The paper argues that the verbs ἀγαπάω and φιλέω occurring in John 21, 15–17 do not express different kinds of love (higher and lower), as some commentators claimed. At the same time, it may reasonably be doubted whether John used synonyms here only for stylistic reasons. Context analysis of the dialogue between Jesus and Peter points to allusions to their conversation in John 13, 31–38 and Jesus’ definition of love cited in John 15, 12–14. The identification of the references leads to the conclusion that the alternation of the synonymous verbs reflects the pattern ἀγάπη-φίλοι observed in the latter passage.

Foreskin, apart from its literal meaning, functions in Tanach also as a metaphor of blemish. Similarly, the circumcision is presented as a removal thereof. The perfecting function of the rite is visible in Second Temple texts, as well as in later tannaitic sources. The purpose of this paper is to analyze words of Jesus found in J 7:22–23 in the light of circumcision in the Hebrew Bible, understood as a ritual performed to remove a blemish. The conclusion is that Jesus’ words in the analyzed verses continue the biblical view, attesting to an exegetical trend visible in later Jewish sources.