Discovery BoxJohn 21:16-17
Context21:16 Jesus 1 said 2 a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He replied, 3 “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus 4 told him, “Shepherd my sheep.” 21:17 Jesus 5 said 6 a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed 7 that Jesus 8 asked 9 him a third time, “Do you love me?” and said, 10 “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus 11 replied, 12 “Feed my sheep.
[21:16] 1 tn Grk “He”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[21:16] 2 tn Grk “said again.” The word “again” (when used in connection with the phrase “a second time”) is redundant and has not been translated.
[21:16] 3 tn Grk “He said to him.”
[21:16] 4 tn Grk “He”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[21:17] 5 tn Grk “He”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[21:17] 6 tn Grk “said to him.” The words “to him” are clear from the context and slightly redundant in English.
[21:17] 8 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[21:17] 10 tn Grk “and said to him.” The words “to him” are clear from the context and slightly redundant in English.
[21:17] 11 tc ‡ Most witnesses, especially later ones (A Θ Ψ Ë13 Ï), read ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς (Jo Ihsou", “Jesus”) here, while B C have ᾿Ιησοῦς without the article and א D W Ë1 33 565 al lat lack both. Because of the rapid verbal exchange in this pericope, “Jesus” is virtually required for clarity, providing a temptation to scribes to add the name. Further, the name normally occurs with the article. Although it is possible that B C accidentally omitted the article with the name, it is just as likely that they added the simple name to the text for clarity’s sake, while other witnesses added the article as well. The omission of ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς thus seems most likely to be authentic. NA27 includes the words in brackets, indicating some doubts as to their authenticity.
