19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
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."
19 He said this to hint at the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And then he commanded, "Follow me."
19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, "Follow me."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 21:19
Commentary on John 21:15-19
(Read John 21:15-19)
Our Lord addressed Peter by his original name, as if he had forfeited that of Peter through his denying him. He now answered, Thou knowest that I love thee; but without professing to love Jesus more than others. We must not be surprised to have our sincerity called into question, when we ourselves have done that which makes it doubtful. Every remembrance of past sins, even pardoned sins, renews the sorrow of a true penitent. Conscious of integrity, Peter solemnly appealed to Christ, as knowing all things, even the secrets of his heart. It is well when our falls and mistakes make us more humble and watchful. The sincerity of our love to God must be brought to the test; and it behoves us to inquire with earnest, preserving prayer to the heart-searching God, to examine and prove us, whether we are able to stand this test. No one can be qualified to feed the sheep and lambs of Christ, who does not love the good Shepherd more than any earthly advantage or object. It is the great concern of every good man, whatever death he dies, to glorify God in it; for what is our chief end but this, to die to the Lord, at the word of the Lord?