been, and to act as a shepherd, in guiding those that were more advanced, and in supplying them with food. (“John 21” by J.N. Darby)
• With these words He destroys the false foundation, the heart is made bare, and Peter is made fit to feed the sheep. The weakness was manifested, and perfect grace, and Jesus confides His beloved sheep, the most precious objects of His love, to him who had learned his weakness and to have no confidence in himself. (“John 21”)
• Not a word of blame or reproach; but the Lord for the third time questions him, and for the first time takes up his own word of special affection. Did not his threefold denial appear in the light of the threefold appeal, and, above all, of that word expressive of endearing love? (“John 21” by W. Kelly)
• Only He who of Himself knows all without an effort, only He could give credit to Peter’s heart, spite of his mouth and all appearances. (“John 21” by W. Kelly)
• Feed them, says the Lord. To tend or rule pastorally is not forgotten; but positive nourishment, as of the lambs at the beginning, remains to the last the abiding task of the shepherd, the habitual need of the sheep; but it demands enduring and deep love, not to scold, perhaps, or govern, but to feed, and not least of all the least of all Christ’s sheep. Only the love of Christ can carry one through it. (“John 21” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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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 knowesta all things; thou knowestc that I am attached to thee. Jesus says to him, Feed my sheep.

JND Translation Notes

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a
Oida, see Note at 1 Cor. 8.1.
c
Objective knowledge.

W. Kelly Translation

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17
He saith to him the third time, Simon [son] of Jonah, dost thou dearly love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Dost thou dearly love me? and he said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I dearly love thee. Jesus saith to him, Feed my sheepa.

WK Translation Notes

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a
Or, "little sheep."