Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 13:38

ἀποκρίνεται for ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ: φωνήσῃ for φωνήσει: ἀρνήσῃ for ἀπαρνήσῃ.

We now enter upon the second main division of the Gospel. The Evangelist has given us thus far a narrative of CHRIST’S MINISTRY presented to us in a series of typical scenes (John 1:18 to John 12:50). He goes on to set forth the ISSUES OF CHRIST’S MINISTRY (13–20). The last chapter (21) forms the EPILOGUE, balancing the first eighteen verses (John 1:1-18), which form the PROLOGUE.

The second main division of the Gospel, like the first, falls into three parts: 1. THE INNER GLORIFICATION OF CHRIST IN HIS LAST DISCOURSES (13–17); 2. THE OUTER GLORIFICATION OF CHRIST IN HIS PASSION (18, 19); 3. THE VICTORY COMPLETED IN THE RESURRECTION (20). These parts will be subdivided as we reach them. John 13:1 is a prologue to the first part.

38. λέγω σοι. In the parallel passage, Luke 22:34, we have λέγω σοι, Πέτρε. For the first and last time Jesus addresses the Apostle by the name which He had given him; as if to remind him that rock-like strength was not his own to boast of, but must be found in humble reliance on the Giver.

S. Luke agrees with S. John in placing the prediction of the triple denial in the supper-room: S. Matt. (Matthew 26:30-35) and S. Mark (Mark 14:26-30) place it on the way from the room to Gethsemane. It is possible but not probable that the prediction was repeated; though some would even make three predictions recorded by (1) S. Luke, (2) S. John, (3) S. Matt. and S. Mark. See Appendix B.

τρίς. All four accounts agree in this. S. Mark adds two details: (1) that the cock should crow twice, (2) that the prediction so far from checking S. Peter made him speak only the more vehemently, a particular which S. Peter’s Gospel more naturally contains than the other three. S. Matthew and S. Mark both add that all the disciples joined in S. Peter’s protestations. In these discourses S. Peter speaks no more.

It has been objected that fowls were not allowed in the Holy City. The statement wants authority, and of course the Romans would pay no attention to any such rule, even if it existed among the Jews.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 13:38

Old Testament

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