John 21:19 kjv
This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
John 21:19 nkjv
This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
John 21:19 niv
Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
John 21:19 esv
(This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me."
John 21:19 nlt
Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, "Follow me."
John 21 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 21:18 | "...when you are old, another will gird you and carry you..." | Jesus' prediction to Peter |
| Acts 12:2 | "He had James the brother of John put to death with a sword." | Peter's experience with martyrdom |
| 2 Peter 1:14 | "for I must soon put off my earthly tabernacle..." | Peter's awareness of his impending death |
| 1 Corinthians 6:20 | "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God..." | Call to glorify God with one's life |
| Philippians 1:20 | "...Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death." | Glorifying God through death |
| Romans 14:8 | "For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s." | Lordship over life and death |
| Revelation 14:13 | "Then I heard a voice from heaven say, 'Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" | Blessedness of dying in the Lord |
| Acts 7:59-60 | "And they stoned Stephen as he was calling out and saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'" | Glorifying God in death |
| Matthew 10:39 | "The one who finds his life will lose it, and the one who loses his life for my sake will find it." | Losing life for Jesus' sake |
| Matthew 16:24-25 | "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.'" | Taking up one's cross |
| John 10:11 | "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." | Laying down one's life |
| John 13:36 | "Simon Peter asked him, 'Lord, where are you going?' Jesus answered him, 'You cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.'" | Peter's future following |
| 1 Peter 5:1 | "The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am also an elder..." | Peter as an elder |
| 1 Peter 5:2-3 | "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers..." | Shepherdly duty |
| John 21:15-17 | The dialogue where Jesus asks Peter about his love for Him | The context of the statement |
| Acts 2:41 | "So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them." | Peter's powerful ministry |
| 2 Timothy 4:6-7 | "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight..." | Paul's reflection on his martyrdom |
| John 19:17 | "He went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull..." | Jesus bearing his cross |
| 1 Peter 4:12-13 | "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial which is to try you..." | Trials and suffering |
| Acts 5:41 | "Then they went out of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name." | Rejoicing in suffering for Christ |
John 21 verses
John 21 19 Meaning
Jesus' statement predicts Peter's death, specifically his crucifixion, and associates it with a particular manner of glorifying God. This foretelling serves as a confirmation of Jesus' divine knowledge and as a significant prophecy regarding the future ministry and martyrdom of Peter.
John 21 19 Context
This verse follows the resurrected Jesus' conversation with Peter, where Jesus thrice asks Peter if he loves Him, paralleling Peter's denial. After Peter affirms his love, Jesus issues a command to "Feed my sheep." This specific verse, John 21:19, then adds the prophecy about Peter's future death, a stark but purposeful declaration to Peter. It occurs in the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to his disciples in Galilee. The context emphasizes restoration and future mission. The broader Gospel of John is set against the backdrop of Jewish feasts and Jesus' interactions with various groups, establishing his divine identity and mission.
John 21 19 Word analysis
When: Denotes a temporal marker.
you are old: Refers to advanced age, signaling a completed life course.
another: Signifies a different person.
will gird you: Literal meaning is to bind around, referencing preparation for a journey or a specific task.
and carry you: Implies being led or transported, possibly against one's will.
where you do not wish: Indicates compulsion or a direction that is not personally chosen.
He said: Attributed to Jesus, emphasizing the source of the prophecy.
this: Points to the manner of death and glorification.
to show by what kind of death: Clarifies the predictive nature of the statement regarding the method of his departure.
he would glorify God: The ultimate purpose is the exaltation of God's name and nature through Peter's life and death.
this you will glorify God by: The concluding phrase reinforces that the manner of death itself will be an act of worship and testament to God.
John 21 19 Bonus section
The traditional understanding of this prophecy is that Peter was crucified upside down, a painful and undignified death, which is indeed a way to "glorify God" through extreme suffering and adherence to Christ's path. This specific detail of crucifixion is often linked to Peter's own request when facing his death, that he not be crucified in the same manner as Jesus. The prophetic word is remarkably specific in detailing not just the fact of martyrdom, but the manner in which Peter would be led to fulfill his ultimate witness for Christ.
John 21 19 Commentary
Jesus' prediction of Peter's death, a martyr's end, underscores the transformative power of his resurrected ministry and Peter's renewed commission. This wasn't a punishment, but a divine assurance of how Peter would ultimately honor God through his faithfulness unto death, mirroring Christ's own self-sacrifice. It also reassures Peter that his past failures are forgiven and that his future is secured in God's plan for evangelizing and strengthening the church. This promise would have been a significant revelation to Peter, as it was common for faithful Jewish leaders to be martyred for their beliefs.