John 13:37
What does John 13:37 mean?
A plain-English look at John 13:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 13:37 means
Peter presses, “Lord, why cannot I follow thee even now? I will lay down my life for thee.” His devotion is sincere, but he overestimates his strength. He imagines loyalty proved by heroic sacrifice, yet he will falter before a servant’s question. Peter’s words foreshadow his later restoration, where Jesus will indeed call him to costly faithfulness, but not by bravado. For now, his promise reveals the gap between intention and capacity. Jesus must shepherd him through failure into true courage birthed by grace.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Peter saith unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee even now? I will lay down my life for thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Peter saith unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee even now? I will lay down my life for thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Peter said to him, Why may I not come with you even now? I will give up my life for you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Peter saith to him, `Sir, wherefore am I not able to follow thee now? my life for thee I will lay down;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Peter saith to him: Why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Peter says to him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thee.
Context
This bold claim immediately precedes Jesus’ corrective prophecy in verse 38. The sequence highlights the contrast between human confidence and divine knowledge. It also prepares for the events of the arrest and trial, where Peter’s denial will occur. The chapter ends on this sober note, setting the stage for the upper-room discourse that continues in the next chapters.
v.36Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow afterwards.
v.37This passage
v.38Jesus answereth, Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 20:24
But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
- Luke 22:31
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:
- John 21:15
So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, 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.
- Mark 14:27
And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered abroad.
- Acts 21:13
Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
- Matthew 26:31
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
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