John 13:36
New International Version
Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”

New Living Translation
Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?” And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Lord, where are You going?” Simon Peter asked. Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.”

Berean Literal Bible
Simon Peter says to Him, "Lord, where are You going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I go, you are not able to follow Me now, but you will follow afterward."

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.”

New American Standard Bible
Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.”

NASB 1995
Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.”

NASB 1977
Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you shall follow later.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.”

Amplified Bible
Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now; but you will be able to follow later.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Lord,” Simon Peter said to him, “where are you going? ” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Lord,” Simon Peter said to Him, “where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later."”

American Standard Version
Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow afterwards.

Contemporary English Version
Simon Peter asked, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "You can't go with me now, but later on you will."

English Revised Version
Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow afterwards.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered him, "You can't follow me now to the place where I'm going. However, you will follow me later."

Good News Translation
"Where are you going, Lord?" Simon Peter asked him. "You cannot follow me now where I am going," answered Jesus; "but later you will follow me."

International Standard Version
Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered him, "I'm going where you cannot follow me now, though you will follow me later on."

Majority Standard Bible
“Lord, where are You going?” Simon Peter asked. Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.”

NET Bible
Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later."

New Heart English Bible
Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow afterwards."

Webster's Bible Translation
Simon Peter said to him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterward.

Weymouth New Testament
"Master," inquired Simon Peter, "where are you going?" "Where I am going," replied Jesus, "you cannot be my follower now, but you shall be later."

World English Bible
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Simon Peter says to Him, “Lord, to where do You go away?” Jesus answered him, “To where I go away, you are not able now to follow Me, but afterward you will follow Me.”

Berean Literal Bible
Simon Peter says to Him, "Lord, where are You going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I go, you are not able to follow Me now, but you will follow afterward."

Young's Literal Translation
Simon Peter saith to him, 'Sir, whither dost thou go away?' Jesus answered him, 'Whither I go away, thou art not able now to follow me, but afterward thou shalt follow me.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Simon Peter says to him, Lord, where retirest thou? Jesus answered him, Where I retire, thou shalt not be able to follow me now; and afterwards thou shalt follow me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Simon Peter saith to him: Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered: Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow hereafter.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus responded: “Where I am going, you are not able to follow me now. But you shall follow afterward.”

New American Bible
Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered [him], “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.”

New Revised Standard Version
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Simon Peter said to him, Our Lord, where are you going? Jesus answered and said to him, Where I go, you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Shimeon Kaypha said to him, “Our Lord, where are you going?” Yeshua answered and said to him, “Where I go, you cannot now come after me, but at the end you shall come.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Simon Peter said to him: Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him: Whither I go, you can not follow me now; but you shall follow me hereafter.

Godbey New Testament
Simon Peter says to Him; Lord, whither do you go? Jesus responded, Whither I go you are not able to follow me now; but shall follow me hereafter.

Haweis New Testament
Simon Peter saith to him, Lord, Whither art thou going? Jesus answered him, Whither I am going, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me hereafter.

Mace New Testament
Simon Peter said to him, Lord, where are you going? Jesus answered him, you cannot at present follow me, where I am going; but hereafter you shall.

Weymouth New Testament
"Master," inquired Simon Peter, "where are you going?" "Where I am going," replied Jesus, "you cannot be my follower now, but you shall be later."

Worrell New Testament
Simon Peter says to Him, "Lord, where art Thou going?" Jesus answered, "Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow Me later."

Worsley New Testament
Simon Peter saith unto Him, Lord, whither art thou going? Jesus answered him, Whither I am going thou canst not follow me now, but thou shalt follow me hereafter.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
35By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” 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.” 37“Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”…

Cross References
John 21:18-19
Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” / 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.”

John 14:2-4
In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? / And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am. / You know the way to the place where I am going.”

John 12:26
If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

Matthew 16:24-25
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. / For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Luke 22:31-34
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat. / But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” / “Lord,” said Peter, “I am ready to go with You even to prison and to death.” ...

Mark 8:34-35
Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. / For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.

Matthew 26:33-35
Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.” / “Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” / Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.

Luke 9:23-24
Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. / For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

1 Peter 2:21
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:

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.

Acts 12:1-3
About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. / He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. / And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Matthew 10:38-39
and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. / Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Mark 10:38-39
“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I will drink, or be baptized with the baptism I will undergo?” / “We can,” the brothers answered. “You will drink the cup that I drink,” Jesus said, “and you will be baptized with the baptism that I undergo.

John 7:33-34
So Jesus said, “I am with you only a little while longer, and then I am going to the One who sent Me. / You will look for Me, but you will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.”

John 8:21
Again He said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for Me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.”


Treasury of Scripture

Simon Peter said to him, Lord, where go you? Jesus answered him, Where I go, you can not follow me now; but you shall follow me afterwards.

whither.

John 13:33
Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

John 14:4,5
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know…

John 16:17
Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?

thou.

John 21:18,19,22
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not…

2 Peter 1:14
Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

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Able Afterward Afterwards Follow Follower Goest Inquired Jesus Later Master Peter Simon Sir Whither
John 13
1. Jesus washes the disciples' feet, and exhorts them to humility and charity.
18. He foretells and discovers to John by a token, that Judas should betray him;
31. commands them to love one another;
36. and forewarns Peter of his denials.














Simon Peter asked Him
Simon Peter, often seen as the spokesperson for the disciples, demonstrates his characteristic boldness and curiosity. The Greek name "Simon" (Σίμων) is derived from the Hebrew "Shim'on," meaning "he has heard." This reflects Peter's role as one who listens and responds to Jesus' teachings. His inquiry shows a deep personal concern and a desire to remain close to Jesus, highlighting the intimate relationship between the disciple and the Master.

Lord, where are You going?
The term "Lord" (Κύριε) signifies Peter's recognition of Jesus' authority and divinity. This question arises from a place of confusion and concern, as Jesus had just spoken of His impending departure. The disciples, including Peter, struggle to comprehend the necessity of Jesus' path to the cross. Historically, this reflects the Jewish expectation of a Messiah who would establish an earthly kingdom, contrasting with Jesus' mission of spiritual salvation.

Jesus answered
Jesus' response is both direct and enigmatic, a common teaching method He employs to provoke deeper reflection and understanding. The Greek verb "answered" (ἀπεκρίθη) indicates a response that is meant to reveal truth, even if it is not immediately understood. This moment is pivotal, as Jesus begins to prepare His disciples for the reality of His crucifixion and resurrection.

Where I am going, you cannot follow now
The phrase "Where I am going" refers to Jesus' impending death, resurrection, and ascension. The Greek word for "going" (ὑπάγω) implies a purposeful departure. The disciples' inability to follow "now" underscores the unique and solitary nature of Jesus' redemptive work on the cross. It also reflects the spiritual maturity and transformation that the disciples must undergo before they can fully participate in Jesus' mission.

but you will follow later
This promise offers hope and assurance. The future tense "will follow" (ἀκολουθήσεις) suggests a time when Peter and the other disciples will join Jesus in His mission, both in their earthly ministries and ultimately in eternal life. Historically, this foreshadows Peter's own martyrdom and the spread of the Gospel through the apostles. It emphasizes the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who will enable the disciples to carry on Jesus' work after His ascension.

(36) Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou?--Comp. John 13:33. The earnest, loving nature of the Apostle dwells upon the words which tell of the Master's departure. He is prepared to follow Him to danger, or even to death, and, that he may do so, asks whither it is that He is going.

Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now.--Our Lord does not give the answer which St. Peter had sought, but repeats the statement of John 13:33. For St. Peter, as for the others, the place must be prepared and the way opened before they could follow (John 14:2). For him, as for his Master, the day's work was to be done before the night would come, and it was not done yet. But that night would come, and he would hereafter follow his Master in a more literal sense than any of which he thought. (See Notes on John 21:18-19.)

Verse 36-John 14:4. -

(3) The question of Simon Peter, with the terrible response and bitter grief of the entire group, followed by the consoling promise.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Lord,
Κύριε (Kyrie)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

where
ποῦ (pou)
Adverb
Strong's 4226: Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality.

are You going?”
ὑπάγεις (hypageis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 5217: To go away, depart, begone, die. From hupo and ago; to lead under, i.e. Withdraw or retire, literally or figuratively.

Simon
Σίμων (Simōn)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4613: Simon. Of Hebrew origin; Simon, the name of nine Israelites.

Peter
Πέτρος (Petros)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4074: Peter, a Greek name meaning rock. Apparently a primary word; a rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle.

asked.
Λέγει (Legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

answered,
Ἀπεκρίθη (Apekrithē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.

“Where
Ὅπου (Hopou)
Adverb
Strong's 3699: Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot.

I am going,
ὑπάγω (hypagō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5217: To go away, depart, begone, die. From hupo and ago; to lead under, i.e. Withdraw or retire, literally or figuratively.

you cannot
δύνασαί (dynasai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

follow
ἀκολουθῆσαι (akolouthēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 190: To accompany, attend, follow. Properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany.

Me
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

now,
νῦν (nyn)
Adverb
Strong's 3568: A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

you will follow
ἀκολουθήσεις (akolouthēseis)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 190: To accompany, attend, follow. Properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany.

later.”
ὕστερον (hysteron)
Adverb
Strong's 5305: Lastly, afterward, later. Neuter of husteros as adverb; more lately, i.e. Eventually.


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