John 13:36

John 13:36, in plain English

Peter asks, 'Lord, where are you going?' Jesus says, 'You can't follow Me now, but you will later.' It is a promise wrapped in mystery.

Why it's here

Jesus knows that Peter will one day follow Him all the way to death. Church tradition says Peter was eventually crucified for his faith. But tonight, Peter isn't ready for that yet.

Who's speaking

Peter and Jesus exchange words about the road ahead.

Where it sits in the story

Peter's heart is breaking at the thought of Jesus leaving. He wants to go wherever Jesus goes. And Jesus says: you will. Just not yet. What Peter doesn't know is that 'later' means following Jesus all the way to his own cross, decades down the road.

The scholarly reading

Peter asks where Jesus is going, and Jesus promises that Peter will follow Him 'later' (hysteron), a veiled reference to Peter's eventual martyrdom (cf. John 21:18-19).

Language and setting

Peter's question shifts focus from the community's love to the individual disciple's destiny. Jesus' answer hints at Peter's future crucifixion, tradition holds he was crucified upside down in Rome.

Voice

Peter questions Jesus, and Jesus responds with a promise that carries both comfort and foreboding.

Significance

Peter, unable to accept separation from Jesus, demands to know where He is going. Jesus' answer is both reassuring and ominous: Peter will follow, but not yet. The 'later' conceals a reference to Peter's own martyrdom, decades in the future.

34A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.

35By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

36“Lord, where are You going?” Simon Peter asked.

37“Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”

38“Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.

Read all of John 13 — Hours before His death, Jesus wraps a towel around His waist and washes His disciples' feet. Then He gives them a new command.