Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word

John 13:37

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

KJV

λέγει αὐτῷ Πέτρος· κύριε, διατί οὐ δύναμαί σοι ἀκολουθῆσαι ἄρτι; τὴν ψυχήν μου ὑπὲρ σοῦ θήσω.

Greek NT

Dicit ei Petrus : Quare non possum te sequi modo ? animam meam pro te ponam.

Vulgate

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

ASV

Peter saith to him: Why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thee.

Douay-Rheims

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In the original Greek

15 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.

Πέτρος
petros
noun · 154×
αὐτός
autos
pronoun · 5564×
διατί
diati
particle · 24×
δύναμαι
dunamai
verb · 209×
κύριος
kurios
noun · 717×
λέγω
lego
verb · 2256×
οὐ
ou
particle · 1626×
σύ
su
pronoun · 1071×
τίθημι
tithemi
verb · 99×
ψυχή
psuche
noun · 102×
ἀκολουθέω
akoloutheo
verb · 91×
ἄρτι
arti
adverb · 33×
ἐγώ
ego
pronoun · 1720×
ὁ
o
article · 19778×
ὑπέρ
uper
preposition · 148×

Textual variants

2 variant units attested by manuscript witnesses and modern critical editions.

trivial
SBLGNT: ὁ | WH/Treg/NIV: ὁ
  • ὁ — SBLGNT
  • ὁ — Westcott-Hort, Tregelles, Reader's GNT (NA27)
source: sblgnt-apparatus
minor
SBLGNT: ἀκολουθῆσαι | NIV/RP: ἀκολουθῆσαι | WH/Treg: ἀκολουθεῖν
  • ἀκολουθῆσαι — SBLGNT
  • ἀκολουθῆσαι — Reader's GNT (NA27), Robinson-Pierpont
  • ἀκολουθεῖν — Westcott-Hort, Tregelles
source: sblgnt-apparatus

Historic Christian voices

6 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

2. And after six days He takes with Him Peter and James and John. Matthew 17:1 Now another says, after eight, Luke 9:28 not contradicting this writer, but most fully agreeing with him. For the one expressed both the very day on which He spoke, and that on which He led them up; but the other, the days between them only. But mark thou, I pray you, the severe goodness of Matthew, …
1. Be imitators of me, said Paul, as I also am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 For on this account He took also flesh of our substance, that by means of it He might teach us virtue. For (God sending His own Son) in the likeness of sinful flesh, it says, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh. Romans 8:3 And Christ Himself says, Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart. Matth…
1. There are indeed many other things which are able to give us boldness towards God, and to show us bright and approved, but that which most of all brings good will from on high, is tender care for our neighbor. Which therefore Christ requires of Peter. For when their eating was ended, Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love Me more than these? He says unto…

Cross-references

  • Acts 20:24 — But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel
  • Acts 21:13 — Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
  • John 11:16 — Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
  • John 21:15 — So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
  • Luke 9:57 — And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
  • Mark 14:27 — And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
  • Mark 14:31 — But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
  • Matt 26:35 — Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
  • Rev 14:4 — These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God
  • Ruth 1:16 — And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God