In my last post, Kefa Asked Yet Another Question. We continue in our chronological journey of Kefa; in this post, we learn that his inquiring mind wants to know Where Yeshua Is Going ~ Part 1. In this post, we will first look at both Yochanan’s and Luke’s reporting on this topic, while the emissaries were still in the Upper Room. In Part 2, we will look at substantially the same conversation between Kefa (and the other emissaries) while they are on the Mount of Olives later that evening, as reported by Mattityahu and Mark.

³⁶ Shim’ on Kefa said to Him, “Lord, where are you going?” Yeshua answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow later.” ~ John 13:36

In these verses, Yeshua addressed Shim’on Kefa as the leader of the emissaries and their spokesperson.

³¹ “Shim’ on, Shim’ on, listen! The Adversary demanded to have you, people, for himself, to sift you like wheat! ³² But I prayed for you, Shim’ on, that your trust might not fail. And you, once you have turned back in repentance, strengthen your brothers!” ~ Luke 22:31-32

Wheat would be sifted to separate the whole wheat from other items that had gotten mixed in with it. The background for HaSatan‘s (the Adversary) presumably refers to Job 1:6-12, where HaSatan tries to prosecute Job before the heavenly court. The plural you indicates HaSatan wanted to sift all the emissaries like wheat, a rough action that symbolizes tempting them to spiritual ruin.

Strengthen your brothers. Kefa fulfilled this commission gloriously in the early Messianic Community as we will learn when we study Kefa in Acts 1-15.

³³ Shim’ on said to him, “Lord, I am prepared to go with you both to prison and to death!” ~ Luke 22:33

Kefa protested that nothing would cause him to deny Yeshua, but Yeshua knew better.

³⁷ “Lord,” Kefa said to Him, “why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you!” ~ John 13:37

Kefa, enthusiastic as always, makes a rash promise, also reported at Matt. 26:33-34 and Mark 14:29-30.

Although Kefa is sure that he will follow Yeshua to death, he does not understand that death is precisely where Yeshua is going.

³⁸ Yeshua answered, “You will lay down your life for me? Yes, indeed! I tell you before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times. ~ John 13:36-38 (CJB)

Yeshua poured cold water on this fiery emissary. He said before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.  Yeshua wanted Kefa to put his pride to death. He was talking a good game, but he wouldn’t be able to back it up with action, as we will learn in a future post.

The first rooster to crow in Yerushalayim occurred by about 0030 [1], though only night guards were typically awake to hear it (most people went to sleep at sundown, except on special nights like Pesach). Other crowing’s also occurred during the night. That the rooster crowed to mark the advent of dawn is more widely reported in ancient sources because this was the cock crowing most people knew. In either case, the point is that Kefa’s denial will follow almost immediately after his promise not to deny Yeshua. [2]

Tony Evans has opined:

“Too often we’re exactly like Kefa. In our minds, we envision ourselves as better disciples than we actually are. Pride will cause us to think too highly of ourselves and then fall flat on our faces.”, [3]

In my next post, we conclude the topic in Kefa Asks Where Yeshua Is Going ~ Part 2.

Click here for the PDF version.

[1] Yes, I use military time. No, I didn’t serve, but my wife was a nurse and I got used to it.

[2] Bible Background Commentary – New Testament.

[3] The Tony Evans Bible Commentary: Advancing God’s Kingdom Agenda.