Do You Love Me More Than These?

Today at church I was asked a question about the following passage of Scripture. It is one of the more ambiguous passages that has generated more than its fair share of doctrines.

The story takes place as recorded by John in his Gospel, and is after Peter has denied Jesus three times (as Jesus predicted he would). Jesus is subsequently crucified and then is raised from the dead. Although he has appeared to the disciples in his risen state Peter is still obviously doubting his calling and goes back fishing.

We pick up the story after Jesus has appeared on the shore and told the disciples to cast out their nets again after a fruitless night – the net is overflowing this time, Peter recognizes Jesus and is told to bring some fish in and have breakfast.

^{JN 21:15}When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

^{JN 21:16} Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"

He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

^{JN 21:17} 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?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ I tell you the truth, 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 death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"[NIV]

The question I was asked is “Who or what are the 'these'?”

Unfortunately the Greek text is ambiguous as to the exact identity. In fact there are three possibilities as to the identity of these and the question could be translated these three ways:

1. Do you love me more than the fish/fishing equipment?

2. Do you love me more than these disciples?

3. Do you love me more than these other disciples love me?

It is possible that Jesus was referring to the first possibility the fish and nets. After all, Peter had seemingly turned his back on his vocation or calling by going back fishing for fish and not men. So in that sense this is a fair interpretation.

Some people make a big deal about the fact that although Jesus asks Peter three times “Do you love me” the Greek text uses agapao for the first two questions and phileo for the third. As is distinguished by the NIV adding “truly” before the first two “love”s. Although these terms can mean a different sense of love, they also carry a lot of overlap and seem to be used interchangeably of both God and men. However, if you were going to apply a more significant weight to agapao then it would seem ironic to be comparing it with fish.

The second possibility would also be a strain. Would Jesus be putting Peter in the position of choosing between the disciples and himself? It would seem perhaps a little out of character, and out of context to suddenly ask such a thing.

The third possibility could well carry more authority if we look at the context. This passage is viewed by some as the commissioning of Peter as the first Pope – a fulfillment of a (misinterpretation of) an earlier passage of scripture. While I do not agree with that doctrine, we are certainly dealing with a conversation that began earlier in scripture. We find it in Matthew just after the last supper when Judas had been dismissed to do his deed and Jesus went with the disciples to the Mount of Olives to pray.

^{MT 26:31} Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

" `I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."

^{MT 26:33} Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."

^{MT 26:34} "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."

^{MT 26:35} But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.[NIV]

Peter is recorded as saying that he would never fall away, even if all the others did. In other words he is saying that his love for Jesus was more than that of all the others.

The parallel between Peter's denial of Jesus three times, and Jesus asking Peter “Do you love me” three times is obvious and pointed out by all commentators. So it is not unreasonable to think that as Jesus was introducing the second part of the conversation, that he would first recall Peter's bold statement that he loved Jesus more than all the others.

^{JN 21:15}When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"

You notice that Peter did not boast that his love was greater this time around – he just replied that he did indeed love Jesus. But there is little doubt that the question would have brought to mind the last conversation and his earlier boast.

At this point in time, I would have to conclude it most likely that the later scenario fits the context best.