Matthew Poole and continuators on John 21:17

17 He said unto him the third time, Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep .

Divines here ra[illegible: 1 letter]se a question, why our Saviour propounds this question thrice to Peter? The most of the Ancients agree, that it was because Peter had thrice denied▪ him. Some say, it was to shew his great love to his Church, which he could not commit to Peter, but after three inquiries if he truly loved him, who was the Lord of it. Others refer it to the three ways by which good Pastors ought to feed the Church; Prayer, Preaching, and an holy Life. Others think, that it hath reference to the three Flocks, that Peter was to feed; The Iews in Iudea, the Gentiles, the dispersed amongst the Gentiles.