John 21:17
“He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
What does John 21:17 mean?
After Peter's denial of Jesus just days before, this triple question mirrors that threefold betrayal, giving Peter a chance to reaffirm his love. Jesus asks the same thing three times, and each time Peter's answer stays steady: yes, I love you, you know my heart. Peter's grief shows he understands the weight of what he's being asked, yet he keeps answering anyway. What makes this moment tender is that Jesus doesn't demand Peter prove himself through words alone. Instead, "Feed my sheep" is Jesus saying: your love for me will show itself through how you care for others. It's a restoration, a calling back to purpose, and an invitation to move forward despite past failure. If you've ever felt like your mistakes disqualify you from serving or mattering, Peter's story whispers that there's still work for your hands and love to give.