John 13:36 – “Simon Peter asked him, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus replied, ‘Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.'”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Peter asks Jesus a straightforward question: “Lord, where are you going?” This comes right after Jesus has told His disciples that He will be leaving them (John 13:33), and they cannot follow Him. Peter, always bold and outspoken, wants to understand where Jesus is going and why he cannot go with Him.

Jesus answers, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” This response has two layers of meaning:

1. Immediate Meaning – Jesus is speaking of His coming death. He is about to go to the cross, and Peter cannot follow Him in this act of sacrifice. Jesus alone must bear the weight of the world’s sin.
2. Future Meaning – Jesus hints that Peter will follow Him later. This refers to Peter’s eventual martyrdom. Later in Peter’s life, he would lay down his own life for the gospel (John 21:18-19), following Jesus not just spiritually, but in suffering and death as well.

At this moment, however, Peter is not yet ready. He is still impulsive, still afraid, and will soon deny Jesus (John 13:38). But Jesus knows that Peter’s story is not over. His faith will mature, and one day he will be willing to give up his life for Christ.

Historical Context

This conversation takes place during the Last Supper, just hours before Jesus is arrested. The disciples do not fully understand what is about to happen. They still expect Jesus to establish an earthly kingdom, not to suffer and die.

Peter, being a natural leader among the disciples, likely assumes that Jesus is speaking of some physical journey or mission. He has followed Jesus everywhere for three years—so why can’t he go now? What Peter does not yet grasp is that Jesus is speaking about the cross, the resurrection, and His return to the Father.

Later, after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, Peter and the other disciples would realize that Jesus’ departure was not abandonment. Instead, it was necessary so that He could complete His mission and send the Holy Spirit to empower them (John 16:7).

Theological Implications

1. Jesus’ Death Was a Unique Mission – No one else could do what Jesus was about to do. The cross was a path that only He could walk because He alone was the sinless Son of God, the perfect sacrifice for humanity.
2. Discipleship Requires Growth – Peter was not yet ready to follow Jesus to the cross, but he would be one day. This shows that spiritual maturity is a process. God works in His followers over time, strengthening their faith and preparing them for greater challenges.
3. Suffering Is Part of Following Christ – Jesus’ words “you will follow later” foreshadow the reality that being His disciple often involves suffering. Peter, like Jesus, would eventually lay down his life for the gospel.
4. God’s Timing Is Perfect – Jesus does not say “never”, but “not now.” This is a reminder that God has a perfect plan and timing for each believer’s journey. There are things we may desire to do for God that we are not ready for yet, but He is shaping us for the right time.

Literary Analysis

This verse is structured as a question-and-answer exchange between Peter and Jesus.

• “Simon Peter asked him, ‘Lord, where are you going?'” – This reflects Peter’s personality—bold, eager, and sometimes impatient. He is not afraid to ask Jesus for clarification.
• “Jesus replied, ‘Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.'” – Jesus does not give a direct location but instead points to timing. His words indicate both restriction (“you cannot follow now”) and future promise (“but you will follow later”).

This response leaves room for both mystery and hope—Peter doesn’t fully understand yet, but Jesus is reassuring him that he will one day understand and follow.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• John 14:2-3 – “My Father’s house has many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me.” (Jesus explains that He is leaving to prepare a future home for His followers.)
• John 21:18-19 – “Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” (Jesus prophesies Peter’s future martyrdom.)
• Matthew 16:24 – “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Following Jesus requires sacrifice.)
• 2 Timothy 4:6-7 – “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (Paul, like Peter, later embraced the calling to suffer for Christ.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. Trust in God’s Timing – There are things God has planned for us that we may not be ready for yet. Instead of being frustrated, we should trust that He is preparing us.
2. Following Jesus Requires Spiritual Growth – Peter thought he was ready to follow Jesus anywhere, but he wasn’t—yet. Spiritual growth takes time, trials, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
3. Discipleship Is Costly – Following Jesus is not just about believing in Him; it is about being willing to surrender everything for Him. Peter eventually gave up his life for Christ, and while not all believers are called to literal martyrdom, we are all called to take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23).
4. Jesus’ Path Is Unique, But We Are Called to Follow – Only Jesus could go to the cross to save the world, but He calls His followers to walk in His footsteps—serving, sacrificing, and suffering for the sake of the gospel.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in Jesus’ gentle but firm response to Peter. Instead of rebuking him, Jesus reassures him. He does not say, “You will never follow me,” but “You will follow later.”

God’s love is also seen in His patience with Peter. Even though Peter would soon deny Him (John 13:38), Jesus already knew that He would restore Peter (John 21:15-17) and use him to build the church. This is a reminder that God’s love is not based on our perfection but on His grace.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus Alone Could Go to the Cross – This verse highlights Jesus’ unique mission—only He could die for the sins of the world.
2. Jesus Calls His Followers to Follow Him Eventually – While Peter could not follow at that moment, he would later walk the path of sacrifice for Jesus.
3. Jesus Prepares His Followers for Their Calling – Jesus does not just send people out unprepared—He first teaches, trains, and strengthens them for what is ahead.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think Peter wanted to follow Jesus so badly at that moment?
2. What does Jesus’ response teach us about waiting for God’s timing?
3. How have you experienced moments where you wanted to do something for God, but He said, “Not yet”?
4. What does this verse teach about spiritual growth and maturity?
5. How does Jesus’ patience with Peter encourage you in your own walk with Christ?

John 13:36 is a verse of both limitation and promise. Jesus tells Peter that he cannot follow yet, but he will follow later. This is a reminder that following Christ is a journey—one that requires trust, patience, and the willingness to surrender to God’s perfect plan.