Matthew Poole and continuators on John 21:15

15 ¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these ? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee . He saith unto him, Feed my lambs .

More than the rest of my Disciples love me; for so Peter had professed, when he told our Saviour, Matth. 26.33. Tho all men should be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

Peter now having by his Temptation learned more humility and modesty, doth not reply, Lord! thou knowest that I love thee more than these; he onely averreth the truth and sincerity, not the degree of his love.

Christ replies. Feed my Lambs: by which he understands his people, his Church: Not the Pastors of it▪ (as if Christ by this had made Peter the chief Pastor over the rest of the Apostles) but the comm[illegible: 1 letter]nity. The Papists from this Text argue for Peters Primacy, and Authority over his fellow Apostles, as well as over the members of the Church. But, Christ said not to Peter onely, but to all the rest of the eleven, Matth. 28.19. Mark 16.15, 16. Go ye, preach the Gospel to all nations; and it was to the rest as well as to Peter, that he said, Chap. 20.22, 23. Whose sins you remit, they are remitted. So as it is apparent, whether Feeding, onely signifies instructing, or feeding by Doctrine, or (as most judge) comprehends government; and signifies that universal charge which Ministers have over the Church; the same power which Peter had, was also committed to the other Disciples.