Luke 22:33
And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 16
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
Κύριε
Lord
G2962
Κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
5 of 16
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
11 of 16
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
φυλακὴν
prison
G5438
φυλακὴν
prison
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
12 of 16
a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
14 of 16
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Mark 14:31But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.Mark 14:29But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.Matthew 20:22But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Historical Context
Roman imprisonment and crucifixion awaited those accused of sedition or blasphemy. Peter's willingness to face these horrors demonstrated real courage shaped by three years with Jesus. Yet the disciple who would later be martyred for Christ (church tradition says crucified upside down) first needed to confront his weakness. The apostle who wrote about humble dependence on grace (1 Peter 5:5-7) learned through denial's crucible.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas of your Christian life are you relying on self-confidence rather than desperate dependence on Christ's strength?
- How has God used your failures and weaknesses to teach you genuine humility and reliance on His grace?
- What is the difference between Spirit-empowered courage and fleshly self-confidence in facing spiritual opposition?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Peter's bold declaration—Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death—reveals sincere devotion mixed with catastrophic self-confidence. The emphatic I am ready (ἕτοιμός εἰμι, hetoimos eimi) contrasts sharply with Jesus's prediction of denial. Peter genuinely believed his loyalty would endure any test, yet within hours he would collapse under pressure from a servant girl.
Peter's failure illustrates the danger of presuming on our own strength. His intentions were noble, his courage real (he did draw a sword in Gethsemane), but his self-reliance was fatal. Only after Peter experienced utter failure and Christ's restoration (John 21) would he become the rock Jesus named him. The greatest saints are often those who've learned through painful failure that apart from Christ they can do nothing (John 15:5).