A question of grammar

[Joe Chandler]

The English language has rules; they are called grammar. Is it important for understanding your Bible? Let me start with a question as an example. Do you like reading about the apostle Peter as much as me? No wait. Do you like reading about the apostle Peter as much as I? Which is correct? The answer is "I" not "me". How to tell. Supply the understood verb, in this case 'do', to the sentence and the answer becomes clear. Do you like reading about the apostle Peter as much as me do? Or do you like reading about the apostle Peter as much as I do? "Me do" just sounds stupid. I believe it is important to know what a verse says before you explain what it means. I am hoping for some converts here.

John 21:15   So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. What did Jesus ask Peter? "lovest thou me more than these? I have heard some wild answers to this in the past. Examples: Jesus is referring to the other disciples. Does Peter love Him more than them. Jesus was referring to the fish. Jesus was referring to fishing. All these guesses are based on a wrong presupposition that some beloved minister proposed, namely that Paul said it is unwise to compare ourselves among ourselves, therefore Jesus could not have asked Peter if he loved Him more than the other disciples loved Him. The problem is that that is exactly what Jesus asked Peter. Let's apply the same grammar rule we applied before. "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these (do)?

I have more to say on this, but I'll wait to gauge interest first. I hate long posts.  

Edited May 17, 2023 by Joe Chandler