King James Version

What Does Luke 22:33 Mean?

Luke 22:33 in the King James Version says “And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. — study this verse from Luke chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

Luke 22:33 · KJV


Context

31

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

33

And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

34

And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

35

And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Peter's bold declaration—Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death—reveals sincere devotion mixed with catastrophic self-confidence. The emphatic I am ready (ἕτοιμός εἰμι, hetoimos eimi) contrasts sharply with Jesus's prediction of denial. Peter genuinely believed his loyalty would endure any test, yet within hours he would collapse under pressure from a servant girl.

Peter's failure illustrates the danger of presuming on our own strength. His intentions were noble, his courage real (he did draw a sword in Gethsemane), but his self-reliance was fatal. Only after Peter experienced utter failure and Christ's restoration (John 21) would he become the rock Jesus named him. The greatest saints are often those who've learned through painful failure that apart from Christ they can do nothing (John 15:5).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Roman imprisonment and crucifixion awaited those accused of sedition or blasphemy. Peter's willingness to face these horrors demonstrated real courage shaped by three years with Jesus. Yet the disciple who would later be martyred for Christ (church tradition says crucified upside down) first needed to confront his weakness. The apostle who wrote about humble dependence on grace (1 Peter 5:5-7) learned through denial's crucible.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas of your Christian life are you relying on self-confidence rather than desperate dependence on Christ's strength?
  2. How has God used your failures and weaknesses to teach you genuine humility and reliance on His grace?
  3. What is the difference between Spirit-empowered courage and fleshly self-confidence in facing spiritual opposition?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
1 of 16
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 16

And

G1161

but, and, etc

εἶπεν3 of 16

he said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῷ4 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

Κύριε5 of 16

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

μετὰ6 of 16

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

σοῦ7 of 16

thee

G4675

of thee, thy

ἕτοιμός8 of 16

ready

G2092

adjusted, i.e., ready

εἰμι9 of 16

I am

G1510

i exist (used only when emphatic)

καὶ10 of 16

and

G2532

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

εἰς11 of 16

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

φυλακὴν12 of 16

prison

G5438

a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh

καὶ13 of 16

and

G2532

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

εἰς14 of 16

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

θάνατον15 of 16

death

G2288

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

πορεύεσθαι16 of 16

to go

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Luke 22:33 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 Luke 22:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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