Why did Jesus ask Peter publicly three times if he loved him?
St. Peter Denying Christ, by Gustave Doré (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “Do You Love Me?” ( John 21:17 ). Several questions come to mind as we read this passage ( John 21:15-17 ): Why did Jesus ask Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Because Peter denied him three times. Why did he do this publicly? Because Peter denied him publicly. The other disciples needed to hear Peter openly declare his love for Christ . Without hearing those words, the doubts would linger forever. The man who had been so boastful, so sure of himself, so confident of his own courage, is now thoroughly humbled. Jesus’ first question – “Do you love me more than these?” (v. 15) – was a subtle reminder of his previous boast to be more loyal than the other disciples ( Matthew 26:33 ). In his reply Peter declares his love for Christ, but he refuses to compare himself with anyone else. As painful as this was, it was absolutely necessary. Jesus is cleaning the wound so that it might be properly healed. He is gett