Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter, in his earnestness, misses the deeper meaning of Jesus' departure, focusing on where Jesus is going rather than the spiritual reality of it. Jesus' reply highlights that Peter cannot follow now, not because he lacks the desire, but because he lacks the spiritual maturity and experience to truly grasp and endure what lies ahead.
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just moments after Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper and gives a new commandment to love one another, he foretells his betrayal and departure. Peter, still not grasping Jesus' impending suffering and glorification, anxiously asks where Jesus is going, even as Jesus has just told them they cannot follow him now. Jesus gently corrects Peter's eager but premature confidence, revealing that while Peter will eventually follow, he is not yet ready for the path of suffering.
Peter’s heart is bursting with loyalty, but his eyes can’t see the full picture. Have you ever felt that tension – a deep desire to follow, but a fog obscuring the way?
Peter’s question, "Lord, where are you going?" isn't just about geography. It’s a deep yearning stemming from Jesus’ earlier statement, "Where I am going you cannot come" (John 13:33). Peter is glued to Jesus’ physical presence. He can’t imagine following Jesus anywhere he himself cannot go. His desire to be with Jesus is pure, but it’s tied to an earthly understanding. He’s like a student who can’t imagine life after graduation, even though graduation is the goal.
This highlights a common human tendency: we want to grasp everything immediately, to see the whole map before taking the first step. Our faith can get stuck when we demand clarity beyond what’s currently revealed, rather than trusting the One who does see the whole path.
Jesus tells Peter he can't follow 'now' but will follow 'afterward.' What’s the difference? It’s about timing, readiness, and God’s divine timing.
Jesus’ answer, "you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward," is crucial. It’s not a rejection of Peter’s love, but a realistic assessment of his current capacity.
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This teaches us that God’s call to follow Him isn't always immediate or easy. It involves a process. We must trust that God is working, even when we feel ill-equipped or unable to take the next step. His plans unfold in His perfect timing.
Understand the original words
Kyrios · Greek Noun
A title of reverence and authority, recognizing Jesus as the Master, Sovereign, and divine Teacher. In the New Testament, it serves as an acknowledgment of His lordship and messianic identity.
akoloutheō · Greek Verb
The act of actively walking behind someone, signifying discipleship, obedience, and imitation. It implies a total commitment to Christ's path, including His suffering and glory.
Peter's fervent declaration and Jesus' somber response highlight the gap between human zeal and divine timing, underscoring that true following requires not just willingness but God's enabling grace, often realized after a period of growth and even failure.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Last Supper
Jesus shares a final meal with his disciples in Jerusalem during Passover, knowing his arrest and execution are imminent.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Arrest
Shortly after the Last Supper, Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested by temple authorities in the Garden of Gethsemane.
c. AD 30
Peter's Denial
While Jesus is being interrogated, Peter, fearing for his life, denies knowing Jesus three times, just as Jesus predicted.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified and then resurrected on the third day, fulfilling prophecies and His own words.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Appears to Disciples
Following His resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples multiple times, offering comfort, instruction, and commissioning them.
c. AD 60s
Peter's Martyrdom
Tradition holds that Peter eventually followed Jesus in death, likely being crucified upside down in Rome during Nero's persecution.
This passage directly fulfills Jesus' promise to Peter, explaining that 'afterward' he would indeed follow Jesus, even to the point of glorifying God with his death, which connects to Jesus' prophecy about Peter's future martyrdom.
Luke 22:31-34Jesus predicts Peter's denial here, mirroring the statement in John 13:36-38 that Peter cannot follow Him now due to his weakness, highlighting the contrast between Peter's bold claims and his eventual failure.
Matthew 16:23Jesus rebukes Peter by telling him to 'get behind me, Satan' because his thoughts are not on God but on man. This shows Peter's natural tendency to prioritize human comfort and understanding over God's divine plan, a theme present in his inability to follow Jesus then.
John 14:2-3Jesus answers Peter's question indirectly by speaking of going to prepare a place for His followers. This offers the comfort that while Peter cannot follow Him *now* in His suffering, there is a future reunion where they will be together eternally.
calvinJohn 13:36-38: "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."
- Simon Peter saith to him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. 37. Peter saith to him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I, will lay down my life for thee. 38. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Verily, verily,…
henryJohn 13:36-38: "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."
13:36-38 What Christ had said concerning brotherly love, Peter overlooked, but spoke of that about which Christ kept them ignorant. It is common to be more eager to know about secret things, which belong to God only, than about things revealed, which belong to us and our children; to be more desirous to have our curiosity grat…
Peter, in his earnestness, misses the deeper meaning of Jesus' departure, focusing on where Jesus is going rather than the spiritual reality of it. Jesus' reply highlights that Peter cannot follow now, not because he lacks the desire, but because he lacks the spiritual maturity and experience to truly grasp and endure what lies ahead.
Just moments after Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper and gives a new commandment to love one another, he foretells his betrayal and departure. Peter, still not grasping Jesus' impending suffering and glorification, anxiously asks where Jesus is going, even as Jesus has just told them they cannot follow him now. Jesus gently corrects Peter's eager but premature confidence, revealing that while Peter will eventually follow, he is not yet ready for the path of suffering.
Just moments after Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper and gives a new commandment to love one another, he foretells his betrayal and departure. Peter, still not grasping Jesus' impending suffering and glorification, anxiously asks where Jesus is going, even as Jesus has just told them they cannot follow him now. Jesus gently corrects Peter's eager but premature confidence, revealing that while Peter will eventually follow, he is not yet ready for the path of suffering.
"Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.”" — Peter, in his earnestness, misses the deeper meaning of Jesus' departure, focusing on where Jesus is going rather than the spiritual reality of it. Jesus' reply highlights that Peter cannot follow…
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Last reviewed October 2026