John 13:37

37 Peter said to Him, "Lord, why * can I not follow You right now? ¹I will lay down my life for You."

John 13:37 Meaning and Commentary

John 13:37

Peter said unto him
Not understanding Christ's answer, and being dissatisfied with it, inquires:

Lord, why cannot I follow thee now?
is the place inaccessible? are the difficulties in the way to it insuperable? the roughness of the road, or the dangers of it, will not discourage me; I am ready to go through the greatest dangers and difficulties, to follow thee: yea,

I will lay down my life for thy sake;
whatever enemies I should meet with in, following thee, would not dismay me; I would readily hazard my life, and cheerfully lay it down in defence of thee.

John 13:37 In-Context

35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

36 Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord , where are You going?" Jesus answered, "Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later."

37 Peter said to Him, "Lord , why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You."

38 Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.

Cross References

• 1. John 13:37, 38: {Matthew 26:33-35; Mark 14:29-31; Luke 22:33-34}