Note 10 at Joh 21:15: Peter had denied that He knew the Lord three times. Here the Lord asked affirmation of his love three times. The first two times that Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, Jesus used the Greek word "AGAPAO"; this denotes God's kind of love--a perfect, unselfish love (see note 4 at Joh 13:35). Peter replied with the Greek word "PHILEO." This is a much less passionate word, meaning "to be a friend to...i.e. have affection for" (Strong's Concordance).

Jesus was asking, "Peter, do you love Me supremely above all else?" Peter replied, "Lord, You know that I'm Your friend," or "I'm fond of You." The third time Jesus asked Peter this question, Jesus met Peter where he was and used the word PHILEO.

Note 11 at Joh 21:15: Peter's attitude was quite different here from what it was just a few days before when he had said, "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended" (Mt 26:33). He had been surprised and humbled by his failure to profess that he even knew Jesus.

Perhaps it was because of this bold statement of Peter's the night before Jesus' crucifixion that Jesus was prompted to ask Peter if he loved Him more than these. The "more than these" could be referring to loving Jesus more than the other disciples loved Jesus, or He could have been referring to Peter loving Jesus more than his fishing, symbolizing loving Jesus more than anything else.

Note 12 at Joh 21:15: Jesus instructed Peter to feed His lambs and sheep (Joh 21:16-17) if he really loved Him. True love will produce service. Service does not produce true love.

Note 13 at Joh 21:15: This directive to Peter to feed Jesus' lambs not only was instructional but also provided reassurance. Peter's three denials had put his relationship with the Lord in doubt in the sight of Peter himself and the others. This commission gave reassurance to everyone, including Peter, that the Lord had forgiven him and reinstated Peter to his position of authority.