That's a thing with me too. I am familiar with KJV phrases for many verses that I can't remember the references of. KJV is what is in my head, blood, and heart.
John 21
15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon,
son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16He saith to him again the second time, Simon,
son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17He saith unto him the third time, Simon,
son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
I'm not very familiar with other translations. What do the other translations reveal about John 21:15-17 that KJV does not? (Question is for anyone.)
Upon consideration of the different translations concerning John 21:15-17 I believe the KJV verses are consistent with Peter being told to feed sheep (2 verses) and lambs (1 verse). Whereas some of the other translations modify feeding with tending to sheep. Why is this relevant? Because the scripture references parallel what Peter actually did concerning feeding. Peter fed both sheep and lambs spiritual food. Sheep are mature and can easily be seen as Jewish, whereas as lambs are young; such as Gentiles who were later given the opportunity to become sons of God. Feeding and tending sheep are entirely different.
Peter fed the Jewish population (sheep) in Acts 2:1-38
Peter was also involved in feeding the Samaritans who were 1/2 Jewish (sheep) in Acts 8
Peter fed Gentiles (lambs) in Acts 10
"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,
Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,
Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him,
Feed my sheep." KJV
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "
Feed my lambs."
16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "
Take care of my sheep."
17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "
Feed my sheep. NIV
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, 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 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
He said to him, "
Tend My sheep."
17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?"
And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."
Jesus said to him, "
Feed My sheep. NKJV