Ancient Near Eastern texts traditionally depict the king as a king-shepherd who provides for the well-being of his subjects. In the Bible, Jeremiah uses this concept as a basis to rebuke the kings of Israel for their slackness in office (Jer 2:8; 10:21). The prophet then proclaims that God will give Israel new shepherds who will pasture the people with integrity 3:15). Ezekiel later takes up the theme, and also rebukes the kings and the other leaders of Israel for their neglect of the people (34:1-10). He proclaims that this time God will take the people, his flock, out of the charge of their human leaders. God declares himself the shepherd of the people (Ez 34:11-22; Ps 23; Is 40:11). The time will come, however, when God will give the people a shepherd of his own choice, another David (Ez 34:23-24).

Jesus sees his relationship with the crowd that follow him as that of a shepherd and the sheep (Mt 9:36-37). This compassionate disposition of Jesus makes him literally feed the crowd, like a shepherd feeding the sheep. Later, Jesus proclaims himself as the “Good Shepherd” who does not only lead the sheep to green pastures, but also lays down his life for his flock (Jn 10).

Jesus’ words to Peter—”Feed my lambs” (v 15)—can be taken as the giving of a solemn charge to care for and to rule the community of believers in his name. Jesus, the Chief Shepherd (1 Pt 5:4), enters into a contract with Peter as a delegated caretaker. In accordance with the Semitic form of entering an agreement (Gn 23:3- 20), Jesus stresses the terms of the agreement three times.

The apostolic tradition will later pass on this image of the shepherd who is “feeding the flock” as a metaphor for Christian leadership (1 Pt 5:1-4; Acts 20:28-29).

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.