On the surface, we can see that Jesus asks Peter if he loves him three times?

Question

because Peter denied him three times but, why do you think he tells him to feed his lambs once then tells him to feed his sheep twice. If you believe everything in Scripture is there for a reason this makes an interesting meditation.

Answer 1

I've wondered this too. Lambs are babies - did He mean baby/immature Christians? Then why did He say sheep twice... ?

Answer 2

When Jesus was asking Peter if he loved him, he was really asking him in three different ways if he loved him.

In original text, there were many different words for different types of Love. In English we have only one word for Love.

So, It could have been translated as
Do you love me?
Do you really Love me?
and lastly
Do you really Love me above all else?

As far as the translation for lamb and sheep, I have not studied that one enough to give you a knowledable answer, but I am intriqued and will study this after I am done with Romans.

Answer 3

The bible uses three to stress a point. So by saying it three times he was stressing to take care of the people.
sometimes people maybe even Peter who's life before had been fishing and he went back to it. We need someone to get us back on the right road about what we are doing. What is the most important thing in our life. Do we know what the bible teaches?
No? But we do know how many home runs are favorite sports hero has.

Answer 4

When that verse is read in it's original rending, greek, Jesus asked him 2 times if he loved him, the 3rd time he asked him do you like me. And for the record, Peter denied Jesus 6 times not 3.

Answer 5

Indeed, the three fold query of Jesus seems to reflect back on Peter's three-time denial. But these three verses of Scripture have many facets to reflect upon.

* The word that Jesus used for 'love' in the first two questions, is translated from the Greek 'agape' (pure love), but Peter responds with the Greek 'phileo' (best/close friend). But in the third question, Jesus asks, "Simon, are you [even] my friend?" Peter responds to all Jesus' questions with 'phileo'. {All of this is not easy to be discerned from normal translations of the Bible; you'll have to dig a lot deeper.}

* Another point, Jesus did not call Peter 'Peter' in this discourse, but always 'Simon'. Jesus gave Simon his nickname of 'Peter' (which means 'rock') because he was of strong character. But with the threat of death, Peter crumbled; he lied, and betrayed his friend, master and God. So Jesus emphasised that Simon Peter was not the tower of strength he expected of him; he let him down, when he most could have used his support.

But now to your question.

* The follow-up response that Jesus commanded Peter with each question was different each time:
1. "Feed My lambs,"
2. "Shepherd My sheep,"
3. "Feed My sheep,"

Notice the pattern of the sheep, from young to old. This reflects that sheep need different care at different stages of life: lambs need easily digestible food; adult sheep, pretty much take care of themselves, but need to be guided to good pastures and watched over for wolves, etc.; and fully mature sheep need to be fed with solid, filling food capable of strengthening them for long journeys to winter pastures, etc.

In this regard, reflect upon what Paul said about maturity and spiritual food (1Co 3:2, and Hebrews 5:12-14, 6:1-2). Those new to God's truth need the basic doctrines that get them started on their way -- things that are easy to find in the Bible, like keeping the commandments (keeping the Sabbath and Passover and appointed Holy Days, avoiding idols, keeping honest and chaste, etc.), baptisms, resurrections, etc. (see Hebrews 6:1-2). Those sheep who are more mature, can accept and digest more difficult passages and doctrines (such as those in Hebrews 6... -- most of Hebrews), having learned to study properly and experienced God's pattern of doing things, and use this more hardy spiritual food to go the distance.

Hope this helps; and may God guide you in your studies.

Answer 6

Lambs are the children of the Sheep --Us.