At the last meeting of Christ with His disciples by the sea, Peter, tested by the thrice-repeated question, "Lovest thou Me?" (John 21:15-17), had been restored to his place among the Twelve. His work had been appointed him; he was to feed the Lord's flock. Now, converted and accepted, he was not only to seek to save those without the fold, but was to be a shepherd of the sheep.

Da Kristus sidste gang var sammen med sine disciple ved søen, havde Peter atter genvundet sin plads blandt de tolv, efter at han tre gange var blevet prøvet med dette spørgsmål: "Elsker du mig?" Hans gerning var blevet ham anvist: han skulle vogte Herrens hjord. Nu, hvor han var omvendt og atter antaget, skulle han ikke blot søge at frelse dem udenfor folden; men han skulle være fårenes hyrde.