John 13:37

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

Complete Jewish Bible:

“Lord,” Kefa said to him, “why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you!”

Berean Standard Bible:

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

American Standard Version:

Peter saith unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee even now? I will lay down my life for thee.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Peter^{G4074} said^{G3004} unto him^{G846}, Lord^{G2962}, why^{G1302} cannot^{{G3756}{G1410}} I follow^{G190} thee^{G4671} now^{G737}? I will lay down^{G5087} my^{G3450} life^{G5590} for^{G5228} thy sake^{G4675}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for John 13:37

John 13:37 captures a moment during the Last Supper, a significant event in Christianity that occurs just before Jesus' crucifixion. In this verse, the Apostle Peter, speaking with fervent loyalty, expresses his desire to follow Jesus at that very moment, even declaring his willingness to lay down his life for Jesus' sake. This statement reflects the deep devotion Peter has for Jesus, yet it also underscores Peter's lack of understanding of the events that are about to unfold and the nature of Jesus' mission, which includes suffering and death.

Historically, this verse is situated within the broader context of Jesus' impending arrest, trial, and crucifixion. It is a poignant snapshot of the tension between human loyalty and divine purpose. Peter's assertion of his readiness to defend Jesus contrasts sharply with his subsequent denial of Jesus during the night of Jesus' arrest, as predicted by Jesus in the same chapter (John 13:38). This juxtaposition highlights the theme of human frailty and the need for divine grace, a recurring motif in the Gospel of John.

Theologically, Peter's declaration in John 13:37 speaks to the themes of discipleship, self-sacrifice, and the cost of following Christ. It challenges believers to consider the depth of their commitment to Jesus and the reality that true discipleship involves not only moments of courage but also an acceptance of one's own limitations and the necessity of God's grace to fulfill one's promises. This verse encourages reflection on the nature of faithfulness and the call to follow Jesus, even when the path leads to suffering or death.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G4074
   There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Πέτρος
   Transliteration: Pétros
   Pronunciation: pet'-ros
   Description: apparently a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than λίθος); as a name, Petrus, an apostle:--Peter, rock. Compare Κηφᾶς.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
3. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2962
   There are 687 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κύριος
   Transliteration: kýrios
   Pronunciation: koo'-ree-os
   Description: from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1302
   There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διατί
   Transliteration: diatí
   Pronunciation: dee-at-ee'
   Description: from διά and τίς; through what cause ?, i.e. why?:--wherefore, why.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3756
   There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐ
   Transliteration: ou
   Pronunciation: ookh
   Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1410
   There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δύναμαι
   Transliteration: dýnamai
   Pronunciation: doo'-nam-ahee
   Description: of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
   
8. Strong's Number: G190
   There are 939 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀκολουθέω
   Transliteration: akolouthéō
   Pronunciation: ak-ol-oo-theh'-o
   Description: from Α (as a particle of union) and (a road); properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specially, as a disciple):--follow, reach.
   
9. Strong's Number: G4671
   There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σοί
   Transliteration: soí
   Pronunciation: soy
   Description: dative case of σύ; to thee:--thee, thine own, thou, thy.
   
10. Strong's Number: G737
    There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἄρτι
    Transliteration: árti
    Pronunciation: ar'-tee
    Description: adverb from a derivative of αἴρω (compare ἄρτος) through the idea of suspension; just now:--this day (hour), hence(-forth), here(-after), hither(-to), (even) now, (this) present.
    
11. Strong's Number: G5087
    There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τίθημι
    Transliteration: títhēmi
    Pronunciation: theh'-o
    Description: a prolonged form of a primary (which is used only as alternate in certain tenses); to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from ἵστημι, which properly denotes an upright and active position, while κεῖμαι is properly reflexive and utterly prostrate):--+ advise, appoint, bow, commit, conceive, give, X kneel down, lay (aside, down, up), make, ordain, purpose, put, set (forth), settle, sink down.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3450
    There are 471 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μοῦ
    Transliteration: moû
    Pronunciation: moo
    Description: the simpler form of ἐμοῦ; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.
    
13. Strong's Number: G5590
    There are 95 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ψυχή
    Transliteration: psychḗ
    Pronunciation: psoo-khay'
    Description: from ψύχω; breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from πνεῦμα, which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from ζωή, which is mere vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ, רוּחַ and חַי):--heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you.
    
14. Strong's Number: G5228
    There are 144 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑπέρ
    Transliteration: hypér
    Pronunciation: hoop-er'
    Description: a primary preposition; "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than:--(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.
    
15. Strong's Number: G4675
    There are 360 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σοῦ
    Transliteration: soû
    Pronunciation: soo
    Description: genitive case of σύ; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy.