Bible Strands
John 13:36
“Lord, where are You going?” Simon Peter asked. Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Simon Peter asks Jesus where He is going immediately after Jesus commands the disciples to love one another. Jesus addresses Peter directly in response to this question.
The words — The Greek term ὑπάγεις (hupageis) literally means “go You?” in Peter’s question, while the verb ἀπεκρίθη (apekrithē) records Jesus’ direct reply.
The thread — The theme of Jesus’ impending departure and Peter’s future role appears in John 13:33 and is recalled by Peter in 2 Peter 1:14. Peter’s subsequent questions about Jesus’ plans continue in John 21:21.
Why it lands — The text states that Peter cannot follow Jesus to His destination immediately but will do so later. It requires the reader to acknowledge the distinction between present limitation and future fulfillment in Christ’s plan.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
Cross-references
- John 21:21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
- 2 Peter 1:14 because I know that this tent will soon be laid aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
- John 13:33 Little children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’
- John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
- John 21:18 Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
- John 14:4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
- John 16:17 Then some of His disciples asked one another, “Why is He telling us, ‘In a little while you will not see Me, and then after a little while you will see Me’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?”