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In John 21:15-17 (ESV), we read:
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him,
“Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my
lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you
love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He
said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he
said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to
him, “Feed my sheep.
Jesus asks, “Do you love me?” three times. In order, the translation of the word love in the greek is as follows:
agapaō agapaō phileō
Is there a reason or any significance as to why Jesus uses “phileō” the third time around? English translations don’t seem to distinguish this fact and maybe they shouldn’t.
Note: Blue Letter Bible is where I got the Greek references.