There has been some debate as to the usage of the Greek words translated to “love” in these verses. The two verbs are “agapao” and “phileo”. Previously, agapao was considered a greater love than phileo. Some even go so far as to say that the agapao type love is only possible from a divine entity while the highest love we mere mortals can hope to achieve is the phileo brand. If you follow these definitions then this conversation has a spin more like this:
Jesus: Peter, do you truly love me?
Peter: Yeah, Lord, you know that I really like you a lot.
Jesus: Do you truly love me?
Peter: Of course, you know that I really like you!
Jesus: Ugh. Peter do you like me as much as you like pizza?
Peter: Wow! It's like you're reading my mind!
Nowadays, scholars tend to drastically narrow the gap between agapao and phileo. For many people the words are synonymous. There are a few reasons for this change in philosophy. First, most of the earliest scholars didn't find a huge distinction between the two words. It's not overly suggested until the British scholars of the 1800's. Secondly, this conversation probably took place in Aramaic or Hebrew. In both of those languages there is only one word for love. It's not until you switch over to Greek that you get two variations. Finally, agapao and phileo are used interchangeably throughout the book of John. Both words are used for God's love for man and man's love for God.
If you agapao pizza:
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