John 21:15

An Exegetical Analysis of πλεῖον + Genitive in New Testament Comparative Constructions

This exegetical study of the comparative adverb/adjective πλεῖον is based on a b-greek discussion from November 23rd, 2016. The initial query focused on the ambiguity of πλεῖον τούτων in John 21:15, asking whether the phrase means “Do you love me more than these other disciples do?” or “Do you love me more than you love these other disciples?” The discussion acknowledges that both interpretations appear grammatically plausible from the Greek.

The main exegetical issue revolves around the flexible grammatical function of πλεῖον (the neuter singular comparative of πολύς) when combined with a genitive. The central challenge is to determine whether the genitive is a genitive of comparison directly related to πλεῖον acting adverbially (e.g., “more *than x*”), or if πλεῖον functions substantively, implying an unstated noun, with the genitive comparing that implied noun (e.g., “a greater *thing* than *x*”). This syntactic fluidity leads to distinct semantic and rhetorical implications, particularly in contexts where the comparative can refer either to the degree of an action (e.g., “more greatly”) or to a comparative object/subject (e.g., “a greater amount” or “someone/something greater”).

Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Σίμων Ἰωάννου, ἀγαπᾷς με πλεῖον τούτων; Λέγει αὐτῷ, Ναί, Κύριε, σὺ οἶδας ὅτι φιλῶ σε. Λέγει αὐτῷ, Βόσκε τὰ ἀρνία μου. (John 21:15, Nestle 1904)

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• For John 21:15, the SBLGNT (2010) text of the question, “Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Σίμων Ἰωάννου, ἀγαπᾷς με πλεῖον τούτων;”, is identical to the Nestle (1904) edition, indicating no textual variants affecting the crucial phrase under examination.
• Similarly, for Matthew 12:42, Luke 11:31 (πλεῖον Σολομῶνος ὧδε), and Mark 12:43 (πλεῖον πάντων), critical editions including SBLGNT (2010) show no significant variations that alter the form or immediate context of πλεῖον + genitive. The exegetical challenge in these passages lies in interpretation rather than textual reconstruction.

From a textual critical perspective, the form πλεῖον + genitive is consistently attested in major manuscript traditions for the discussed passages (John 21:15, Matthew 12:42, Luke 11:31, Mark 12:43), as reflected in critical editions such as NA28. There are no significant variants that would alter the grammatical or lexical analysis of these constructions. Lexically, πλεῖον is the neuter singular of the comparative adjective πλείων, derived from πολύς (BDAG, s.v. πλείων, πλεῖον). BDAG highlights its versatility, noting uses for comparative *amount*, *number*, and *degree* (“more, greater”). Crucially, BDAG directly addresses the ambiguity in John 21:15, listing both interpretations: “more than these [people] do” or “more than you love these [things/persons].” KITTEL (TDNT, s.v. πολύς) further underscores the semantic range of the πολύς word group, including its comparative forms, to express not only quantitative superiority but also qualitative preeminence. The neuter form πλεῖον can function adverbially (modifying a verb or adjective, as in “more greatly” or “to a greater extent”) or substantively (meaning “a greater thing” or “something greater”), particularly evident in Matthew 12:42 and Luke 11:31 where it functions as the subject of the implied verb of being. This flexibility is central to the exegetical challenge.

Translation Variants

The grammatical and rhetorical analysis of πλεῖον + genitive reveals nuanced possibilities across different New Testament contexts:

• In John 21:15 (ἀγαπᾷς με πλεῖον τούτων), the ambiguity is pronounced. The genitive τούτων (from οὗτος) could refer to the other disciples present.
  • One interpretation understands πλεῖον adverbially, modifying ἀγαπᾷς, with τούτων serving as a genitive of comparison indicating the subjects of an implied verb: “Do you love me more than *these [disciples] do*?” Rhetorically, this challenges Peter’s personal commitment relative to his peers, prompting self-reflection on his publicly affirmed devotion.
  • Alternatively, πλεῖον could still be adverbial, but with τούτων as a genitive of comparison referring to objects of affection: “Do you love me more than *you love these [disciples/things]*?” This interpretation probes the hierarchy of Peter’s love, questioning if his affection for Christ surpasses his affection for anything or anyone else, including his fellow disciples or worldly pursuits. The Greek allows for both, forcing a consideration of Peter’s love on two fronts: its intensity compared to others, and its priority compared to other objects of love.
• In Matthew 12:42 and Luke 11:31 (πλεῖον Σολομῶνος ὧδε), πλεῖον functions substantively in the neuter singular, meaning “something greater.” The genitive Σολομῶνος is a straightforward genitive of comparison. The phrase translates to “something greater than Solomon is here.” Here, πλεῖον acts as the subject, unequivocally referring to Jesus and asserting his superior authority, wisdom, and significance compared to Solomon. The rhetorical impact is a declaration of Christ’s unparalleled supremacy.
• In Mark 12:43 (πλεῖον πάντων), spoken concerning the poor widow’s offering, the interpretation mirrors the dilemma in John 21:15. πλεῖον can be understood either as a substantive object of the verb ἔβαλεν (“she cast *a greater amount* than all [the others]”) or adverbially (“she cast *more greatly* than all [the others]”). The genitive πάντων refers to “all the others” who contributed. Both interpretations underscore the magnitude of her sacrifice relative to her means, highlighting the qualitative aspect of her giving over the quantitative sum, but the precise grammatical relation of πλεῖον to the verb remains fluid, impacting whether the emphasis is on the *quantity given* or the *degree of her action*.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

The analysis of πλεῖον + genitive demonstrates its grammatical flexibility in the New Testament, functioning as both an adverbial comparative and a substantive. While contexts like Matthew 12:42 and Luke 11:31 clearly indicate a substantive use (“something greater”), passages like John 21:15 and Mark 12:43 present an inherent ambiguity that reflects the nuanced nature of Koine Greek comparatives. This ambiguity is not a deficiency but rather allows for layers of meaning, inviting deeper theological reflection on the text.

For John 21:15, given the persistent grammatical and semantic ambiguity, translators should consider renderings that either choose one plausible interpretation or attempt to convey the inherent openness of the Greek:

1. “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than *these others do*?”
   This translation understands πλεῖον adverbially, comparing the *intensity* or *quantity* of Peter’s love for Jesus relative to that of the other disciples.
2. “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than *you love these disciples/things*?”
   This translation interprets the genitive τούτων as referring to other objects of Peter’s affection, thus comparing Peter’s love for Jesus with his love for other persons or worldly attachments.
3. “Simon, son of John, do you love me *to a greater extent* than these?”
   This rendering aims to preserve some of the inherent ambiguity of the Greek, allowing for both comparative interpretations regarding the degree of love (compared to others’ love) or the object of love (compared to love for others), without definitively choosing one.