John 21:19 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹⁹ Now Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death Peter would experience in honoring God. [Note: Some see the “stretching out your hands,” verse 18, as a reference to crucifixion]. And after saying this, Jesus said to him, “Be my follower.”

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹⁹ This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹⁹ He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. And after this, He said to him, Follow Me!

American Standard Version (1901)

¹⁹ Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Common English Bible

¹⁹ He said this to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. After saying this, Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me.”

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹⁹ Now he said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."

John 21:19 Cross References

Matthew 10:38

And the person who does not accept his cross [i.e., his responsibilities with all their difficulties] and become my follower does not deserve me.

Matthew 19:28

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, [since] you have become my followers, in the time of new beginnings [i.e., the church age], when the Son of man sits on His glorious throne, you apostles will also sit on twelve thrones, judging [i.e., through their writings] the twelve tribes of Israel [i.e., God’s people].

Matthew 8:22

But Jesus answered him, “Become my follower, and let the [spiritually] dead bury them” [i.e., let a person’s relatives care for their own family members until they die].

John 12:26

If any person wants to serve me, he should become my follower; and wherever I am, my servant will be there also. If any person serves me, the Father will honor him.

John 12:33

Now He said this to indicate the kind of death He was about to experience [i.e., of being lifted up on a cross].

John 18:32

[They said this] so that the words Jesus had spoken would be fulfilled, regarding the kind of death He would die. [Note: Jesus had predicted he would be “lifted up,” indicating a Roman crucifixion. See 12:32-33].

John 21:18

Truly, truly, I tell you [Peter], when you were young you used to fasten your belt around you [i.e., to get ready] and travel wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you up and take you [away] to where you do not want to go.”

John 21:22

Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain [alive] until I return, what [business] is that of yours? You be my follower.”

Philippians 1:20

It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not have to be ashamed about anything, but that I will have the courage, [both] now and always, [to so live] that Christ will be exalted [i.e., honored] in my body, whether I live or die.

2 Peter 1:14

knowing that [I will] soon put off my “tent” [i.e., I will soon die], even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.