John xxi. 15 by John Matteson

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 11, 1866

By John Matteson

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?”

Some have taken the position on this text that the pronoun “these” refers to the fish. Then Jesus asked Peter if he loved him more than the fish, and trying to make this look somewhat consistent, they say that he had reference to Peter’s trade, which he must give up entirely, and feed the lambs of Jesus.

We consider this a mistaken view for the following reasons:

1. Peter had left his trade long before this time. “Behold, we have forsaken all and followed thee.” Matt. xix. 27. It is no proof that he had turned to his trade again because he occasionally cast out a net.

2. It was after they had “dined” or eaten, that this conversation took place, and it looks inconsistent to present the Saviour as saying, “Lovest thou me more than this fish which we have eaten?”

3. The pronoun “these” cannot refer to the noun “fish” in verse 13, for the one is singular and the other plural, also in the original, which forbids the idea. Moreover, it is unnatural to go so far back to find the noun referred to.

It is not very difficult to find the true antecedent to this pronoun. In verse 14 we read: “This is now the third time Jesus showed himself to his disciples.” Verse 15, “So when they (the disciples) had dined, . . . Lovest thou me more than these (disciples)? This we believe to be the grammatical and natural construction of the language.

This also makes good sense with the context. Peter loved his brethren. And no doubt his attachment to those who, with him, had forsaken all things, and been so intimately connected with the blessed Jesus, was very great. But the time is approaching when they must be separated, and each one labor in the field which the Master would open before him. Then their love for Jesus would be tested.

Peter loved his divine Lord. But to test and strengthen this love and prepare him for the coming contest with the powers of darkness, Jesus places this high and heavenly calling before him in the most impressive manner, never to be forgotten till another should carry Peter where he did not like to go. How these repeated questions appealed with divine power to the zealous Peter. It made him search his own heart through and through, and sink in his own estimation until he was humbled and grieved. But in after years he found that to be sweet and good which was at first bitter, and like an iron pillar it upheld him, while the storms of opposition exhausted their strength in vain.

The office of feeding the lambs of Jesus is a dangerous office. Those who are foremost in the battle are most exposed to the fiery darts of the enemy. They need a deep experience, and thorough preparation. Sometimes they are brought into very strait places. Everything looks dark. They must drink a bitter cup. Then Jesus says, “Lovest thou me? lovest thou me?” We are almost sinking. We are grieved and proved to the quick. It is a heart-searching time.

But as the diamond shines brightest in the dark, so faith appears most precious in trials. With eyes full of tears we look to the Lord. Faith clings to his compassionate heart. Love rests its head on his bosom. Hope sees a smile on his face. With trembling lips we stammer, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.”

JOHN MATTESON.

John xxi. 15.