Scripture Stories
Jesus Asks the Apostles to Feed His Sheep—Showing love for Jesus by teaching others about Him


John 21; Matthew 28:16–20; Mark 16:15–19

Jesus Asks the Apostles to Feed His Sheep

Showing love for Jesus by teaching others about Him

Peter and other Apostles go fishing.

After Jesus was resurrected, Peter and some of the other Apostles went fishing. Even though they fished all night, they did not catch anything.

John 21:1–3

Jesus asks the Apostles if they have caught any fish.

The next morning, the Apostles saw Jesus on the shore, but they didn’t know it was Him. He asked if they had caught any fish. They said they had not.

John 21:4–5

The Apostles trying to pull the net full of fish into the boat.

Jesus told the Apostles to cast their net on the right side of the ship and they would catch fish. The Apostles did what Jesus said, and more than a hundred fish filled the net! The net was so heavy with fish that the Apostles couldn’t pull it into the boat.

John 21:6

Peter swims toward Jesus.

Then John realized who the man was. He told Peter, “It is the Lord.” Peter jumped into the sea and swam toward Jesus. The other Apostles brought the boat and the fish to shore. Jesus was cooking some bread and fish, and He invited the Apostles to eat with Him.

John 21:7–13

Jesus tells Peter to feed His lambs.

After they ate, Jesus asked Peter, “Lovest thou me more than these?” Peter said yes. Then Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

John 21:15

Peter tells Jesus that he loves Him.

Then Jesus asked Peter again if he loved Him. Again, Peter said yes. Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep.”

John 21:16

Jesus teaches Peter to take care of the people who follow Him.

Jesus asked Peter a third time if he loved Him. Peter said, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.” Jesus told him again, “Feed my sheep.” He wanted Peter to take care of the people who follow Jesus.

John 21:17

Jesus tells the Apostles to share the gospel.

Later, Jesus asked His Apostles to meet Him on a mountain. There He told them to share His gospel all over the world, teach people His commandments, and baptize everyone who believed. “Ye shall be witnesses unto me,” He said. He promised He would be with them and give them power through the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 28:16–20; Mark 16:15–19; Acts 1:8

Jesus ascends into heaven.

Then Jesus went up into the sky in a cloud. He went back to His Father in Heaven. As the Apostles watched Him leave, two angels appeared. They said that just as Jesus had gone up into heaven, He would return to earth in the same way someday.

Acts 1:9–11