lectionary.com

Ordinary Time · Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles: Vigil · Year B

John 21:15-19

Jesus and Peter: Feed My Sheep

Christ's Charge to Peter, Peter Paul Rubens
Christ's Charge to Peter, Peter Paul Rubens, c. 1616Wallace Collection, London
Rubens reduces the scene to two figures on a beach, Christ pointing and Peter kneeling with his hands open.Simon son of John, do you love me? Feed my sheep.Peter Paul RubensRubens (1577-1640) ran the busiest workshop in Europe from Antwerp and was a working diplomat besides. His religious painting carries the same physical energy as his hunts and his mythologies.Wallace Collection, LondonA private collection in a Marylebone townhouse, left to the nation on condition nothing ever be lent out or added.Wallace Collection, London

Overview & Insights

"Feed my sheep." (John 21:17)

By the Sea of Tiberias the risen Jesus asks Peter three times whether he loves him, and three times commissions him to tend and feed the flock. He then foretells the death by which Peter will glorify God and calls him again to follow.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: John 21:15-19

Commentary

Background & Word Study

The Church Fathers

Sermons & Reflections

Art & Music

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on John 21:15-19
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.