Introduction
In the Gospel of John 21:15–17, the risen Christ asks Peter three times: “Do you love me?” and commands him to “feed my lambs… tend my sheep… feed my sheep.” Far from being a simple exchange, this passage carries profound theological implications for the early Church and continues to shape Catholic understanding of apostolic authority, pastoral care, and papal primacy.
This article unpacks the meaning of John 21:15–17 by examining its scriptural foundation, early Christian practices, the testimony of the Apostolic and Church Fathers, theological reflections, and official Catholic teaching as expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC).
1. Scriptural Analysis of John 21:15–17
The Threefold Question
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Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. This mirrors Peter’s threefold denial during Christ’s Passion (John 18:17, 25–27).
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The repetition emphasizes both restoration and commissioning: Peter’s past failure is forgiven, and his leadership is reaffirmed.
The Commands of Christ
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“Feed my lambs” (boske ta arnia) — care for the young and vulnerable members of the flock.
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“Tend my sheep” (poimaine ta probata) — exercise governance, guidance, and protection.
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“Feed my sheep” (boske ta probata) — sustain the mature faithful through teaching, sacrament, and pastoral oversight.
Biblical Parallels
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Matthew 16:18–19 — Jesus gives Peter the “keys of the kingdom,” signifying authority.
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Luke 22:32 — Jesus prays for Peter’s faith, commissioning him to “strengthen your brothers.”
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Ephesians 4:11–13 — speaks of pastors and teachers given to the Church for building up the Body of Christ.
Thus, John 21:15–17 affirms Peter’s unique role as chief shepherd under Christ.
2. Early Christian Practices and Apostolic Witness
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Acts 1–15: Peter is portrayed as the spokesman and leader among the apostles (Acts 1:15; Acts 2:14; Acts 15:7).
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Antioch & Rome: Peter’s leadership extended beyond Jerusalem, linking apostolic witness to the later Roman See.
The early Christian community clearly recognized Peter’s special pastoral responsibility.
3. Church Fathers on John 21:15–17
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St. Augustine (Homilies on John, 123.5): “Peter, do you love me? Feed my sheep. This was said not only to Peter, but to the successors of Peter.”
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St. John Chrysostom (Homily 88 on John): sees the threefold question as a deliberate reinstatement of Peter and entrusting him with the whole Church.
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St. Cyprian of Carthage (On the Unity of the Church, 1st ed.): “On him [Peter] He builds the Church, and to him He gives the sheep to feed.”
These Fathers highlight the link between Peter’s primacy and the pastoral mission of the Church.
4. Theological and Scholarly Insights
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Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI): emphasized that John 21 shows Christ entrusting Peter with responsibility for the universal Church, not as domination, but as service of love.
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Modern Biblical Scholars (Raymond Brown, Richard Bauckham): note the Johannine emphasis on love as the basis for authority. Leadership in the Church must be rooted in love of Christ.
5. Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
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CCC 553: Jesus entrusted to Peter the keys of the kingdom, making him shepherd of the whole flock.
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CCC 881: “The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the ‘rock’ of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock.”
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CCC 882: The Pope, successor of Peter, has supreme, full, immediate, and universal power over the Church.
Thus, John 21:15–17 is directly tied to Catholic teaching on papal primacy and pastoral responsibility.
6. Comparison Table
| Aspect | John 21:15–17 | Catholic Interpretation | Protestant Interpretation (general) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Threefold Question | Jesus asks Peter 3x | Restoration & commissioning of Peter | Restoration of Peter, but not exclusive primacy |
| Command to Feed/Tend | Symbolic shepherding | Entrusting pastoral authority over the universal Church | General pastoral duty shared by all apostles |
| Relation to Matt 16:18 | Complements “keys” passage | Confirms Petrine primacy | Often read separately from Matt 16 |
| Continuity | Leads to apostolic succession | Basis of papacy (Pope as successor of Peter) | Emphasizes collegial/apostolic leadership, no papacy |
Conclusion
John 21:15–17 is far more than a touching reconciliation between Jesus and Peter. It is a decisive moment in which Christ entrusts His flock to Peter’s pastoral care, establishing him as the visible shepherd of the universal Church.
Early Christian writings, patristic testimony, theological reflection, and the Catechism consistently affirm this passage as foundational for the doctrine of Peter’s primacy and, by extension, the papacy in the Catholic Church.
In the words of St. Augustine: “It was to Peter that Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep,’ because Peter represented the unity of the Church.”
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