Did any of the apostles ask Jesus where he was going?

Peter's explicit question closely matches the question Jesus later says nobody is asking.

Textual conflict: Weak tension; The alleged conflict needs substantial assumptions, such as treating an omission as a denial or figurative language as literal.
Importance: Supporting; A supporting event, teaching, or biographical claim.

Peter previously asks Jesus' destination, but the later present-tense reproach says nobody asks now rather than denying any earlier question.

An editorial assessment of the quoted passages. Importance describes the stakes; it does not increase certainty. Reading order weighs both.

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Peter asks Jesus where he is going

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.

John 13:36

Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)

Read the full chapter:John 13

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

John 14:5

Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)

Read the full chapter:John 14

Jesus says none of the disciples asks where he goes

PreviousWhen did the Temple curtain tear? NextDid Enoch die?

But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

John 16:5

Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)

Read the full chapter:John 16

Understanding the contradiction

John 13:36 gives Peter the direct question 'Lord, whither goest thou?' The old word 'whither' means where to. John 14:5 also has Thomas admit not knowing Jesus' destination and ask how the disciples can know the way.

John 16:5 says none of them asks where he is going, using essentially Peter's earlier wording. That creates a conspicuous tension within the same Gospel's farewell material. The verb is present tense and the sentence begins 'now,' so it need not deny that anyone asked earlier. The precise criticism is that the later reproach overlooks a question already voiced in the discourse, rather than explicitly asserting that the question has never been asked at any time.

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Peter asks Jesus where he is going

Jesus says none of the disciples asks where he goes

Understanding the contradiction

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