There are two words in Greek in this passage, both of which are simply translated "LOVE".
The First two times Jesus asks Peter, do you "AGAPE" (a pure, willful, sacrificial love that intentionally desires another’s highest good) me??
Peter answers both times: "I Phileo ( a fondness toward you) you. Which is tantamount to Peter saying "not really" to Jesus' question.
The third time, Jesus asks "Phileo"? And Peter is broken, and says "you know my heart, I Phileo you" ( it's the best I can do).
Remember that Peter HAD (when things were good) sworn dying allegiance to Jesus, and when this was tested, he folded like a house of cards. Peter's answer to jesus indicated that he had LEARNED something about his proclaimed "boundless dedication", and was being honest about it - now.
But Jesus command to him on all three occasions, as an apparent remedy for Peter's lack of "Agape" - i.e. "Feed my sheep" - MINISTER to the people. Jesus implied that in doing so, AGAPE will develop. Reading Peter's later writings, apparently it did.
That's what the original Greek text says. Seems like many of the other translations (ASV NIV, WEB, etc.) follow the KJV down the same path and lose the significance of the language.
The First two times Jesus asks Peter, do you "AGAPE" (a pure, willful, sacrificial love that intentionally desires another’s highest good) me??
Peter answers both times: "I Phileo ( a fondness toward you) you. Which is tantamount to Peter saying "not really" to Jesus' question.
The third time, Jesus asks "Phileo"? And Peter is broken, and says "you know my heart, I Phileo you" ( it's the best I can do).
Remember that Peter HAD (when things were good) sworn dying allegiance to Jesus, and when this was tested, he folded like a house of cards. Peter's answer to jesus indicated that he had LEARNED something about his proclaimed "boundless dedication", and was being honest about it - now.
But Jesus command to him on all three occasions, as an apparent remedy for Peter's lack of "Agape" - i.e. "Feed my sheep" - MINISTER to the people. Jesus implied that in doing so, AGAPE will develop. Reading Peter's later writings, apparently it did.
That's what the original Greek text says. Seems like many of the other translations (ASV NIV, WEB, etc.) follow the KJV down the same path and lose the significance of the language.
You are absolutely correct! I checked the Young's Analytical. Peter did respond with a different word for love than what Jesus used, and not even the NASB brought that out. Not a single one of the Modern Translations brought out this particular aspect any better than the KJV.
Jesus used agapao the first two times, and Peter answered with phileo.(a weaker kind of love.) To love without God's love within us is not good enough. That seems to be the point Jesus is making.
Thanks Bob.
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