Jesus isn't just telling Peter he'll deny him; he's revealing that Peter's strength isn't ready yet for what's coming. The "afterward" implies a growth and transformation Peter needs to undergo before he can truly follow, a process that will involve suffering and, ultimately, a martyr's death.
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 said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just told his disciples he is leaving, and where he is going, they cannot come yet. Peter, ever the eager spokesman, presses Jesus for more information, clearly unsettled by this news of separation. Jesus gently but firmly tells him that while he can't follow now, he will later, hinting at a future hardship and eventual martyrdom that Peter isn't ready for.
Peter's impulsive question reveals a common human tendency: wanting to rush ahead without understanding God's timeline. Jesus' gentle correction points to a deeper truth.
The Present Moment vs. God's Plan
Peter, ever the eager disciple, hears Jesus say He's leaving and immediately asks, "Lord, where are you going?" It's a question born out of love and loyalty, but also out of a misunderstanding of divine timing.
Jesus' response, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward," highlights a crucial spiritual principle:
Ask a follow-up
Peter's passionate declaration, 'I will lay down my life for you!' is noble, but Jesus sees the dangerous gap between his intentions and his reality.
The Peril of Overconfidence
Peter’s immediate reaction to Jesus’ statement about not being able to follow is to assert his unwavering loyalty: "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you!" (John 13:37).
This outburst reveals:
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.
psychē · Greek Noun
The vital force of a person; one's physical existence. To "lay down" one's life denotes self-sacrifice, surrendering one's breath and being for the benefit or cause of another, ultimately pointing to Christ's redemptive work.
amēn · Greek Adverb
An emphatic introductory formula used by Jesus to signal that the following statement is absolute, divine truth. It underlines the certainty of His prophetic pronouncements.
arneomai · Greek Verb
To disown, renounce, or refuse to acknowledge one’s relationship with or belief in someone. In a spiritual sense, it is an act of unfaithfulness or failure to stand firm in one’s confession of Christ.
Peter's eager question, 'Where are you going?' arises from his deep loyalty and misunderstanding of Jesus' imminent, suffering departure. Jesus' response, 'You cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward,' highlights Peter's present weakness and his future, ultimate faithfulness through martyrdom, a journey he could not yet comprehend.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus predicts his death and departure
Jesus speaks of leaving his disciples and going to the Father, a departure Peter misunderstands.
c. AD 30
Jesus predicts Peter's denial
Jesus foretells Peter's imminent denial of him three times before the rooster crows.
c. AD 30
Jesus is arrested
Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane.
c. AD 30
Peter denies Jesus
Peter, in the courtyard of the high priest, denies knowing Jesus three times as the rooster crows.
c. AD 30
Jesus is crucified and resurrected
Jesus is crucified, dies, and is resurrected on the third day.
c. AD 30-33
Post-resurrection appearance to Peter
Jesus appears to Peter and reaffirms his call to follow him.
c. AD 64-67
Peter's martyrdom
Tradition holds that Peter was martyred in Rome, likely by crucifixion, fulfilling Jesus' prediction.
This passage directly fulfills Jesus' promise to Peter, showing him that 'afterward' he would indeed follow Jesus, even to the point of death, but in a way he couldn't understand at this moment.
Luke 22:31-34Jesus explicitly warns Peter about his impending denial, echoing the 'you cannot follow me now' sentiment and directly contrasting Peter's overconfidence with his future failure.
Matthew 16:21-23Jesus' first prediction of his suffering and death reveals Peter's immediate misunderstanding and his attempt to 'rebuke' Jesus, showing a similar tendency to not grasp Jesus' path or his own limitations.
Acts 12:1-3This passage shows Peter facing persecution and imprisonment, illustrating the kind of difficult 'following' Jesus meant that he and the other disciples would face, though not all immediately.
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…
Jesus isn't just telling Peter he'll deny him; he's revealing that Peter's strength isn't ready yet for what's coming. The "afterward" implies a growth and transformation Peter needs to undergo before he can truly follow, a process that will involve suffering and, ultimately, a martyr's death.
Jesus has just told his disciples he is leaving, and where he is going, they cannot come yet. Peter, ever the eager spokesman, presses Jesus for more information, clearly unsettled by this news of separation. Jesus gently but firmly tells him that while he can't follow now, he will later, hinting at a future hardship and eventual martyrdom that Peter isn't ready for.
Jesus has just told his disciples he is leaving, and where he is going, they cannot come yet. Peter, ever the eager spokesman, presses Jesus for more information, clearly unsettled by this news of separation. Jesus gently but firmly tells him that while he can't follow now, he will later, hinting at a future hardship and eventual martyrdom that Peter isn't ready for.
"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 said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”…" — Jesus isn't just telling Peter he'll deny him; he's revealing that Peter's strength isn't ready yet for what's coming. The "afterward" implies a growth and transformation Peter needs to undergo bef…
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Last reviewed October 2026
