John 21:14-25

¹⁴This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after he had risen from the dead.

¹⁵When breakfast was over, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than the others?” “Yes, Master,” he answered, “you know that I am your friend.” “Feed my lambs,” said Jesus.

¹⁶Then, a second time, Jesus asked, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Master,” he answered, “you know that I am your friend.” “Tend my sheep,” said Jesus.

¹⁷The third time, Jesus said to him, “Simon, son of John, are you my friend?” Peter was hurt at his third question being ‘Are you my friend?’; and exclaimed, “Master, you know everything! You can tell that I am your friend.” “Feed my sheep,” said Jesus.

¹⁸“In truth I tell you,” he continued, “when you were young, you used to put on your own clothes, and walk wherever you wished; but, when you have grown old, you will have to stretch out your hands, while someone else puts on your clothes, and takes you where you do not wish.”

¹⁹Jesus said this to show the death by which Peter was to honour God, and then he added, “Follow me.”

²⁰Peter turned around, and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following — the one who at the supper leant back on the Master's shoulder, and asked him who it was who would betray him.

²¹Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, what about this man?”

²²“If it is my will that he should wait until I come,” answered Jesus, “what has that to do with you? Follow me yourself.”

²³So the report spread amongst his followers that that disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say that he was not to die, but said “If it is my will that he should wait until I come, what has that to do with you?”

²⁴It is this disciple who states these things, and who recorded them; and we know that his statement is true.

²⁵There are many other things which Jesus did; but, if every one of them were to be recorded in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not hold the books that would be written.