2, The language. — The passage is marked in the original by a variety of language which does not appear in the English trans- lation. There are two different Greek words for each of the English words " love," " know," and " feed," and three Greek words for " sheep " or " lambs." And there is significance in other words besides these. Take them separately —
^ A, Mackeunal, CJirist's Sealing Touch, 174.
420 LOVE AND SERVICE
(1) " Simon, Son of John." The Master's use of the old name "Simon," instead of the new name, "Peter," was suggestive of much. It was not to imply that he had forfeited all right to the new name ; but it was a gentle reminder to him of the weakness which had led to his denial; and it would recall to him the Master's words hefore his fall, when He purposely abstained from giving him the name that implied firmness and strength, but used instead the old name, " Simon," which bore to " Peter " the same relation as " Jacoh " (the " supplanter ") bore to " Israel " (the " prince of God ") — " Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." Very lovingly had Jesus already assured the penitent disciple of His forgiveness. One of the first messages He sent as the Eisen One was a message specially to Peter. One of the first private interviews He gave to any disciple was given to Peter ; and from that interview he must have come away knowing himself to be a fully pardoned man. Still, the use of the old name here again must have gone to Peter's heart, making him think, with new shame and sorrow, of his old self-confidence and pride.
(2) " Lovest thou me ? " The distinctions between the two Greek verbs used are various and delicate ; but they may all be traced to the radical difference between them. It is not a difference in the warmth, but in the character, of affection. The one signifies the love based upon appreciation of another; the other simple personal attachment. The one word would express the love that would give itself up for another ; the second word that which gives itself up to another. The one would be a confident, the other a confiding love. In this narrative the one might be represented if, in English, we said, " I am thy friend " ; the other, if we said, " Thou art my friend." It is the former of these words that Christ here uses : " Simon, son of Jonas, esteemest thou me more, art_thou more my friend, than thy fellow disciples ? " This was just what Peter had professed, "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended." " I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death." " Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee."
We can now understand Peter's reply. Once he would have
ST. JOHN XXI. 15-17 421
said, "I know that I am Thy friend." Once he did assert his knowledge of himself against Christ's knowledge of him ; he was sure he was to be trusted. But he has lost his self-confidence. He cannot compare himself with others now. He will not even assert himself to be a friend, ready to devote himself for Christ's sake ; he will not profess esteem for Jesus. He chooses the humbler, trustful word : " Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee."
Again, Christ asks him, " If not more than these, yet art thou my friend at all ? Is there any of the active devoted love'inTKeeT" any of the passion that will assert itself on my behalf ? " And still the same humble, clinging answer comes from Peter. Even this he will not affirm. How can he profess what he is ready for ? How can he be confident who has so painfully learnt that there is nothing for him but meekly and gratefully to trust in Jesus ? " Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee."
Now, Christ takes Peter's own word : He will not wound him by reminding him of his past boastful professions; let it be as Peter would have it, the trusting affection of the disciple. "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" "Peter was grieved because he said unto him the tKii-d'" time, Lovest thou me ? " Surely Jesus cannot doubt that. He must know that the disciple clings to his Lord. Christ must know that He is all in all to Peter. He saith unto Him, *' Lord, thou knowest all things ; Thou seest my heart. Thou knowest what sort of a man I was and am, how vain my self-confidence ; Thou knowest me to be weak, rash, changeful; but Thou knowest, too, that under all my boasting, all my mistakes, there was love for Thee, and that it remains. Lord, Thou knowest that I cannot make professions, that I am heart-sick of professions, but Thou knowest that this is true ; thou knowest that I love Thee."
And this confession Christ accepts; this confession He ever will accept. Distinguish between the profession of love to Christ and the confession of it. In profession the person most prominent in our thoughts is " I, who make it " ; in confession, " He, whose name I am confessing." The confession of love to Christ is the sweetest language that can fall from human lips ; it shows that the life has found its rest and meaning. Christ is known, and He will keep faithful to all eternity ; He will solace in all tribulation,