KJV: He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
YLT: He saith to him again, a second time, 'Simon, son of Jonas, dost thou love me?' he saith to him, 'Yes, Lord; thou hast known that I dearly love thee;' he saith to him, 'Tend my sheep.'
Darby: He says to him again a second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. He says to him, Shepherd my sheep.
ASV: He saith to him again a second time, Simon,'son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep.
| Λέγει | He says |
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Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: λέγω Sense: to say, to speak. |
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| αὐτῷ | to him |
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Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Root: αὐτός Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself. |
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| πάλιν | again |
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Parse: Adverb Root: πάλιν Sense: anew, again. |
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| δεύτερον | a second time |
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Parse: Adverb Root: δεύτερον Sense: the second, the other of two. |
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| Σίμων | Simon |
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Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Singular Root: Σίμων Sense: Peter was one of the apostles. |
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| Ἰωάννου | [son] of John |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: Ἰωάννης Sense: John the Baptist was the son of Zacharias and Elisabeth, the forerunner of Christ. |
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| ἀγαπᾷς | love you |
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Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular Root: ἀγαπάω Sense: of persons. |
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| με | Me |
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Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular Root: ἐγώ Sense: I, me, my. |
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| Ναί | Yes |
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Parse: Particle Root: ναί Sense: yea, verily, truly, assuredly, even so. |
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| Κύριε | Lord |
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Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Singular Root: κύριος Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord. |
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| οἶδας | know |
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Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular Root: οἶδα Sense: to see. |
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| ὅτι | that |
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Parse: Conjunction Root: ὅτι Sense: that, because, since. |
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| φιλῶ | I dearly love |
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Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular Root: φιλέω Sense: to love. |
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| Ποίμαινε | Shepherd |
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Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular Root: ποιμαίνω Sense: to feed, to tend a flock, keep sheep. |
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| πρόβατά | sheep |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: προβάτιον Sense: any four footed, tame animal accustomed to graze, small cattle (opp. to large cattle, horses, etc.), most commonly a sheep or a goat. |
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| μου | of Me |
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Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular Root: ἐγώ Sense: I, me, my. |
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Greek Commentary for John 21:16
This time Jesus drops the πλεον τουτων pleon toutōn and challenges Peter‘s own statement. Peter repeats the same words in reply. Tend my sheep Present active imperative of ποιμαινω poimainō old verb from ποιμην poimēn (shepherd), “shepherd my lambs” (προβατια probatia diminutive of προβατον probaton sheep). [source]
Again the colder word, but more than these is omitted. [source]
Peter reiterates his former word expressive of personal affection. [source]
A different word: tend, as Rev. See on 1 Peter 5:2. [source]
Some of the best texts read προβάτια , diminutive, little sheep. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 21:16
So Rev., rightly, instead of shall rule. The word involves the whole office of the shepherd - guiding, guarding, folding, as well as feeding. Hence appropriate and often applied to the guides and guardians of others. Homer calls kings “the shepherds of the people.” To David the people said, “The Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed (as a shepherd) my people Israel” (2 Samuel 5:2; compare Psalm 78:70-72). God is often called a shepherd (Genesis 48:15; Psalm 23:1; Psalm 77:20; Psalm 80:1; Isaiah 40:11; John 10:11). Peter, who is bidden by Jesus to shepherd his sheep (John 21:16, ποίμαινε , Rev., tend), calls him the Shepherd of Souls (1 Peter 2:25), and the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4); and in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Hebrews 13:20), he is styled the great Shepherd of the sheep. In Revelation 2:27, rule is literally to shepherd (compare Revelation 19:15); but Christ will shepherd his enemies, not with the pastoral crook, but with a sceptre of iron. Finally, Jesus will perpetuate this name and office in heaven among his redeemed ones, for “theLamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall be their shepherd (Revelation 7:17, Rev.). In this verse the word governor is in harmony with the idea of shepherding, since the word ἡγούμενος originally means one who goes before, or leads the way, and suggests Christ's words about the good shepherd in John 10:3, John 10:4: “He calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out … .He goeth before them, and the sheep follow him.” [source]
The Authorized Version had “shall rule,” but “shepherd” is correct. “Homer calls kings ‹the shepherds of the people‘”(Vincent). In Hebrews 13:20 Jesus is called “the great shepherd of the sheep.” Jesus calls himself “the good shepherd” (John 10:11). Peter calls Christ “the chief shepherd” (1 Peter 2:25). “The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd” (Revelation 7:17). Jesus told Peter to “shepherd” the lambs (John 21:16). Our word pastor means shepherd. [source]
This time Jesus picks up the word πιλεω phileō used by Peter and challenges that. These two words are often interchanged in the N.T., but here the distinction is preserved. Peter was cut to the heart Many MSS. both here and in John 21:16 read προβατα probata (sheep) instead of προβατια probatia (little sheep or lambs). [source]
No article with ποιμην poimēn “a shepherd to the sheep.” He comes in by the door with the sheep whom he leads. Old word is ποιμην poimēn root meaning to protect. Jesus applies it to himself in John 10:16 and implies it here. It is used of Christ in 1 Peter 2:25; Hebrews 13:20. Paul applies it to ministers in Ephesians 4:11. Jesus uses the verb ποιμαινω poimainō to shepherd, to Peter (John 21:16) and Peter uses it to other preachers (1 Peter 5:2) and Paul uses it for bishops (elders) in Acts 20:28. Our word pastor is simply Latin for shepherd. Christ is drawing a sharp contrast after the conduct of the Pharisees towards the blind man between himself and them. [source]
Contracted form of ποιμενιον ποιμνη poimenion ̂ poimnē (John 10:16) already in Luke 12:32 and also in Acts 20:29; 1 Peter 5:2, 1 Peter 5:3. Common in old Greek. Hath made (ετετο etheto). Did make, second aorist middle indicative of τιτημι tithēmi did appoint. Paul evidently believed that the Holy Spirit calls and appoints ministers. Bishops The same men termed elders in Acts 20:17 which see. To shepherd (ποιμαινειν poimainein). Present active infinitive of purpose of ποιμαινω poimainō old verb to feed or tend the flock (ποιμνη ποιμνιον poimnēποιμην poimnion), to act as shepherd (βοσκε poimēn). These ministers are thus in Paul‘s speech called elders (Acts 20:17), bishops (Acts 20:28), and shepherds (Acts 20:28). Jesus had used this very word to Peter (John 21:16, twice την εκκλησιαν του τεου boske feed, Acts 21:15, Acts 21:17) and Peter will use it in addressing fellow-elders (1 Peter 5:2) with memories, no doubt of the words of Jesus to him. The “elders” were to watch over as “bishops” and “tend and feed as shepherds” the flock. Jesus is termed “the shepherd and bishop of your souls” in 1 Peter 2:25 and “the great Shepherd of the sheep” in Hebrews 13:20. Jesus called himself “the good Shepherd” in John 10:11. The church of God The correct text, not “the church of the Lord” or “the church of the Lord and God” (Robertson, Introduction to Textual Criticism of the N.T., p. 189). He purchased (περιποιεω periepoiēsato). First aorist middle of περιποιησιν peripoieō old verb to reserve, to preserve (for or by oneself, in the middle). In the N.T. only in Luke Luke 17:33; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:13. The substantive δια του αιματος του ιδιου peripoiēsin (preservation, possession) occurs in 1 Peter 2:9 (“a peculiar people” = a people for a possession) and in Ephesians 1:14. With his own blood Through the agency of (του τεου dia) his own blood. Whose blood? If tou theou (Aleph B Vulg.) is correct, as it is, then Jesus is here called “God” who shed his own blood for the flock. It will not do to say that Paul did not call Jesus God, for we have Romans 9:5; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13 where he does that very thing, besides Colossians 1:15-20; Philemon 2:5-11. [source]
The same men termed elders in Acts 20:17 which see. To shepherd (ποιμαινειν poimainein). Present active infinitive of purpose of ποιμαινω poimainō old verb to feed or tend the flock (ποιμνη ποιμνιον poimnēποιμην poimnion), to act as shepherd (βοσκε poimēn). These ministers are thus in Paul‘s speech called elders (Acts 20:17), bishops (Acts 20:28), and shepherds (Acts 20:28). Jesus had used this very word to Peter (John 21:16, twice την εκκλησιαν του τεου boske feed, Acts 21:15, Acts 21:17) and Peter will use it in addressing fellow-elders (1 Peter 5:2) with memories, no doubt of the words of Jesus to him. The “elders” were to watch over as “bishops” and “tend and feed as shepherds” the flock. Jesus is termed “the shepherd and bishop of your souls” in 1 Peter 2:25 and “the great Shepherd of the sheep” in Hebrews 13:20. Jesus called himself “the good Shepherd” in John 10:11. The church of God The correct text, not “the church of the Lord” or “the church of the Lord and God” (Robertson, Introduction to Textual Criticism of the N.T., p. 189). He purchased (περιποιεω periepoiēsato). First aorist middle of περιποιησιν peripoieō old verb to reserve, to preserve (for or by oneself, in the middle). In the N.T. only in Luke Luke 17:33; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:13. The substantive δια του αιματος του ιδιου peripoiēsin (preservation, possession) occurs in 1 Peter 2:9 (“a peculiar people” = a people for a possession) and in Ephesians 1:14. With his own blood Through the agency of (του τεου dia) his own blood. Whose blood? If tou theou (Aleph B Vulg.) is correct, as it is, then Jesus is here called “God” who shed his own blood for the flock. It will not do to say that Paul did not call Jesus God, for we have Romans 9:5; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13 where he does that very thing, besides Colossians 1:15-20; Philemon 2:5-11. [source]
Present active infinitive of purpose of ποιμαινω poimainō old verb to feed or tend the flock These ministers are thus in Paul‘s speech called elders (Acts 20:17), bishops (Acts 20:28), and shepherds (Acts 20:28). Jesus had used this very word to Peter (John 21:16, twice την εκκλησιαν του τεου boske feed, Acts 21:15, Acts 21:17) and Peter will use it in addressing fellow-elders (1 Peter 5:2) with memories, no doubt of the words of Jesus to him. The “elders” were to watch over as “bishops” and “tend and feed as shepherds” the flock. Jesus is termed “the shepherd and bishop of your souls” in 1 Peter 2:25 and “the great Shepherd of the sheep” in Hebrews 13:20. Jesus called himself “the good Shepherd” in John 10:11. [source]
Ἄνωθεν ( ἄνω above) adds to πάλιν the idea of going back to the beginning. Its primary meaning is from above; thence, from the first, reckoning in a descending series. So Luke 1:3; Acts 26:5. Such combinations as this are not uncommon in N.T. and Class. See, for instance, Acts 18:21; Matthew 26:42; Acts 10:15; John 21:16. But these additions to πάλιν are not pleonastic. They often define and explain it. Thus, John 21:16, πάλιν marks the repetition of Jesus' question, δεύτερον the number of the repetition. He asked again, and this was the second time of asking. [source]
First aorist active indicative of διδωμι didōmi In 1 Corinthians 12:28 Paul uses ετετο etheto (more common verb, appointed), but here repeats εδωκεν edōken from the quotation in Ephesians 4:8. There are four groups The titles are in the predicate accusative Each of these words occurs in 1 Corinthians 12:28 (which see note for discussion) except ποιμαινω poimenas (shepherds). This word poimēn is from a root meaning to protect. Jesus said the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11) and called himself the Good Shepherd. In Hebrews 13:20 Christ is the Great Shepherd (cf. 1 Peter 2:25). Only here are preachers termed shepherds (Latin pastores) in the N.T. But the verb poimainō to shepherd, is employed by Jesus to Peter (John 21:16), by Peter to other ministers (1 Peter 5:2), by Paul to the elders (bishops) of Ephesus (Acts 20:28). Here Paul groups “shepherds and teachers” together. All these gifts can be found in one man, though not always. Some have only one. [source]
Better, Rev., tend, since the verb denotes all that is included in the office of a shepherd - guiding, guarding, folding, no less than feeding, which latter is expressed by βόσκω . There is, doubtless, a reminiscence in the word of Christ's charge to Peter (John 21:15-17). Both words are used there: “Feed ( Βόσκε ) my lambs” (John 21:15); “tend ( ποίμαινε ) my sheep” (John 21:16); “feed ( βόσκε ) my sheep” (John 21:17). The A. V. obliterates the distinction by rendering all three feed. Bengel rightly remarks, “Feeding is part of tending.” See on Matthew 2:6. [source]
First aorist active imperative of ποιμαινω poimainō old verb, from ποιμην poimēn (shepherd) as in Luke 17:7. Jesus used this very word to Peter in the interview by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:16) and Peter doubtless has this fact in mind here. Paul used the word to the elders at Miletus (Acts 20:28). See 1 Peter 2:25 for the metaphor. [source]
“Shall shepherd them,” future active of ποιμαινω poimainō (from ποιμην poimēn shepherd), in John 21:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2; Revelation 2:27; Revelation 7:17; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15. Jesus is still the Good Shepherd of his sheep (John 10:11, John 10:14.). Cf. Psalm 23:1.Shall guide them (οδη γησει αυτους hodē gēsei autous). Future active of οδηγεω hodēgeō old word (from οδηγος hodēgos guide, Matthew 15:14), used of God‘s guidance of Israel (Exodus 15:13), of God‘s guidance of individual lives (Psalm 5:9), of the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), of Christ‘s own guidance here (cf. John 14:4; Revelation 14:4).Unto fountains of waters of life The language is like that in Isaiah 49:10; Jeremiah 2:13. Note the order, “to life‘s water springs” (Swete) like the Vulgate ad vitae fontes aquarum, with emphasis on ζωης zōēs (life‘s). For this idea see also John 4:12, John 4:14; John 7:38.; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:1, Revelation 22:17. No special emphasis on the plural here or in Revelation 8:10; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 16:4.And God shall wipe away (και εχαλειπσει ο τεος kai exaleipsei ho theos). Repeated in Revelation 21:4 from Isaiah 25:8. Future active of εχαλειπω exaleiphō old compound, to wipe out (εχ ex), off, away, already in Revelation 3:5 for erasing a name and in Acts 3:19 for removing the stain (guilt) of sin.Every tear Old word, with other form, δακρυ dakru in Luke 7:38, Luke 7:44. Note repetition of εκ ek with οπταλμων ophthalmōn (out of their eyes). “Words like these of Revelation 7:15-17 must sound as a divine music in the ears of the persecuted. God will comfort as a mother comforts” (Baljon). [source]