Bible Strands
John 13:38
“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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses Peter immediately after Peter declares he is willing to die for Him. This exchange occurs during the Last Supper, directly following Peter's vow in John 13:37.
The words — The Greek ἀποκρίνεται (apokrinetai) means "answers" or "says in reply," framing Jesus' direct response. The phrase τὴν ψυχὴν σου ὑπὲρ (psuchēn sou huper) literally translates to "your life for," which Jesus uses to question Peter's earlier claim rather than repeat it.
The thread — Jesus repeats this prediction of Peter's threefold denial before the rooster crows in Luke 22:34, Matthew 26:34, and Mark 14:30.
Why it lands — The text records Jesus asking Peter if he will lay down his life for Him, then immediately stating that Peter will deny knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crows. It demands a reader confront the gap between confident self-assurance and actual human failure.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Luke 22:34 But Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”
- Matthew 26:34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
- Mark 14:30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”
- Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
- Matthew 26:69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said.
- Luke 22:56 A servant girl saw him seated in the firelight and looked intently at him. “This man also was with Him,” she said.
- Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
- Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
- Mark 14:66 While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the servant girls of the high priest came down
- John 18:25 Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself. So they asked him, “Aren’t you also one of His disciples?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”