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John 21:18

Death and lossSuffering

16 Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

17 Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked 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.”

19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And after He had said this, He told him, “Follow Me.”

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. He was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper to ask, “Lord, who is going to betray You?”

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked 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.”
KJV
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
WEB
Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”
ASV
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
DARBY
Verily, verily, I say to thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst where thou desiredst; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and bring thee where thou dost not desire.
BLB
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you were girding yourself and were walking where you were wanting; but when you shall be old, you will stretch forth your hands, and another will gird you and will bring [you] where you do not want.”
ÅB
Sannelig, sannelig sier jeg deg: Da du var yngre, bandt du selv opp om deg og gikk dit du ville; men når du er blitt gammel, skal du rekke ut dine hender, og en annen skal binde opp om deg og føre deg dit du ikke vil.
OTB
Sannelig, sannelig sier jeg deg, da du var yngre, kledde du deg selv og gikk dit du ville; men når du blir gammel, skal du strekke ut hendene dine, og en annen skal kle deg og føre deg dit du ikke vil.»
B1930
Sannelig, sannelig sier jeg dig: Da du var yngre, bandt du selv op om dig og gikk dit du vilde; men når du er blitt gammel, skal du rekke ut dine hender, og en annen skal binde op om dig og føre dig dit du ikke vil.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • John 13:36

    “Lord, where are You going?” Simon Peter asked. Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.”

    Read in context

  • Acts 12:3–4

    And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

    Read in context

  • Acts 21:11

    Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

    Read in context