The New Commandment and Peter's Denial
John 13:31-38
John.13.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Οτε: CONJ
- ουν: CONJ
- εξηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- Ιησους·Νυν: NOUN,nom,sg,m+ADV
- εδοξασθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εδοξασθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- αυτω·: PRON,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- John 12:23 (verbal): Jesus declares 'the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified,' directly anticipating the same theme of the Son of Man's glorification in 13:31.
- John 17:1-5 (thematic): In the high-priestly prayer Jesus asks the Father to 'glorify' the Son so that the Son may glorify the Father, developing the mutual glorification language of 13:31.
- John 12:28 (verbal): At the voice from heaven Jesus speaks of God's glorification ('Father, glorify your name'), linking God's glory revealed in Jesus with the declaration in 13:31.
- Philippians 2:9-11 (thematic): Paul describes God exalting Christ and every tongue confessing Jesus as Lord—an early-Christian parallel to the theme of Jesus' glorification and God's glory in him.
- Isaiah 52:13 (allusion): The servant-song motif of the servant being exalted and 'highly' glorified provides an Old Testament background for New Testament claims of the Messiah's glorification.
Alternative generated candidates
- When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him."
- When he had gone out, Jesus said, 'Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him.'
John.13.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εδοξασθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δοξασει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ευθυς: ADV
- δοξασει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- John 12:23-28 (verbal): Jesus speaks of the hour for the Son of Man to be glorified and a heavenly voice saying 'I have glorified it, and will glorify it again'—same verb/theme of God glorifying the Son.
- John 17:1-5 (thematic): In the high-priestly prayer Jesus asks the Father to 'glorify your Son' and speaks of mutual glorification and the Son's pre-existent glory—directly echoes the theme of God glorifying Jesus.
- Philippians 2:9-11 (thematic): Paul describes God exalting (glorifying) the humbled Christ and giving him supreme honor—parallels the result of God's glorification of the Son.
- Romans 8:17-18 (thematic): Paul links suffering with Christ to future shared glory ('that we may also be glorified together')—echoes the NT pattern where Jesus' glorification (by God) is tied to salvation and future honor.
Alternative generated candidates
- If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and will glorify him at once.
- If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and will glorify him immediately.
John.13.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τεκνια: NOUN,voc,pl,n
- ετι: ADV
- μικρον: ADV
- μεθ᾽υμων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,2
- ειμι·ζητησετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg+VERB,fut,act,ind,2,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- καθως: CONJ
- ειπον: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- Ιουδαιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- Οπου: ADV
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- υπαγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- ου: PART,neg
- δυνασθε: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,pl
- ελθειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- αρτι: ADV
Parallels
- John 7:33-34 (quotation): Jesus previously makes the same statement to the Jews: 'You will seek me and you will not find me; where I am you cannot come'—the exact saying John 13:33 refers back to.
- John 8:21 (verbal): A parallel formulation—Jesus again warns 'I go away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin; where I go you cannot come,' repeating the theme of inability to follow him.
- John 14:2-3 (thematic): Contrasts and develops the motif of Jesus' departure: he will go to prepare a place and promises to return to bring disciples so that 'where I am, there you may be also,' offering reassurance after the earlier warning.
- Acts 1:9-11 (thematic): The Ascension narrative explains the destination 'where I go'—Jesus is taken into heaven—making concrete the statement that the disciples cannot yet accompany him and pointing to a future return.
Alternative generated candidates
- Little children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going you cannot come,' so now I say to you.
- Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come.'
John.13.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εντολην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- καινην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- διδωμι: VERB,pres,act,subj,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ινα: CONJ
- αγαπατε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- καθως: CONJ
- ηγαπησα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- ινα: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- αγαπατε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- John 15:12-17 (verbal): Closely parallel command in the same discourse: 'This is my commandment, that you love one another,' expanded by 'as I have loved you' and the sacrificial model of love (greater love has no one...).
- 1 John 3:23 (verbal): Echoes the Johannine command formula ('and this is his commandment... that we should love one another'), reflecting the same theological imperative in the Johannine epistles.
- Leviticus 19:18 (thematic): Ancient Israelite ethic 'love your neighbor as yourself' provides the Old Testament background and ethical precedent for Jesus' command to love one another.
- Matthew 22:37-39 (thematic): Jesus' summation of the law—love God and love your neighbor—parallels the centrality of love as the defining command for the community.
- Romans 13:8 (thematic): Paulic instruction to 'owe nothing except to love one another' develops the ethical priority of mutual love as formative for Christian relationships and law-fulfillment.
Alternative generated candidates
- A new commandment I give to you: that you love one another. As I have loved you, so you also are to love one another.
- A new commandment I give to you: that you love one another. As I have loved you, so you also are to love one another.
John.13.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εν: PREP
- τουτω: DEM,dat,sg,m
- γνωσονται: VERB,fut,mid/pass,ind,3,pl
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- μαθηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- εαν: CONJ
- αγαπην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εχητε: VERB,pres,act,sub,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- αλληλοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- John 13:34 (verbal): Immediate parallel command: Jesus gives a 'new commandment' to love one another—closely linked wording and purpose with 13:35's identifying mark of discipleship.
- John 15:12-13 (verbal): Reiterates the command to 'love one another' and defines the nature of that love (self-giving), reinforcing love as the distinguishing characteristic of Jesus' followers.
- John 17:21 (thematic): Jesus' prayer that believers be one so that the world may believe connects unity/love among disciples with being a visible testimony to the world, echoing 13:35's witness motif.
- 1 John 3:23 (verbal): Early Christian summary command: belief in Jesus and love for one another are presented as the essential commandment, reflecting the same criterion for authentic discipleship found in 13:35.
- Acts 4:32 (thematic): Description of the early church's communal unity and mutual care illustrates how practical love among believers functioned as a public testimony, exemplifying the witness of 13:35.
Alternative generated candidates
- By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
- By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John.13.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- Σιμων: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Πετρος·Κυριε: PROPN,nom,sg,m+NOUN,voc,sg,m
- που: ADV
- υπαγεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- Ιησους·Οπου: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- υπαγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ου: PART,neg
- δυνασαι: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,sg
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- νυν: ADV
- ακολουθησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- ακολουθησεις: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- υστερον: ADV
Parallels
- John 13:37-38 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same exchange: Peter's question and Jesus' prediction are elaborated—Jesus predicts Peter's inability now and his future following (and Peter's denial).
- John 18:15-27 (structural): Narrative fulfillment: Peter follows Jesus at a distance into the high priest's house and then denies him, showing he could not follow Jesus 'now.'
- John 21:18-19 (thematic): Jesus tells Peter that when he is old he will be led where he does not want and concludes with the command 'Follow me'—echoing the promise that Peter will follow later and Peter's ultimate restoration and vocation to follow.
- Matthew 26:33-35 (thematic): Peter's confident declaration that he will never fall and will follow Jesus even to death is juxtaposed with Jesus' prediction of Peter's failure—same tension between present inability and alleged future following.
- Mark 14:27-31 (thematic): Parallel to Peter's boast and Jesus' prediction in the Synoptics: Peter vows loyalty but is told he will deny Jesus, highlighting the contrast between Peter's present claim to follow and his actual inability, with the implication of later restoration.
Alternative generated candidates
- Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now; you will follow later."
- Simon Peter said to him, 'Lord, where are you going?' Jesus answered, 'Where I am going you cannot follow me now; you will follow afterwards.'
John.13.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Πετρος·Κυριε: PROPN,nom,sg,m+NOUN,voc,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ου: PART,neg
- δυναμαι: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- ακολουθησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αρτι: ADV
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ψυχην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- υπερ: PREP
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- θησω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 26:35 (verbal): Peter's claim to loyalty and willingness to die for Jesus ('Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you') closely parallels John 13:37's declaration to lay down his life for Jesus.
- Luke 22:33 (verbal): Peter's promise to follow Jesus to prison and to death echoes the same bold pledge of personal loyalty and readiness to suffer found in John 13:37.
- John 10:11 (thematic): Jesus' statement that he 'lays down his life for the sheep' provides a theological contrast to Peter's pledge to lay down his life for Jesus, highlighting Christ's sacrificial role versus the disciple's pledge.
- 1 John 3:16 (thematic): The Johannine ethic that true love is shown by laying down one's life for others resonates with Peter's vow in John 13:37 to give his life for Jesus.
- John 18:10-11 (thematic): Peter's violent attempt to defend Jesus (cutting off the servant's ear) and his readiness to act underscores the same impulsive, protective loyalty implied in his verbal commitment to lay down his life in 13:37.
Alternative generated candidates
- Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."
- Peter said to him, 'Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.'
John.13.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αποκρινεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- Ιησους·Την: NOUN,nom,sg,m / ART,acc,sg,f
- ψυχην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- υπερ: PREP
- εμου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- θησεις: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,sg
- αμην: PART
- αμην: PART
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- ου: PART,neg
- μη: PART
- αλεκτωρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- φωνηση: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- εως: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- αρνηση: VERB,aor,mid,subj,3,sg
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- τρις: ADV
Parallels
- John 13:37 (verbal): Peter's immediate boast 'I will lay down my life for you' directly precedes and prompts Jesus' prediction of his denial.
- John 18:27 (structural): Narrative fulfillment within John: Peter denies Jesus three times and the rooster crows, completing the prediction.
- Matthew 26:34 (verbal): Synoptic parallel: Jesus predicts that Peter will disown him three times before the rooster crows; wording and sequence closely match.
- Mark 14:30 (verbal): Synoptic parallel with minor variation (Mark mentions the rooster crowing twice); likewise predicts three denials before morning.
- Luke 22:31-34 (thematic): Luke records the same prediction (v.34) and frames it with v.31 about Satan's desire to test/sift Peter, explaining the reason for the forthcoming denial.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow until you deny me three times."
- Jesus answered, 'Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I tell you, the rooster will not crow until you have denied me three times.'
When therefore Judas had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him."
If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and will immediately glorify him.
Children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going you cannot come,' so now I tell you.
A new commandment I give to you: that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you also are to love one another.
By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "You cannot follow me now; you will follow me 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, the rooster will not crow until you deny me three times."