Jesus asked for the third time if Peter loved Him and Peter was grieved because of it. This time the verb is changed to phileo instead of agape, but the reason for Peter’s grief was not a change in meaning (remember that their conversation would have been in Aramaic and not Greek), but because He asked the question three times. There are a couple of good reasons for Peter’s grief. First, since this was the third time, it reminded him of his threefold denial, which was part of Christ’s purpose. And second, by asking three times it would seem that maybe Jesus didn’t believe him the first two. Both would have grieved Peter.

Peter’s response was that Jesus knows all things and thus knew that he loved Him. But Jesus wasn’t asking so that He could gain knowledge for Himself. Peter was correct in his assessment that Jesus knew what was in his heart. It wasn’t Jesus that needed to know, it was Peter and the other disciples who needed to know. That is why Jesus asked the question.

For the third and last time Jesus told Peter to tend His sheep. This whole scene was intended to show Peter, the disciples, and us that Peter was completely restored to his position of leadership. He had denied his Lord 3 times and now he had affirmed his love for Him 3 times and he had been commissioned 3 times to care for the flock of God. The others present could not have helped but understand exactly what Jesus had done. Even the scene was the same: Peter warming himself around a charcoal fire (Mark 14:54) had denied Jesus 3 times and now warming himself around a charcoal fire had affirmed his love for Him. Though Peter had made bad mistakes in the past, He was now restored to a position of trust and Jesus was placing into Simon’s care His most treasured possession, His flock.

Mark 14:54  Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.