Holbik

Peter receives a three-fold pastoral commission that mirrors his three denials

Poimen (Ποιμήν , “shepherd”) appears 18 times in the New Testament, seventeen referring to Jesus. Peter is the model, given a pastoral commission at his last meeting with Jesus. In John 21 Jesus asks three times whether Peter loves him and gives a distinct charge each time, alternating both verb and noun for the flock. The structure mirrors the three denials exactly, one restoration per failure.

Holbik
by 12+ years independent biblical research

The word

TermGreek/HebrewMeaning
poimenποιμήνshepherd
poimaineinποιμαίνεινto shepherd, to tend
Kephaכֵּיפָאrock (Aramaic); gematria 111

Peter

The gematria of Kepha (כֵּיפָא ) is 111: kaf (20) + yod (10) + pe (80) + aleph (1). “Church” appears 111 times in the KJV New Testament. Both words appear together in Matthew 16:18 , where Jesus gives Simon his new name and announces he will build his ekklesia on that rock.

Peter wrote from the position of undershepherd in 1 Peter 5:4 : “when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” Christ holds the office. Peter, and every pastor after him, extends it locally to specific people in a specific place.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Kepha, the Aramaic name Jesus gives Peter in Matthew 16:18, has a gematria value of 111. The word church appears 111 times in the KJV New Testament. Both words appear together in the same verse where Jesus names Peter and announces he will build his church.

  • Acts 20:17-28 addresses the same group as presbuteroi (elders), calls them episkopoi (overseers), and instructs them to poimainein (shepherd the church). Three words for the same people from three angles: who they are, what they do, and how they relate to the flock.

  • Peter denied Jesus three times at a charcoal fire in John 18:18. The John 21 commission begins at another charcoal fire in verse 9. The three-fold structure is a deliberate restoration, one charge per denial.

About the Author

Holbik