Simon Jonin! Do you love Me? Now he no longer asks whether you love more than others, since he sees the deep humility of Peter. For the second time, Peter answers:

yes, Lord! You know I love you... Feed My sheep, says Christ.

The first time Jesus called His followers lambs, and the second time He called His followers sheep. In the opinion of Bishop Michael, the Lord calls the members of His spiritual Kingdom lambs from the point of view of their youth, tenderness and weakness, as newborns, who are more in need of the careful care of a pastor; He calls the members of His spiritual Kingdom sheep in their usual state, in their perfect spiritual stature (Explanatory Gospel. 3, p. 553).

For the third time, Jesus asks Peter:

Simon Jonin! Do you love Me?

The repetition of this question for the third time confused and saddened Peter. How could the same thing not happen that had already happened (he thought)? After all, even then he confidently said that he would never be offended and would lay down his life for Jesus, and then he denied Him, and three more times? That is why he no longer assures, but says:

God! You are omniscient!

You know everything. You know Yourself whether I love You!

You know I love You.

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Feed My sheep and lay down your life for them, as you promised to lay it down for Me!" – Christ said to him.