15 So when they had finished breakfast , Jesus said to Simon Peter , "Simon , son of John , do you love Me more than these ?" He said to Him, "Yes , Lord ; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My lambs ." 16 He said to him again a second time , "Simon , son of John , do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes , Lord ; You know that I love You." He said to him, " Shepherd My sheep ." 17 He said to him the third time , "Simon , son of John , do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time , "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord , You know all things ; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, " Tend My sheep . 18 "Truly , truly , I say to you, when you were younger , you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished ; but when you grow old , you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 21:15-18
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?