This Week's Worship

Seeing the Truth This Time

The dialogue between Jesus and Peter in John 21:15–17 is frequently interpreted as a narrative of the restoration of Peter’s discipleship following his denial. While this reading is broadly defensible, it risks narrowing the scope of restoration to relational or vocational categories. A closer examination suggests that the restoration enacted in this passage is fundamentally theological rather than merely functional. Jesus does not simply reinstate Peter into discipleship or leadership; instead, through the threefold questioning, he confronts Peter with the necessity of reaffirming his understanding of Jesus’ true identity. The repeated inquiry concerning love functions not as an emotional test but as a means of eliciting Peter’s renewed confession of faith in Jesus as Savior. Consequently, the passage reframes restoration as the reconstitution of theological conviction—specifically, Peter’s trust in and recognition of Christ—prior to any restoration of ministerial responsibilities 

John 21:15-17 (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?”