Charles Ellicott Commentary John 13:38

"Jesus answereth, Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice." — John 13:38 (ASV)

Will you lay down your life for my sake?—Compare for this phrase the note on John 10:11. The pronouns are emphatic, and there is a solemn emphasis in the repetition of what St. Peter had said.

He was using words of which he did not know the full meaning. He spoke of laying down his life for his Lord. He would afterward be able to follow, because his Lord would lay down His own life for him.

For the remainder of the verse, compare the notes on Matthew 26:34; Mark 14:30; and Luke 22:34.