The answer
Some scholars teach that in these three questions our Lord uses the verb 'agapaoo', which signifies to love affectionately, ardently, supremely, perfectly, a self-sacrificial love and that Peter always replies, using the verb 'phileo' which signifies to love, to like, to regard, to feel tender affection and friendship for another. As if our Lord had said, "Peter, do you love me ardently and supremely?" To which he answers, "Lord, I feel affection for You, I do esteem you but dare, at present, say no more."However, according to the Greek text (and all the Greek Bibles) the first two times our Lord Jesus Christ uses the word love, He uses the Greek word agape. Both of these times, St. Peter responds with phileo. On the third time, when our Lord speaks the word love, He uses the word pile. To this, St. Peter responds with pile. Many times in the New Testament these two words are used interchangeably, both meaning love.
The main issue in this passage is the fact that since St. Peter denied Christ three times (Mt 26:69-75), our Lord asks St. Peter three times to confess his love for Him, thus restoring St. Peter to his ministry of shepherding Christ's flock.
Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)