18 [a]Verily, verily I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou [b]girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thine hands, and another shall [c]gird thee, and lead thee without thou wouldest [d]not.

19 And this spake he signifying by what [e]death he should glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, Follow me.

20 [f]Then Peter turned about, and saw the disciple whom JESUS loved, following, which had also (A)leaned on his breast at supper, and had said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

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Footnotes

  1. John 21:18 The violent death of Peter is foretold.
  2. John 21:18 They that took far journeys, especially in the East country, and in those places [where] the people used long garments, had need to be girded and trussed up.
  3. John 21:18 He meant that kind of girding which is used toward captives, when they are bound fast with cords and chains, as who would say, Now thou girdest thyself as thou thinkest best, to go whither thou listest, but the time will be, when thou shall not gird thee with a girdle, but another shall bind thee with chains, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
  4. John 21:18 Not that Peter suffered ought for the truth of God against his will: for we read that he came with joy and gladness when he returned from the Council where he was whipped: but because this will cometh not from the flesh, but from the gift of the Spirit which is given us from above, therefore he showeth there should be a certain striving and conflict or repugnancy, which also is in us, in all our sufferances as touching the flesh.
  5. John 21:19 That is, that Peter should die by a violent death.
  6. John 21:20 We must take heed, that while we cast our eyes upon others, we neglect not that which is enjoined us.

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