Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 21:17

"He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of John, 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." — John 21:17 (ASV)

He says to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Thrice he had denied his Lord, so thrice he must be questioned concerning his love for the Lord whom he said he did not even know, and then for the third time he was recommissioned by his Lord: