John 13:38

KJV

Jesus 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} him {G846}, Wilt thou lay down {G5087} thy {G4675} life {G5590} for {G5228} my sake {G1700}? Verily {G281}, verily {G281}, I say {G3004} unto thee {G4671}, The cock {G220} shall {G5455} not {G3364} crow {G5455}, till {G2193}{G3739} thou hast denied {G533} me {G3165} thrice {G5151}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua answered, “You will lay down your life for me? Yes, indeed! I tell you, before the rooster crows you will disown me three times.

Berean Standard Bible

“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.

American Standard Version

Jesus 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 13:38 captures a profoundly sobering moment at the Last Supper, where Jesus directly confronts Peter's fervent but ultimately misplaced confidence. In response to Peter's bold declaration of willingness to die for him, Jesus issues a stark prophecy: before the rooster crows, Peter will deny him three times. This exchange powerfully highlights the chasm between human zeal and divine foreknowledge, setting the stage for the testing of Peter's faith and revealing the fragility of human resolve apart from Christ's sustaining grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the intimate and emotionally charged setting of the Last Supper, following Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet and his announcement of his impending departure. After Judas's departure, Jesus gives the "new commandment" to love one another [John 13:34](/john/13-34 "John 13:34 - The New Commandment"), explaining that where he is going, the disciples cannot follow immediately. Peter, ever impetuous and eager, presses Jesus about his destination and boldly declares his readiness to lay down his life for Jesus. John 13:38 is Jesus' direct and prophetic response to Peter's self-assured boast, immediately preceding Jesus' comforting words in [John 14:1-3](/john/14-1-3 "John 14:1-3 - Jesus Comforts His Disciples").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is a private room in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, a time of heightened religious and political tension. The disciples, like many Jews of their time, likely harbored expectations of a conquering Messiah who would establish an earthly kingdom, making Peter's offer to "lay down his life" understandable within a framework of military loyalty. The "cock crowing" was a common time marker, often referring to the third watch of the night (around 3 AM), or simply the actual crowing of a rooster. For Peter, a Galilean fisherman, the concept of denying his master, especially under the threat of association with a condemned man, would have been a profound cultural and personal disgrace, particularly given the public nature of arrest and trial under Roman occupation.
* **Key Themes:** John 13:38 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **human frailty and overconfidence**, contrasting Peter's sincere but ultimately flawed self-reliance with Jesus' perfect **divine foreknowledge and sovereignty**. The prediction of denial highlights the **testing of faith** that disciples inevitably face, revealing the gap between good intentions and the ability to stand firm under pressure. Furthermore, it subtly foreshadows the **cost of true discipleship**, which often involves suffering and vulnerability, and sets the stage for the theme of **restoration and grace** that will unfold later in Peter's story, particularly in [John 21](/john/21 "John 21 - Jesus Appears to His Disciples").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Verily (Greek, _amḗn'_):** This word, transliterated from the Hebrew "amen," is used by Jesus exclusively in the Gospel of John, always doubled ("Verily, verily" or "Truly, truly"). According to G281, it signifies something "firm" or "trustworthy," and adverbially, "surely," often functioning as an interjection meaning "so be it." Its repetition here emphasizes the absolute certainty, solemnity, and divine authority of Jesus' pronouncement, underscoring that what he is about to say is an undeniable truth.
* **Lay down (Greek, _títhēmi'_):** From G5087, this verb means "to place" or "to put." While it can imply a passive or horizontal posture, its broader application here is "to commit," "to give," or "to set forth." Peter's boast, "Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake?", uses this word to express a profound act of self-sacrifice. Ironically, Jesus will indeed "lay down" his life, but not in the way Peter imagines, and Peter himself will fail to do so in the immediate future, highlighting the contrast between Peter's human effort and Christ's divine, purposeful sacrifice.
* **Denied (Greek, _aparnéomai'_):** Derived from G533, this word means "to deny utterly," or "to disown, abstain." It implies a complete repudiation or rejection. Jesus' use of this term for Peter's future action is stark, indicating not merely a casual oversight but a deliberate act of disassociation from Christ, driven by fear. This denial is a profound betrayal of Peter's earlier fervent declaration of loyalty, exposing the depth of human weakness when faced with extreme pressure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake?":** This opening clause reveals Jesus' direct engagement with Peter's bold, yet ultimately naive, declaration. Jesus' question is rhetorical, designed not to elicit an answer but to highlight the stark contrast between Peter's self-assured zeal and the harsh reality of his impending failure. It subtly challenges Peter's understanding of what it truly means to "lay down one's life," foreshadowing the true, costly sacrifice that only Jesus himself would perfectly fulfill.
* **"Verily, verily, I say unto thee,":** This solemn declaration, marked by the double "amen," emphasizes the absolute certainty and divine authority of Jesus' prophecy. It signals that what follows is not a mere prediction based on human insight, but a divinely revealed truth that will inevitably come to pass. This phrase underscores Jesus' omniscient knowledge, extending even to the future actions of his closest disciples.
* **"The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.":** This is the core of Jesus' prophecy. The "cock crowing" serves as a specific, time-bound marker, indicating that Peter's denial would occur within a very short timeframe, before dawn. The phrase "denied me thrice" is precise, foretelling the exact number of times Peter would disown his association with Jesus. This clause underscores the fragility of human resolve, even in the face of sincere intentions, and sets the stage for one of the most poignant moments of failure and subsequent restoration in the New Testament.

#### Literary Devices
John 13:38 is rich with **Irony**, as Peter's confident boast to "lay down his life" is immediately met with Jesus' prophecy of his utter denial, highlighting the gap between intention and action. The verse functions as powerful **Foreshadowing**, setting up the dramatic events of Peter's betrayal and subsequent repentance. The specific detail of "The cock shall not crow" serves as a precise and memorable **Symbolism** for the timing and nature of Peter's failure, a stark reminder of human weakness. Furthermore, Peter's initial declaration can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, an exaggerated expression of loyalty that, while sincere, overestimates his own strength and resolve.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a profound theological statement on the nature of human weakness and divine sovereignty. It reveals that even the most devoted disciples, like Peter, are susceptible to failure when faced with fear and pressure, underscoring the biblical truth that "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" [Matthew 26:41](/matthew/26-41 "Matthew 26:41 - The Spirit is Willing, but the Flesh is Weak"). Jesus' perfect foreknowledge of Peter's denial, spoken with solemn certainty, highlights his divine omniscience and control over all events, even the failures of his followers. Yet, this prediction is not a condemnation but a preparation, a painful truth that would ultimately lead Peter to a deeper understanding of his own need for grace and Christ's unwavering love, paving the way for his eventual restoration and powerful ministry. It reminds us that God often uses our failures, not just our successes, to shape us and reveal His greater purposes.

* [Matthew 26:34](/matthew/26-34 "Matthew 26:34 - Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial")
* [Luke 22:34](/luke/22-34 "Luke 22:34 - Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial")
* [John 21:15-19](/john/21-15-19 "John 21:15-19 - Jesus Restores Peter")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Peter's bold declaration and subsequent denial serve as a timeless lesson for every believer. It teaches us the critical importance of humility and self-awareness, warning against the dangers of overestimating our own spiritual strength or relying solely on our good intentions. While Peter's zeal was genuine, his confidence was misplaced, rooted in his own ability rather than in Christ's enabling power. This passage calls us to examine where our confidence truly lies. Do we trust in our own resolve, or do we humbly acknowledge our dependence on God's grace for steadfastness in the face of temptation and adversity? Jesus knows our weaknesses even better than we do, and his predictions are often not to shame us, but to prepare us, to reveal our need for him, and to demonstrate the sufficiency of his grace even in our deepest failures. It is a powerful reminder that true strength comes not from never falling, but from being picked up by the One who knows us fully and loves us unconditionally.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I tend to place my confidence—in my own abilities and intentions, or in Christ's strength?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be prone to Peter's overconfidence, and what might be the consequences?**
* **How does Jesus' foreknowledge of Peter's denial, yet his continued love for him, inform my understanding of God's grace towards my own weaknesses?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper reliance on Christ's empowering presence in my daily life?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus predict Peter's denial so specifically?**

Answer: Jesus' specific prediction of Peter's denial serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it demonstrates Jesus' divine omniscience and authority, proving that he knows all things, including future events and the hearts of his disciples. Secondly, it prepares Peter and the other disciples for the challenging events to come, showing them that even their failures are within God's sovereign plan. Thirdly, it underscores the fragility of human resolve apart from divine grace, teaching a profound lesson about humility and dependence on Christ. Finally, it sets the stage for Peter's ultimate restoration, highlighting Jesus' unwavering love and commitment to his disciples even after their failures, as seen later in [John 21](/john/21 "John 21 - Jesus Restores Peter").

**What is the significance of the "cock crowing" in this prophecy?**

Answer: The "cock crowing" serves as a precise and memorable time marker, indicating that Peter's denial would occur within a specific, short timeframe, before dawn. In ancient times, the "cock crow" (Latin: *gallicinium*) was a recognized division of the night, typically the third watch, occurring around 3 AM. It also provides a stark, auditory reminder of Peter's failure, as recorded in all four Gospels. For Peter, the sound of the rooster would forever be associated with the painful memory of his betrayal, a symbol of human weakness and the accuracy of Jesus' prophetic word.

**Did Peter's denial mean he was not truly a disciple?**

Answer: No, Peter's denial did not mean he was not a true disciple. While his actions were a profound failure of faith and loyalty, they were a temporary lapse, not a permanent rejection of Christ. Jesus had already prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail [Luke 22:32](/luke/22-32 "Luke 22:32 - Jesus Prays for Peter"), indicating that his fall would not be final. Peter's deep remorse and subsequent restoration by Jesus, particularly in [John 21](/john/21 "John 21 - Jesus Restores Peter"), confirm his genuine discipleship and demonstrate Jesus' boundless grace and forgiveness. His experience serves as a powerful testament to God's ability to restore and use even those who have stumbled.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 13:38, while exposing Peter's profound human weakness, ultimately points to the perfect strength and unwavering faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Peter's boast to "lay down his life" is a poignant contrast to the reality that only Jesus could, and would, truly lay down his life—not for his own sake, but for the sake of all humanity, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Jesus' divine foreknowledge of Peter's denial underscores his absolute sovereignty and omniscience, demonstrating that even human failure is not outside of his divine plan, but can be woven into a narrative of redemption. Unlike Peter, who would falter under pressure, Jesus steadfastly set his face toward Jerusalem, enduring the cross for the joy set before him [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking Unto Jesus"). This passage, therefore, highlights Christ as the perfect, faithful High Priest who understands our weaknesses yet never succumbs to them [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Understands"), and as the compassionate Shepherd who pursues and restores his wayward sheep, transforming failure into a foundation for deeper faith and service [John 21:15-19](/john/21-15-19 "John 21:15-19 - Jesus Restores Peter").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 22:34

And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

Matthew 26:34

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Mark 14:30

And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, [even] in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Luke 22:56

But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

Luke 22:62

And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Matthew 26:69

¶ Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

Matthew 26:75

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.