Jesus and Peter

When they finish eating, Jesus questions Peter three times about his love. The repeated questions press Peter after the earlier failure and bring the exchange to a searching close.

W¹⁵hen they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” ¹⁶Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” ¹⁷Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”

Jesus describes Peter’s younger freedom, then speaks of a later time when others will gird and lead him where he does not want to go. The narrator explains that Jesus was pointing to the death by which Peter would glorify God.

¹⁸Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.