John 13:38
Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 23
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 23
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Τὴν
G3588
Τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχήν
life
G5590
ψυχήν
life
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
6 of 23
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
8 of 23
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
θήσεις
Wilt thou lay down
G5087
θήσεις
Wilt thou lay down
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
10 of 23
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
ἀμὴν
Verily
G281
ἀμὴν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
11 of 23
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
ἀμὴν
Verily
G281
ἀμὴν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
13 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
οὐ
G3756
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
16 of 23
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
φωνήσει
crow
G5455
φωνήσει
crow
Strong's:
G5455
Word #:
18 of 23
to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation
ἕως
till
G2193
ἕως
till
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
19 of 23
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
οὗ
G3739
οὗ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
20 of 23
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Luke 22:34And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.Matthew 26:34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.Mark 14:30And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Historical Context
This occurred in the Upper Room during the Last Supper, hours before Peter's actual denials (John 18:15-27). Peter's self-confidence was characteristic—he repeatedly spoke impulsively (Matthew 14:28; 16:22; 17:4). Yet Jesus chose him to lead the church, demonstrating God uses broken, restored sinners, not perfect saints.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Peter's overconfidence warn against trusting our own strength rather than depending on Christ's sustaining grace?
- What does Jesus's foreknowledge of Peter's failure yet continued investment in him teach about God's patient discipleship?
- How should Christians respond when we fail Christ—with despair like Judas or repentance like Peter?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? (ἀποκρίνεται Ἰησοῦς· Τὴν ψυχήν σου ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ θήσεις, apokrinetai Iēsous· Tēn psychēn sou hyper emou thēseis)—Jesus questions Peter's confident self-assessment (13:37). The verb θήσεις (thēseis, 'will you lay down') echoes Jesus's own statement about laying down His life (John 10:11, 15). Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice (ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω σοι, οὐ μὴ ἀλέκτωρ φωνήσῃ ἕως οὗ ἀρνήσῃ με τρίς, amēn amēn legō soi, ou mē alektōr phōnēsē heōs hou arnēsē me tris)—The double ἀμὴν (amēn, 'verily') emphasizes certainty. Peter will deny (ἀρνήσῃ, arnēsē, 'deny, disown') Jesus τρίς (tris, 'three times') before dawn.
This prophecy reveals Jesus's omniscience and Peter's overconfidence. Peter genuinely intended loyalty but didn't know his own weakness. Jesus's prediction isn't cruel but preparatory—knowing Peter will fail yet be restored teaches that discipleship depends on Christ's keeping power, not human strength. Peter's restoration (John 21:15-19) would prove grace triumphs over failure.