Luke 22:32 kjv
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Luke 22:32 nkjv
But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
Luke 22:32 niv
But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Luke 22:32 esv
but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."
Luke 22:32 nlt
But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers."
Luke 22 32 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 22:31 | Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat. | Immediate context; Satan's desire to test all disciples, particularly Peter. |
| Mt 26:33-35 | Peter answered him, “Though all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” | Peter's confident self-assurance contradicted by Jesus' prophecy of denial. |
| Mk 14:29-31 | Peter said to him, “Even if all desert you, I will not.” ...“Truly, I tell you, this very night... you will deny me three times.” | Parallel account highlighting Peter's strong but misplaced confidence. |
| Jn 13:36-38 | 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, an astounding revelation from him—before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." | Another parallel account, linking following Jesus with future sacrifice. |
| Heb 7:25 | Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. | Jesus' continuous, eternal intercession for believers. |
| Rom 8:34 | Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. | Christ's ongoing intercession for His people after resurrection. |
| Jn 17:9 | I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. | Jesus' specific intercessory prayer for His disciples. |
| Jn 17:15 | I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. | Jesus' prayer for the preservation and protection of His disciples amidst trial. |
| Rom 8:28-30 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good... For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son... | Divine foreknowledge and ultimate preservation of those called by God. |
| 1 Pet 1:5-9 | ...who are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed... though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. | Peter's own later understanding of faith being guarded and refined through trials. |
| Prov 24:16 | For a righteous person falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. | Biblical principle of resilience and restoration for the righteous. |
| Ps 37:24 | though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with his hand. | Assurance that the Lord sustains the righteous, preventing utter ruin. |
| Acts 3:19 | Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. | Peter's later teaching on repentance and turning back to God. |
| Acts 26:18 | to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ | Description of turning from error to God; includes spiritual repentance. |
| Jam 5:19-20 | My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. | The importance of restoring a brother who has strayed. |
| Jn 21:15-17 | When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” | Peter's post-resurrection restoration and commissioning to shepherd God's people. |
| 1 Cor 15:58 | Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. | Exhortation to believers to be firm and active in service. |
| Heb 12:12 | Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees. | Call to personal and mutual encouragement, particularly during difficulties. |
| Rom 15:1-2 | We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. | Believers are called to support and edify those weaker in faith. |
| 1 Thes 5:11 | Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. | General call to mutual encouragement and strengthening within the community. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. | The equipping of leaders (like Peter) for building up the church. |
Luke 22 verses
Luke 22 32 Meaning
Jesus delivers a profound statement to Peter, affirming His direct intercession for Peter specifically, praying that Peter's faith would not completely give out, even as Peter faces intense spiritual sifting. Following this guaranteed preservation, Jesus commissions Peter, anticipating his momentary fall and subsequent restoration, to strengthen and encourage his fellow disciples. This verse encapsulates Jesus' foreknowledge, His intercessory grace, Peter's anticipated failure, and his crucial post-restoration mission.
Luke 22 32 Context
Luke 22:32 is part of Jesus' discourse with His disciples during the Last Supper, immediately after foretelling His betrayal and Peter's denial (Lk 22:21-23, 33-34). The conversation begins with a warning from Jesus that Satan desires to "sift" all of them (v. 31), highlighting the intense spiritual warfare occurring. Yet, amidst this solemn warning, Jesus provides a specific assurance to Peter concerning His intercessory prayer. This unique address to Peter occurs right before his passionate declaration of loyalty, which Jesus instantly counters with the prediction of his triple denial. The verse functions as a pre-restoration commission, indicating Peter's future fall is anticipated but his faith will be preserved, preparing him for a pivotal role in strengthening the nascent community of believers. Historically and culturally, this passage demonstrates the profound divine foreknowledge and sovereign care, contrasting sharply with Peter's immediate overconfidence and human frailty.
Luke 22 32 Word analysis
But I: This phrase initiates a crucial contrast (ἀποδίδωμι - apodidōmi), highlighting Jesus' sovereign action against Satan's hostile intent (Lk 22:31). While Satan desired to sift all of them (plural 'you' in v. 31), Jesus specifically addresses Peter, emphasizing a personal divine counter-measure.
have prayed: (ἐδεήθην - edēithēn). This is an aorist middle verb, indicating a definitive act, already completed or with a certain outcome. It conveys a specific, powerful, and effective prayer made by Jesus Himself. It is a divine, personal intervention.
for you, Simon: Addressed to Peter by his given name, "Simon" (Σίμων - Simōn), rather than his apostolic name, "Peter" (Πέτρος - Petros), the "Rock." This may subtly highlight his human frailty, the very humanity that would stumble, yet for whom Jesus prayed. It underscores the personal and individual nature of Jesus' intercession.
that your faith: (πίστις - pistis). Refers to Peter's trust, confidence, or allegiance to Christ. The prayer isn't that Peter won't fall or deny, but that his foundational faith, his inner core belief in Jesus as Messiah and Lord, would not be extinguished or completely lost, despite external failures.
may not fail: (ἐκλείπω - eklipē). Meaning to "give out," "run out," "cease," "vanish," or "be found wanting." It suggests a cessation or utter collapse. The prayer ensures that Peter's faith, though severely tested and temporarily manifested poorly, would not be completely depleted or extinguished, leading to apostasy. This distinguishes between a temporary lapse in action and a complete abandonment of core belief.
And when you have turned back: (ἐπιστρέψαντος - epistrepsantos). An aorist participle, indicating an action that will happen after a prior event (his denial). This signifies Peter's future restoration, repentance, and return to his foundational commitment to Christ. It implies a departure from a straight path, followed by a purposeful return. It is "when," not "if," revealing Jesus' certainty of Peter's restoration through grace.
strengthen: (στήριξον - stērixon). A strong imperative, meaning "make firm," "establish," "confirm," "support," or "prop up." This is Peter's post-restoration commission: to reinforce the wavering, establish the unsteady, and confirm the weak among his fellow believers. His own experience of falling and being restored would equip him uniquely for this task.
your brothers: (τοὺς ἀδελφούς σου - tous adelphous sou). Refers to the other disciples, and by extension, the wider community of believers. This highlights the communal responsibility of restored leaders and the chain of pastoral care.
Words-group Analysis
- "But I have prayed for you, Simon": This phrase contrasts Jesus' divine care with Satan's malicious intent, showing that while Satan seeks to destroy, Jesus proactively preserves. It emphasizes the personal, intentional, and effective nature of Jesus' intercession for a specific individual.
- "that your faith may not fail": The core purpose of Jesus' prayer, focusing on the endurance of Peter's internal faith rather than external performance. It implies that true faith, though it may waver and stumble, will not utterly collapse or be extinguished when preserved by Christ's intercession.
- "And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers": This group reveals Jesus' foreknowledge of Peter's denial and subsequent restoration, and then immediately commissions him with a leadership role rooted in that experience. His failure is not the end but a profound teaching ground for his future ministry, highlighting the redemptive power of God's grace and purpose for suffering.
Luke 22 32 Bonus section
This verse underpins the biblical doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, demonstrating that it is ultimately God's work, specifically Christ's intercession, that ensures a believer's faith does not utterly fail. Peter, as the recipient of this specific prayer and commission, is set apart as a pivotal figure for the early Church's leadership. The specificity of Jesus' prayer "for you, Simon" suggests the immense personal care of Christ for each of His disciples, individually facing their own unique trials and weaknesses. It highlights that God does not abandon those He calls, even when they falter, but uses their journey of failure and restoration to equip them for His greater purposes. This instance also distinguishes Jesus as a true intercessor, not merely sympathetic, but one whose prayers actively secure the believer's spiritual endurance against potent spiritual adversaries. The event transformed Peter's self-reliance into a reliance on Christ and prepared him to later write extensively about endurance and the living hope (1 Peter).
Luke 22 32 Commentary
Luke 22:32 reveals profound truths about divine sovereignty, intercessory prayer, human frailty, and God's redemptive purpose in weakness. Jesus, with foreknowledge, anticipates Satan's sifting and Peter's denial, yet intervenes supernaturally to ensure Peter's faith itself will not be annihilated. The distinction between a temporary "failing" of faith's manifestation (seen in Peter's denial) and the failure or extinction of saving faith (prevented by Christ's prayer) is critical. Peter's denial was a profound human failure, not an ultimate apostasy, sustained by the High Priest's prayer. This pivotal verse transitions from warning to commission: Peter's experience of weakness and restoration would become his unique qualification. He would strengthen others not from a place of unblemished strength but from profound personal encounter with failure and God's boundless grace. His subsequent ministry, from Pentecost onwards, exemplifies this command. The verse serves as a powerful reminder that true spiritual leadership is often forged through humbling experiences, purified by grace, and purposed for the edification of the community.
- Example: A Christian leader who, after experiencing a significant moral lapse and repentance, is able to minister with greater empathy and wisdom to others struggling with sin, fulfilling the command to "strengthen your brothers" from their own restored experience.
- Example: A believer who doubts their faith during intense suffering or trials, but through the consistent intercession of Christ and His body, finds their trust in God renewed and emerges with a deeper, more resilient faith, becoming a beacon of hope for others.