John 21:19, commentary and pictures

Jesus drew Peter aside alone after restoring him and appointing him to care for the flock, and told him that when old age weakened him he would be taken where he did not wish to go and put to death by crucifixion with his hands stretched out. That death would glorify God by its very manner, and Peter received the revelation without fear or discouragement, understanding he must give his life for Christ and later knowing his martyrdom was near. He lived on in repentance and humility, loving Christ no longer merely as teacher but as God who was all in all to him, and at last was crucified with his head downward at his own request, feeling unworthy to die as his Master died, yet even then still dependent on grace and not beyond failure. The command to follow covered not only his death but every step of his life, calling him to wait on God's plan rather than run ahead, to do his own appointed work without curious concern over another's future, and to keep his eye single to the glory of God.

Death That Glorifies God

The saying belongs to a gathering near the Sea of Galilee in a place not likely to be disturbed, surrounded by reminders of Jesus and His mighty works, with minds full of His words and deeds. Jesus took Peter aside alone to speak privately with him in sympathy to strengthen him for the final test of his faith, after restoring him to his place and appointing him to care for the flock. That private word gave him after his failure another opportunity to prove his love.

After a life of usefulness, when old age weakened his strength, Peter would be taken where he did not wish to go. The stretching out of his hands explicitly stated both the fact and the manner of his death by crucifixion. By that death Peter would glorify God by the very manner of his death. This was also shown as the meaning that Peter would truly follow his Lord in death after long and useful service.

Peter received the revelation without fear, discouragement, or being disconcerted, willing to suffer any death for his Lord. He understood that the time had come to give up his life for Christ, and he later knew he would soon suffer martyrdom as the Lord had shown him. His later willingness to give his life for the gospel fulfilled the prophecy.

He lived in repentance and humility in contrast to his denial, made ready to share in his Lord's mission of sacrifice. He no longer knew Christ merely as man and heaven-sent teacher but loved Him as God who was all in all to him, and his willingness to give his life fulfilled the prophecy by bearing suffering willingly and gladly. At last he fell at his work at the hands of the enemy, crucified with his head downward at his own request, counting it too great an honor and feeling unworthy to die in the same manner as his Master. Even restoration and long service did not make him safe from failure, and the call toward that death did not remove his personal helplessness and need to depend on grace and remain close to principle.

Call to Follow Jesus

The command to follow was instruction for Peter not only for his death but for every step of his life. It met his habit of acting on his own and trying to plan the work instead of waiting to carry out the appointed plan. It means not to run ahead of Christ, for rushing on before the Lord gains nothing. Letting Christ go before keeps the follower from meeting the hosts of Satan alone and from being overcome by the enemy.

Following Christ is each person's individual work and duty, regardless of different futures or assignments given to others, for Christ's will governs each person's future. It forbids looking at another to point out defects of character and to ask about their future, and forbids undue concern and curiosity about what another person will do. To follow means to keep the eye single to the glory of God, letting the world go out of the reckoning and letting eternal realities come in. It means to be a Christian at home as in church and in heaven. Trusting His guidance is the only safe course when even the wisest may err and the strongest may stumble.