King James Bible
"Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards."
Peter's question reveals both his devotion and confusion after Jesus announces his departure. Coming immediately after Jesus gives the new commandment to love, Peter cannot grasp why their teacher would leave them now. Jesus refers to his imminent death and glorification—a path Peter is spiritually unprepared to take. The phrase acknowledges Peter's limitations while protecting him from premature martyrdom. This promise foreshadows both Peter's eventual martyrdom and his spiritual maturation after the resurrection. Jesus transforms Peter's present inability into future discipleship, offering hope despite the immediate separation.