In John 21, we read of the Savior’s appearance to His disciples for the third time. During this visit, His disciples learn about the significance of missionary work and the call to “feed the Lord’s sheep.” However, as we take a closer look at the chapter, a deeper meaning unfolds. By analyzing these key verses, we can uncover profound lessons about discipleship, loving God, and overcoming the struggle with comparison.
To bring context to John 21 , we turn to the preceding chapter, where we read of the resurrection of Jesus Christ—a miraculous and pivotal event. Following His resurrection, Christ began appearing to those closest to Him. First, He appeared to Mary Magdalene outside the empty tomb. Then He appeared to His disciples within their home, though Thomas was absent. Finally, He appeared again to His disciples, this time with Thomas present. It is against this backdrop that we enter John 21, where Peter and several other disciples decide to go fishing “immediately”, as verse 3 describes.
Elder Jeffery R. Holland offers a poignant perspective on this moment, taking some creative liberty in imagining Peter’s thoughts. He writes: “In effect, Peter said to his associates: ‘Brethren, it has been a glorious three years… We have talked with, prayed with, and labored with the very Son of God Himself. We have walked with Him and wept with Him, and on the night of that horrible ending, no one wept more bitterly than I. But that is over. He has finished His work, and He has risen from the tomb. He has worked out His salvation and ours. So you ask, ‘What do we do now?’ I don’t know more to tell you than to return to your former life, rejoicing. I intend to ‘go a fishing.’’”
In this portrayal of Peter, we see that the disciples had believed their mission was over. They had followed Christ, learned from Him, and witnessed His resurrection, but now, they thought, it was time to return to their old lives. The work was complete, and they could once again enjoy the simplicity of their former occupations, like fishing. Similarly, in our own lives, we experience spiritual “mountain-top” moments—whether it’s a visit to the temple, a Sunday service, or returning from a mission. Yet, how often do we find ourselves returning to the things of mortality, as the disciples did, when we leave those sacred experiences behind? The message that Christ imparts to His disciples is just as relevant to us today.
After a fruitless night of fishing, a man on the shore calls out,” Children, have ye any meat?” In a humble response, the disciples answer,” No.” Then much like the previous encounter with Christ, the man—whom they do not yet recognize—commands them to cast their net once more. Immediately, their nets are filled with an overwhelming number of fish, prompting Peter and John to realize that the man on the shore is indeed the Lord. What follows, however, redefines the way Peter understands the Lord’s work, reshaping him into the disciple he needed to become.
After a communal reunion, Christ turns to Peter and asks, “Lovest thou me more than these?” Peter responds, “Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.” Jesus replies, “Feed my lambs.” (John 21:15)
The Greek word for “feed” can also be translated as “tend” or “pasture.” In this context, Christ is not only instructing Peter to provide for the spiritual nourishment of His followers, but He is also commissioning Peter to watch over His sheep—protecting them and safeguarding them from those who seek to harm them. Christ’s command calls Peter to a deeper responsibility: one that involves both nurturing and guarding the faith of others.
Christ continues the conversation with Peter and asks again, “Lovest thou me more than these?” Peter again responds, “Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.” Jesus replies, “Feed my sheep.” Then, for a third time, Jesus asks Peter, “Lovest thou me more than these?” With hurt, Peter responds, “Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.” To which Jesus says, for the final time, “Feed my sheep.”
The New American Standard Bible translates Jesus' response from “Feed my sheep” to “Shepherd my sheep” and “Tend my sheep,” which further emphasizes Peter’s responsibility to not only care for but also lead and protect the flock. In this same context, Christ calls us to do the same. We are to be a light to those around us, actively protecting and uplifting them. God is telling us that if we truly love Him, if we truly care about Him, then we must feed and minister to those He places in our charge.
Gotquestions.org sheds light upon this interaction by asking,” Why does Christ ask Peter three times if he loves him.” They suggest,” It is possible that by His repeated question Jesus is subtly reminding Peter of his three denials… It wasn’t lost on Peter that Jesus repeated His question to him three times, just as Peter previously denied Him three times.” This reminder of Peter’s denial not only stung him, bringing him face to face with his past mistake, but it also reinforced the love and commitment that Jesus expected from Peter. It dictated to Peter that he needed to be dedicated to Christ in every aspect of his life. Peter was past the point of return, requiring him to remain faithful until the very end.
In our own lives, we often find ourselves reminded of past mistakes. While this can be painful, it serves as a way to keep us humble. These reminders bring us back to the heartache we endured and point us toward the One who healed us from it. In essence, these moments turn our focus back to Christ, reaffirming the commitment we made to follow Him, while also reminding us of His power to heal and transform us.
In addition, Wikipedia discusses this interaction between Peter and Christ as the “Restoration of Peter”. According to the article, this conversation between Peter and Christ restored Peter to fellowship, since Peter had denied Christ three times. This interaction mirrors the restoration of fellowship that we see in the church today. When someone sins or falls short of the commandments of God, they are given the opportunity to repent and seek forgiveness. This process allows them to recommit themselves to Christ and renew their dedication to following Him. While the degree of Peter’s mistake wasn’t immense, it served as a profound opportunity for him to reaffirm his commitment to Christ.
Continuing with the chapter, John asks the Lord,” Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?” Immediately after this, Peter asks,” What shall this man do?” These two questions create a dissonance between the flow of the narrative, drawing our attention away from the lesson at hand. However, this dissonance is removed in a revelation that Joseph Smith received in the Doctrine and Covenants. In section 7 , we read about John’s desire to tarry upon the earth, longing to continue the work of the Lord and build up the kingdom of God.
After hearing John’s desire, Peter asks the question that we find in John 21: “What shall this man do?” In this context, Jesus replies in Doctrine and Covenant 7,” Peter, if I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? For he desired of me that he might bring souls unto me, but thou desiredst that thou mightiest speedily come unto me in my kingdom.” (D&C 7:4) Christ is essentially asking Peter, “Why are you comparing yourself to him? You have a good desire and that is all that matters.” Here, Christ highlights the futility of comparison, encouraging Peter to focus on his own path and trust that his desires and efforts are enough in fulfilling His will.
J. B. Haws further expands on this idea, stating,” Our perfect, loving God makes no horizontal comparisons. In this verse Jesus only compared John with John’s former self—John with old John. He only compared Peter with old Peter, with former Peter. And He only compares me with old me.” In our lives, we constantly compare ourselves to others and the capabilities that they have. However, if we follow the teachings of Christ, we will come to realize that the only comparison that matters is between ourselves now and our former selves. This journey isn’t a race against each other; it’s a race against sin, as we strive to become the best versions of ourselves and help others do the same. In conclusion, as we reflect on John 21, we uncover profound lessons that Jesus teaches us through His interactions with His disciples. Each verse offers valuable insights that can transform our perspective. In the key moments we explored, John 21 highlights how we can be better missionaries, deepen our love for God, and overcome the tendency to compare ourselves to others. In all, this chapter reminds us of the significance of missionary work, the necessity of loving God with all our hearts, and the importance of focusing on our own spiritual growth rather than measuring ourselves against those around us.
