The disciples expected that Peter would no longer be allowed to occupy the prominent position in the work which he had hitherto held, and he himself had lost his customary self-confidence. But Jesus, while dining by the sea-side, singled out Peter, saying, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?” referring to his brethren. Peter had once said, “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended,” and had expressed himself ready to go to prison and to death with his Master. But now he puts a true estimate upon himself in the presence of the disciples: “Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.” In this response of Peter there is no vehement assurance that his affection is greater than that of his companions; he does not even express his own opinion of his devotion to his Saviour, but appeals to that Saviour, who can read all the motives of the human heart, to himself judge as to his sincerity,—“Thou knowest that I love thee.” {3SP 229.2}

Disciplene forventede, at Peter ikke længere skulle få lov til at indtage den fremragende plades i Guds gerning, som han hidtil havde haft, og han havde selv tabt sin vante selvtillid. men medens de nød dette måltid ved søbredden, sagde Jesus til Peter: "Simon Johannes' søn, elsker du mig mere; end de andre gør?" idet han hentydede til hans brødre. Peter havde engang sagt: "Dersom de og alle (230) forarges på dig, så vil jeg dog aldrig forarges." Han havde sagt, at han stod rede til at kastes i fængsel og at lide døden med sin Mester. Men nu i disciplens nærværelse viser han, at han tænker ringe om sig selv: "Ja, Herre! du ved, at jeg har dig kær." I dette svar kommer ikke Peter frem med en heftig påstand om, at hans kærlighed er større end hans brødres. Han udtaler ikke engang sin egen mening om sin hengivenhed for Frelseren, men henstiller sagen til Frelseren selv, som kan skue ind i alle de menneskelige hjertes bevæggrunde, og overlader det til ham at dømme, om han er oprigtig eller ej: "Du ved, at jeg har dig kær."