But Peter could surely tell what he felt towards Christ. — A t the same time the question was very searching. It is as though our Lord said, " Simon, 1 know all thy history. I know what thou hast done, and what thou hast been, about the time of my betrayal and crucifixion, and I am ready to look over all, and pardon all. But one thing I must have in my disciples, and that is, a sincere and loving heart. I can look over want of knowledge and want of faith ; but I must have love. Now, before these six brethren, before commissioning thee once more as an accredited and trustworthy Apostle, I ask thee solemnly. Dost thou love Me ? "
Cyril thinks that Peter had received such special mercy, par- don, and forgiveness, that he might be reasonably required to feel special love.
[More than these.] This remarkable expression, which is only used in this verse, admits of three interpretations, (a) It may mean. Dost thou love Me more than thou lovest these thy brethren and friends around thee, and art thou willing to give them up for my sake, and follow Me alone, if need be? (5) It may mean, as Whitby says, Dost thou love Me more than these boats and fishing nets, among which thou hast spent so much of thy life, from which I did first call thee, and in the midst of which I find thee to-day ? Art thou willing for my sake to give them all up, and devote thyself to preaching the Gospel ? (c) It may mean, as the great majority of commentators think. Dost thou love Me more than thy brethren love Me ? Thou re- memberest a certain day when thou didst confidently say, ** Though all men forsake Thee, yet will not I." Thou wast con fident then, that thou wast more faithful than others. Will thou say that now ? After all that has happened, art thou sure that thy heart is better than that of others?" — I decidedly pre- fer this last view to either of the others. I think it was meant to teach Peter, that the two grand qualifications for a faithful pastor were love and humility.
Musculus observes, that Jesus did not ask Peter this thrice- repeated question, as if He was ignorant and desired to learn, but in order to remind him before others of his future duty.
Bullinger suggests, that one reason among others why Jesus said, " more than these ? " was Peter's forwardness to spring into the water, and come to shore, before the other six Apostles, who were in the boat with him.
Pollock observes, on our Lord's merciful and loving dealing with Peter, " Rebukers should be lovers. If thou rebuke a man, love him ; otherwise speak not to him, but close thy mouth. If thou season not thy rebukes with * love,' then that which should have been as medicine will be turned into poison. They that would be instructors and admonishers should be lov- ers. Wherefore, whatever thou doest, do it in lenity and meek- ness. A bitter teacher is not worth a penny. This is what St,