“_Come and BREAKFAST._”――This is certainly a vast improvement on the common English version, which here gives the word “_dine_.” For it must strike an ordinary reader as a very early _dinner_ at that time of the morning, (John xix. 4,) and what settles the question is, that the Greek word here is αριστησατε, (_aristesate_,) which primarily and almost always was applied only to the eating of the earliest meal, or breakfast, being derived from αριστον, “breakfast,” the first meal in the day, according to Homer and Xenophon. Many other unrecorded words of wisdom and love must have been spoken at this time, in the course of which Jesus again took occasion to put this meaning and moving question, “Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me?” The first answer of Peter had sufficiently shown, that he had no more of that disposition to claim a merit superior to his fellow disciples, and Jesus did not again urge upon him a comparison with them, but merely renewed the inquiry in a simple, absolute form. Again Peter earnestly expressed his love, with the same appeal to Christ’s own knowledge of his heart for the testimony of his loyalty, “Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.” He saith to him, “Feed my sheep.” If thou lovest me, show that love, by supplying the place of my earthly care, to those whom I love. Love and feed those for whom I have bled and died.――What could be more simple and clear than this question? What more earnest and honest than the answer? What more abiding than the impression made by this charge? Yet did not the far-seeing Savior desist from trying his disciple with these questions. Once more was it solemnly repeated, “Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me?” Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “lovest thou me?” He saw at last the reproachful meaning of the inquiry. Three times had this same apostle, by his false-hearted denial, renounced all love and interest in his Master, and three times did that injured and forgiving Master call upon him to pledge again his forfeited faith and affection. He thus pointed out the past weakness of Peter, and showed the means of maintaining and insuring future fidelity. Peter again still more movingly avowed his honest attachment, half remonstrating at this repetition of the question by one who must already know the heart of the answerer too fully for words to inform him anew.――“Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” He now passed on to a new prediction of his future fortunes, in the service to which he had in these words devoted him, making known to him the earthly reward which his services would at last receive. “I solemnly say to thee, when thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself and walkedst whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” This he said, to signify to him by what