| 17. Linguistic Exegesis The verse is structured as a tightly repeated exchange, with legei {λέγει | lé-gei} ‘he says’ introducing the opening question and to triton {τὸ τρίτον | tò trí-ton} marking the deliberate third repetition. The address Simon Ioannou {Σίμων Ἰωάννου | Sí-mōn Iō-án-nou} personalizes the challenge before the core question phileis me {φιλεῖς με | phi-leîs me} ‘do you love Me’ places the issue on relational allegiance. Peter’s reaction is explained by hoti {ὅτι | hó-ti} ‘because’, so his grief is not merely emotional but a response to the force of the repeated question. In the reply, the paired verbs oidas {οἶδας | oî-das} and ginoskeis {γινώσκεις | gi-nṓ-skeis} create a rhetorical intensification: Jesus’ knowledge is both comprehensive and personally discerning. The second hoti {ὅτι | hó-ti} introduces the content of Peter’s confession, showing that his statement of love is the very thing he places under Jesus’ knowledge. The closing line returns to legei {λέγει | lé-gei} and ends with the imperative Boske {Βόσκε | Bós-ke}, shifting the scene from testing to commission. The object ta probata mou {τὰ πρόβατά μου | tà pró-ba-tá mou} preserves the pastoral image and connects restored love with responsibility for Jesus’ flock. |