Bible Strands
John 21:19
Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And after He had said this, He told him, “Follow Me.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses Peter immediately after describing how his old age will bring involuntary suffering. The statement occurs during a post-resurrection encounter where Jesus restores Peter and issues a direct commission.
The words — σημαίνων (sēmainōn) translates literally as “signifying” or “indicating,” and δόξασε (doxasei) means “he will glorify.” These terms explicitly show that Jesus framed Peter’s future violent death as the specific means by which he would bring glory to God.
The thread — The connection between physical death and divine glorification appears in 2 Peter 1:14, where Peter notes Jesus made clear his tent would soon be laid aside. The imperative to obey despite future hardship recurs in John 21:22 and Matthew 10:38, tying discipleship to cross-bearing.
Why it lands — The text commands immediate obedience to Jesus regardless of the cost or comparison with other followers. It requires the reader to accept a divinely appointed path without seeking personal comfort or attention.
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
This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
Cross-references
- 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 21:22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!”
- Matthew 10:38 and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.
- Philippians 1:20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
- 1 Samuel 12:20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “Even though you have committed all this evil, do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.
- Mark 8:33 But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
- 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.”
- Numbers 14:24 But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he has entered, and his descendants will inherit it.
- Matthew 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
- Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.