Peter Restored and Commissioned to Shepherd

After breakfast Jesus asks Peter three times whether he loves him, answering each confession with a commission to feed or tend his lambs/sheep. The threefold exchange deliberately answers Peter’s three denials, and the repeated shepherd language connects Peter’s pastoral task to Jesus the Good Shepherd rather than transferring ownership of the flock to Peter. Jesus then predicts the manner of Peter’s death and repeats the original call: “Follow me.” Restoration therefore includes both forgiveness and costly renewed vocation.