John 13:38
What does John 13:38 mean?
A plain-English look at John 13:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 13:38 means
Jesus answers with a piercing question—“Wilt thou lay down thy life for me?”—and a solemn prediction: before the cock crows, Peter will deny Him three times. Jesus knows Peter better than Peter knows himself. The prophecy does not merely expose weakness; it is mercy, preparing Peter for repentance after the fall. The denial will underline the sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice: salvation rests on the Shepherd’s faithfulness, not the disciple’s resolve. By the morning light, Peter will weep; by the risen Lord’s grace, he will be restored and, in the end, follow unto death as Jesus foretold.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Jesus said in answer, Will you give up your life for me? Truly I say to you, Before the cry of the cock you will have said three times that you are not my disciple.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus answered him, `Thy life for me thou wilt lay down! verily, verily, I say to thee, a cock will not crow till thou mayest deny me thrice.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus answered him: Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Amen, amen, I say to thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou deny me thrice.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus answers, Thou wilt lay down thy life for me! Verily, verily, I say to thee, The cock shall not crow till thou hast denied me thrice.
Context
This closing word answers Peter’s vow (verse 37) and leaves the room in solemn anticipation. Judas has gone to betray; Peter will soon deny; yet Jesus speaks of glory and commands love. The tensions introduced here will unfold in the arrest, trial, and crucifixion to come, while the teaching begun in this chapter continues in the following discourse.
v.37Peter saith unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee even now? I will lay down my life for thee.
v.38This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 16:18
Pridegoethbefore destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
- Matthew 26:69
Now Peter was sitting without in the court: and a maid came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilæan.
- Matthew 26:34
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
- Luke 22:56
And a certain maid seeing him as he sat in the light of the fire, and looking stedfastly upon him, said, This man also was with him.
- Luke 22:34
And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
- Mark 14:30
And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that thou to-day, even this night, before the cock crow twice, shalt deny me thrice.
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