But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

LUKE 22:32KJV
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Luke 22:32 (KJV)

What does Luke 22:32 mean?

Luke 22:32 records Jesus telling Peter that He has prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail, and that after Peter turns back, he should strengthen his fellow disciples. Jesus is reassuring Peter that, despite coming failure, restoration and a new responsibility will follow.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to Peter during the Last Supper, just before Peter’s denial is predicted. Jesus acknowledges that Peter’s faith will be tested, but He expresses confidence in Peter’s eventual return. The verse highlights Jesus’s care for Peter and the important role Peter will play in supporting the other disciples after his own recovery.

The Greek behind Luke 22:32

  • The word for "fail" is ἐκλείπῃ (ekleipē), which often means "to cease" or "to give out completely." This word suggests not just a momentary lapse, but a total collapse of faith, which Jesus prays will not happen to Peter.
  • The word for "converted" is ἐπιστρέψας (epistrepsas), meaning "to turn back" or "to return." This points to Peter’s restoration after his denial, not just a one-time repentance but a full turning back to his calling.
  • The word for "strengthen" is στήρισον (stērison), which means "to make firm" or "to support." Jesus is giving Peter a future task: to encourage and support the other disciples after his own experience of failure and restoration.

Why Luke 22:32 matters

  • Luke 22:32 clarifies that Jesus expects Peter’s failure but also his restoration, showing that failure is not the end of Peter’s usefulness.
  • The verse emphasizes Jesus’s personal care and intercession for Peter, highlighting the importance of prayer and support in times of testing.
  • This verse sets up Peter’s later leadership among the disciples, connecting his personal experience of weakness and forgiveness to his role in strengthening others.

Where else these words appear

“fail” Greek G1587 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
  • Hebrews 1:12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

“strengthen” Greek G4741 · used in 13 verses

  • Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
  • 1 Thessalonians 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
  • James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

“prayed” Greek G1189 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
  • Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
  • Acts 26:3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

“when” Greek G4218 · used in 28 verses

  • John 9:13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
  • Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
  • Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.