What is Jesus asking Peter?

• John 21:15 (ESV)
• John 21:16 (ESV)
• John 21:17 (ESV)
• John 21:18 (ESV)
• John 21:19 (ESV)

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When Jesus asks Peter "do you love me more than these", what is Jesus referring to by "these"? There are three common interpretations:

1) Do you love me more than these disciples love me?
2) Do you love me more that you love these disciples?
3) Do you love me more than these fish? (note that Jesus had just done a miracle that caused the disciples to catch fish)

The Greek word for "these" (ταυτων) is genitive plural which looks identical in all genders. Thus, it doesn't clarify what Jesus was referring to. However, I think that Jesus is most likely asking Peter if he loves Jesus more than his fellow disciples love him for the following reasons.

1) John 21:15-17 seems to be contrasting with the run up to Peter's denial of Christ (Matthew 16) where Peter denies him three times after telling Jesus that he will never deny even if all the other disciples deny him.
2) The fact that Peter never really answers Jesus' question directly (i.e. he won't say that he loves Jesus more than these) makes sense if Peter is being asked to declare he loves Jesus more than his fellow disciples

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