King James Version

What Does John 21:19 Mean?

John 21:19 in the King James Version says “This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me...” — study this verse from John chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

John 21:19 · KJV

Context

17

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

18

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.

19

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

20

Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

21

Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

Read John 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. John's editorial comment explains Jesus's cryptic prophecy: This spake he, signifying by what death (τοῦτο δὲ εἶπεν σημαίνων ποίῳ θανάτῳ/touto de eipen sēmainōn poiō thanatō). The verb signifying (σημαίνων/sēmainōn) means to indicate by signs or symbols—Jesus spoke metaphorically about crucifixion.

The purpose clause is crucial: he should glorify God (δοξάσει τὸν θεόν/doxasei ton theon). Peter's martyrdom would not merely be tragic death but divine glorification. The future tense should glorify prophesies what John's readers knew as historical fact. This transforms martyrdom from defeat to victory—through faithful death, Peter would honor God, demonstrate Christ's power to sustain, and witness to resurrection hope.

Jesus earlier used identical language about His own death: 'The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified' (John 12:23), immediately explaining this meant His death (12:24). Peter's death would mirror Christ's—both glorifying the Father through obedient suffering.

After this sobering prophecy, Jesus issues the simple command: Follow me (ἀκολούθει μοι/akolouthei moi). This echoes Jesus's original call to Peter (Matthew 4:19) but now with fuller understanding. Discipleship means following Jesus not only in life and ministry but through suffering to death. The present imperative Follow (ἀκολούθει/akolouthei) demands continuous, ongoing following—even unto martyrdom.

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Historical & Cultural Context

By the time John wrote this Gospel, Peter's martyrdom was historical reality, giving this passage poignant retrospective power. Early church tradition records Peter's crucifixion in Rome, likely during Nero's persecution following the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64. Tertullian writes that Peter 'endured a passion like his Lord's' (crucifixion), while Origen adds the detail of Peter's request for inverted crucifixion.

For John's readers facing persecution under Domitian or afterward, this passage provided crucial encouragement: martyrdom glorifies God, Christ foreknows and ordains the manner of our deaths, and following Christ may indeed lead to execution. Yet this is not defeat—it's the highest honor, conformity to Christ's own suffering.

The phrase 'Follow me' in context of Peter's approaching martyrdom gave interpretive framework for all Christian suffering. Jesus doesn't promise safety or prosperity but costly discipleship. The same Lord who called Peter by Galilee's shore calls him to Rome's cross—and the same Lord strengthens for both.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding that martyrdom 'glorifies God' transform our view of suffering and persecution from tragedy to purposeful witness?
  2. What does it mean that Jesus calls us to 'follow Him' knowing this may lead to suffering and death—and what does faithful following look like?
  3. How should Christ's sovereignty over the manner and timing of our deaths affect our fear of death and our willingness to take risks for the gospel?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
τοῦτο1 of 16

“This”

G5124

that thing

δὲ2 of 16
G1161

but, and, etc

εἰπὼν3 of 16

“spake he”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

σημαίνων4 of 16

“signifying”

G4591

to indicate

ποίῳ5 of 16

“by what”

G4169

individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one

θανάτῳ6 of 16

“death”

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

δοξάσει7 of 16

“he should glorify”

G1392

to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)

τὸν8 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεόν9 of 16

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ10 of 16

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῦτο11 of 16

“This”

G5124

that thing

εἰπὼν12 of 16

“spake he”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

λέγει13 of 16

“he saith”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτῷ14 of 16

“unto him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ἀκολούθει15 of 16

“Follow”

G190

properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)

μοι16 of 16

“me”

G3427

to me

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 21:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 21:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Peter 1:14John 21:22Matthew 10:38Philippians 1:20Mark 8:33-38John 13:36-37

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