John 13:36
What does John 13:36 mean?
A plain-English look at John 13:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 13:36 means
Simon Peter asks, “Lord, whither goest thou?” Jesus replies that Peter cannot follow Him now, but will follow afterward. Peter’s heart is fixed on staying close, but the path ahead—through death and resurrection into the Father’s presence—is uniquely the Lord’s to tread first. “Afterwards” holds promise: a future reunion and, for Peter, a share in suffering and glory in due time. The answer both restrains and reassures. Timing belongs to Jesus. Impatience must yield to trust that He leads the way to a place prepared.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow afterwards.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow afterwards.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Simon Peter said to him, Lord, where are you going? Jesus said in answer, Where I am going you may not come with me now, but you will come later.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Simon Peter saith to him, `Sir, whither dost thou go away?' Jesus answered him, `Whither I go away, thou art not able now to follow me, but afterward thou shalt follow me.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Simon Peter saith to him: Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered: Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now: but thou shalt follow hereafter.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Simon Peter says to him, Lord, where goest thou? Jesus answered him, Where I go thou canst not follow me now, but thou shalt follow me after.
Context
This exchange follows the new commandment (verses 34–35), showing Peter still grappling with Jesus’ departure in verse 33. In verse 37 Peter will assert his readiness to die for Jesus, revealing zeal without full self-knowledge. Jesus will respond in verse 38 with a solemn prediction that before morning Peter will deny Him three times, exposing human weakness and the Lord’s foreknowledge.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 21:18
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
- John 14:2
In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
- John 13:33
Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say unto you.
- John 21:21
Peter therefore seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
- 2 Peter 1:14
knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle cometh swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ signified unto me.
- John 16:17
Some of his disciples therefore said one to another, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye behold me not; and again a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
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