Biblical Papacy? Part 3 – Was Peter the only shepherd?

This is the third article in the series on the biblical foundation (or lack thereof) of the Catholic Papacy. This article builds on concepts developed in the first two articles, so I suggest that you read those first.

Last time, we covered that it is possible, and even necessary, to assume that the rock in Matthew 16 was Jesus himself, and not Simon Peter. While that is the main passage used to support the primacy of Simon Peter, it isn’t the only one.

John 21:15-17 AMP (translation notes removed for clarity)
15 When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He said to him, Feed My lambs.
16 Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep.
17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.

Catholic apologists hold that this passage serves two purposes. First, it is a threefold reinstatement which erases the threefold denial Simon Peter made of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:55-62, John 18:25-27). Second, it gives Simon Peter authority over the church (the flock).

We see in verses 15 and 17 that Peter is to feed (“boskō”) his (Jesus’) flock. This is another spiritual metaphor. Jesus isn’t actually saying to give physical food to his flock, but rather to spiritually feed, or nurture, his flock (his followers, the church).

In verse 16, we see something just a little different. In this case, the word used is “poimainō”, which is to tend, to shepherd, and to watch over. So, between these verses, we do indeed see that Peter is given an authoritative role, as one who is to tend and spiritually nurture the flock of God.

The question then, is whether or not Peter was distinct in this role. A good start, as always, is to have a look at the Greek, and see where else it’s used. We’ll focus first on “poimainō”. Let’s see if it’s used elsewhere to indicate the position of a shepherd, or some form of authority over the church…

• Paul speaks of the elders of the church as ones who have been entrusted as overseers (other translations and passages use the term bishops, pastors and/or guardians), and exhorts them to tend (poimainō) the flock they have been entrusted. (Acts 20:28)
• Peter tells his “fellow elders” to feed (poimainō) the flock of God which is among them. (1 Peter 5:2)
• Matthew’s gospel records the words of the prophet which tell us that, out of Bethlehem, shall come a leader that will rule (poimainō) God’s people. (Matthew 2:6)
• Paul writes that there were some that were given to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some teachers, and some pastors (poimēn, noun form). (Ephesians 4:11)

That should be enough relevant instances of poimainō (and poimēn, its noun form). For boskō, I could find no relevant passages. Regardless, we already have enough evidence here to establish that Peter was clearly not the only person intended to be a shepherd, or pastor.

To go further into understanding the meaning of the passage in John, we should notice that the words used never say to rule over the flock, but rather to tend, nurture, feed, and guard it.

Regardless, we primarily know that Jesus is the shepherd…

John 10:1-8 AMP
1 I ASSURE you, most solemnly I tell you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way (elsewhere, from some other quarter) is a thief and a robber.
2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 The watchman opens the door for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out.
4 When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
5 They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call.
6 Jesus used this parable (illustration) with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about.
7 So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep.
8 All others who came [as such] before Me are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not listen to and obey them.

Without a doubt, Jesus is the greatest shepherd, who has watched over us, and will watch over us until the end of time. From the passages read here, while it’s clear that Peter certainly was consider a pastor (an elder, a bishop, etc), that is a position in which he shared equal stature in with other apostles and church leaders.

As always, please leave comments, suggestions, or criticisms. I look forward to hearing them.