When did Jesus ask Peter to look after his people?

Answer 1

After the crucifixion of Jesus the disciples went back to fishing. They didn't catch anything all night:-

Joh 21:1-19 MKJV After these things Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. And He revealed Himself this way: [v. 2] Simon Peter, and Thomas called the Twin, and Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. [v. 3] Simon Peter said to them, I am going out to fish. They said to him, We will go with you also. They went out and entered into a boat immediately. And that night they caught nothing.

The next morning this stranger, who they didn't recognize, told them to put the nets out on the other side of the boat, which they did, and they caught many fish:-

[v. 4] But when the morning had come, Jesus stood on the shore. But the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. [v. 5] Then Jesus said to them, Children, do you have anything to eat? They ed Him, No. [v. 6] And He said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find. Therefore they cast, and now they no longer had the strength to draw, from the multitude of fish. [v. 7] Then that disciple whom Jesus loves said to Peter, It is the Lord! Then hearing that it is the Lord, Simon Peter girded on his coat (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea. [v. 8] And the other disciples came in a little boat (for they were not far from land, only about two hundred cubits), dragging the net of fish.

They all had bread and fish for breakfast :-

[v. 9] Then when they went up on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and a fish lying on it, and bread. [v. 10] And Jesus said to them, Bring from the fish which you have now caught. [v. 11] Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of big fish, a hundred and fifty-three. And though there were so many, the net was not torn. [v. 12] Jesus said to them, Come, break fast. And none of the disciples dared to ask Him, Who are You? knowing that it was the Lord. [v. 13] Then Jesus came and took the bread and gave to them, and in the same way the little fish. [v. 14] This is now the three times Jesus was revealed to His disciples, He being risen from the dead.

Jesus then asked Simon Peter, "Do you love Me more than these?" and He would have gestured to the other disciples while He was saying this:-

[v. 15] Then when they broke fast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He [Jesus] said to him, Feed My lambs. [v. 16] He said to him the second time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He [Jesus] said to him, Feed My sheep. [v. 17] He said to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? Peter was grieved because He said to him a third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know all things, You know that I love You. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep. [v. 18] Truly, truly, I say to you, When you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you wished. But when you grow old, you shall stretch forth your hands and another shall gird you and carry you where you do not wish. [v. 19] He spoke this signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, Follow Me.

Remember that Christ had appointed Peter leader of the disciples well before the crucifixion , but that he had denied Him three times at His trial. He would have felt he was no longer worthy to be the leader, and this was a public restoration of Peter as the nominated leader by Christ, and just to make sure everybody got the message that Peter was to look after the disciples [lambs/sheep] it was repeated twice again.

:To clarify terms, "his people," refers to all Israelites in the Old Testament and all believers in the New Testament. The category of "saint," should refer to these believers (Greek: hagios, meaning: separated one), which is consistantly used to identify believers of the day, as in Philippians 4:21,22: "Salute (greet) every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household."

Christ indeed told Peter: "Feed my lambs," which were new believers, recently "born again" spiritually. And He said, "Feed my sheep," which were believers, who were somewhat advanced in maturity, even fairly mature. All God's people need to be fed spiritually.

Peter was chosen of Christ to initiate spreading the Gospel & bringing the gift of the Holy Spirit to all types of people: Jews, Gentiles, Samaritans, which he accomplished (Acts 2:38, 8:15, 10:44). While this is true, Peter was not indicated as the overall leader of the church.

In Acts 15, James led the convening disciples to a decision on important matters. In Galatians 2:8, we find that Peter had the "the apostleship of the circumcision (Jews)" and Paul had the ministry "toward the Gentiles." In verse 9, as well, we find: "James, Cephas (Peter), and John, who seemed to be pillars... [went] unto the circumcision (Jews)." All the apostles were involved in leading the church and spreading the Gospel in different areas.

Peter ultimately wound up in Babylon: "The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you." 1Peter 5:13. Paul wrote the Book of Romans and ultimately went to Rome. Nothing in the Scriptures indicates that Peter ever came there.

Peter, who was told to feed Christ's sheep (lamb's included), said this: "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." 1Peter 5:1-4. He instructed local church leaders (elders) to feed their flocks, overseeing them, as good pastors. He put himself on the same level as they.

All pastors are to look after God's people.