Again Jesus applied the test to Peter, repeating His former words: "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?" This time He did not ask Peter whether he loved Him better than did his brethren. The second response was like the first, free from extravagant assurance: "Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep." Once more the Saviour put the trying question: "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?" Peter was grieved; he thought that Jesus doubted his love. He knew that his Lord had cause to distrust him, and with an aching heart he answered, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee." Again Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep."

Atter anvendte Jesus denne prøve over for Peter ved at gentage sine tidligere ord: "Simon, Johannes søn, elsker du mig?" Denne gang spurgte han ikke Peter, om denne elskede ham højere, end hans brødre gjorde. Det andet svar lignede det første og var frit for enhver overdreven sikkerhed: "Ja, Herre, du ved, at jeg har dig kær." Jesus sagde til ham: "Vær hyrde for mine får!" Endnu engang rettede Frelseren det prøvende spørgsmål til ham: "Simon, Johannes søn, har du mig kær" Peter blev bedrøvet. Han mente, at Jesus nærede tvivl om hans kærlighed. Han vidste, at hans Herre havde grund til at have mistillid til ham, og med blødende hjerte svarede han: "Herre du kender alt, du ved, at jeg har dig kær." Atter sagde Jesus til ham: "Vogt mine får."