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the Week of Proper 24 / Ordinary 29
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Contemporary English Version

John 13:16

I tell you for certain that servants are not greater than their master, and messengers are not greater than the one who sent them.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Example;   Humility;   Jesus, the Christ;   Minister, Christian;   Servant;   Thompson Chain Reference - Verily, Verily;   The Topic Concordance - Choosing/chosen;   Happiness/joy;   Jesus Christ;   Judas Iscariot;   Receiving;   Resurrection;   Servants;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Humility;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Minister;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Faith;   Follow, Follower;   Humility;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Apostles;   John, the Gospel of;   Servant of the Lord, the;   Slave/servant;   The Last Supper;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Foot;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Apostles;   Bason;   Brotherhood (2);   Death of Christ;   Discourse;   Example;   Force;   Greatness;   Humility;   Ideas (Leading);   John, Gospel of (Critical);   Lord's Supper. (I.);   Love (2);   Messiah;   Missions;   Paradox;   Personality;   Redemption (2);   Sacrifice (2);   Self-Denial;   Service;   Upper Room (2);   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Apostle;   Shoes;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Judas;   Passover;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Christ, Offices of;   Sent;   Washing of Feet;  

Devotionals:

- Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life - Devotion for August 14;   Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for October 21;   Every Day Light - Devotion for November 17;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Believe me, servants are not greater than their master. Those who are sent to do something are not greater than the one who sent them.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Verely verely I saye vnto you the servaunt is not greater then his master nether the messenger greater then he that sent him.
Hebrew Names Version
Most assuredly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him.
International Standard Version
Truly, truly I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him.Matthew 10:24; Luke 6:40; John 15:20;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
"Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.
New Century Version
I tell you the truth, a servant is not greater than his master. A messenger is not greater than the one who sent him.
Update Bible Version
Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Webster's Bible Translation
Verily, verily, I say to you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
English Standard Version
Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
World English Bible
Most assuredly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Verily, verily I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord, neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Weymouth's New Testament
In most solemn truth I tell you that a servant is not superior to his master, nor is a messenger superior to him who sent him.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Treuli, treuli, Y seie to you, the seruaunt is not grettere than his lord, nether an apostle is grettere than he that sente hym.
English Revised Version
Verily, verily, I say unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Berean Standard Bible
Truly, truly, I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Amplified Bible
"I assure you and most solemnly say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.
American Standard Version
Verily, verily, I say unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Bible in Basic English
Truly I say to you, A servant is not greater than his lord; and he who is sent is not greater than the one who sent him.
Complete Jewish Bible
Yes, indeed! I tell you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is an emissary greater than the one who sent him.
Darby Translation
Verily, verily, I say to you, The bondman is not greater than his lord, nor the sent greater than he who has sent him.
Etheridge Translation
Amen, amen, I say to you, The servant is not greater than his lord; nor (is) the apostle greater than he who sent him.
Murdock Translation
Verily, verily, I say to you, That no servant is greater than his lord; and no legate is greater than he who sent him.
King James Version (1611)
Uerily, verily I say vnto you, the seruant is not greater then his lord, neither he that is sent, greater then hee that sent him.
New Living Translation
I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message.
New Life Bible
For sure, I tell you, a workman who is owned by someone is not greater than his owner. One who is sent is not greater than the one who sent him.
New Revised Standard
Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Verely, verely I say vnto you, The seruant is not greater then his master, neither the ambassadour greater then he that sent him.
George Lamsa Translation
Truly, truly, I say to you, There is no servant who is greater than his master; and no apostle who is greater than he who sent him.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Verily, verily, I say unto you - A servant is not greater than his lord, neither one sent forth greater than he that sent him.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Amen, amen, I say to you: The servant is not greater than his lord: neither is the apostle greater than he that sent him.
Revised Standard Version
Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Ueryly, veryly, I say vnto you: The seruaunt is not greater the his maister, neither the messenger greater then he that sent hym.
Good News Translation
I am telling you the truth: no slaves are greater than their master, and no messengers are greater than the one who sent them.
Christian Standard Bible®
“Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master,
King James Version
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Lexham English Bible
Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Literal Translation
Truly, truly, I say to you, A slave is not greater than his lord, nor a messenger greater than the one sending him.
Young's Literal Translation
verily, verily, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his lord, nor an apostle greater than he who sent him;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Verely verely I saye vnto you: the seruaunt is not greater then his lorde, nether is the Apostell greater then he that sent him.
Mace New Testament (1729)
I declare unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord, neither he that is sent, greater than he that sent him.
THE MESSAGE
Washing His Disciples' Feet Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. Having loved his dear companions, he continued to love them right to the end. It was suppertime. The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal. Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, "Master, you wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later." Peter persisted, "You're not going to wash my feet—ever!" Jesus said, "If I don't wash you, you can't be part of what I'm doing." "Master!" said Peter. "Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!" Jesus said, "If you've had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you're clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you're clean. But not every one of you." (He knew who was betraying him. That's why he said, "Not every one of you.") After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table. Then he said, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher' and ‘Master,' and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do. I'm only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn't give orders to the employer. If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life. "I'm not including all of you in this. I know precisely whom I've selected, so as not to interfere with the fulfillment of this Scripture: The one who ate bread at my table Turned on his heel against me. "I'm telling you all this ahead of time so that when it happens you will believe that I am who I say I am. Make sure you get this right: Receiving someone I send is the same as receiving me, just as receiving me is the same as receiving the One who sent me." After he said these things, Jesus became visibly upset, and then he told them why. "One of you is going to betray me." The disciples looked around at one another, wondering who on earth he was talking about. One of the disciples, the one Jesus loved dearly, was reclining against him, his head on his shoulder. Peter motioned to him to ask who Jesus might be talking about. So, being the closest, he said, "Master, who?" Jesus said, "The one to whom I give this crust of bread after I've dipped it." Then he dipped the crust and gave it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. As soon as the bread was in his hand, Satan entered him. "What you must do," said Jesus, "do. Do it and get it over with." No one around the supper table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas was their treasurer, Jesus was telling him to buy what they needed for the Feast, or that he should give something to the poor. Judas, with the piece of bread, left. It was night. When he had left, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who he is in him. The moment God is seen in him, God's glory will be on display. In glorifying him, he himself is glorified—glory all around! "Children, I am with you for only a short time longer. You are going to look high and low for me. But just as I told the Jews, I'm telling you: ‘Where I go, you are not able to come.' "Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other." Simon Peter asked, "Master, just where are you going?" Jesus answered, "You can't now follow me where I'm going. You will follow later." "Master," said Peter, "why can't I follow now? I'll lay down my life for you!" "Really? You'll lay down your life for me? The truth is that before the rooster crows, you'll deny me three times."
New English Translation
I tell you the solemn truth, the slave is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent as a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
New King James Version
Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
Simplified Cowboy Version
I'm telling you that the cows ain't better than the cowboys, and cowboys ain't better than the jigger boss.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.
Legacy Standard Bible
Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.

Contextual Overview

1 It was before Passover, and Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and to return to the Father. He had always loved his followers in this world, and he loved them to the very end. 2 Even before the evening meal started, the devil had made Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, decide to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that he had come from God and would go back to God. He also knew that the Father had given him complete power. 4 So during the meal Jesus got up, removed his outer garment, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 He put some water into a large bowl. Then he began washing his disciples' feet and drying them with the towel he was wearing. 6 But when he came to Simon Peter, that disciple asked, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7 Jesus answered, "You don't really know what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8 "You will never wash my feet!" Peter replied. "If I don't wash you," Jesus told him, "you don't really belong to me." 9 Peter said, "Lord, don't wash just my feet. Wash my hands and my head." 10 Jesus answered, "People who have bathed and are clean all over need to wash just their feet. And you, my disciples, are clean, except for one of you."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Verily: John 3:3, John 3:5

The servant: John 15:20, Matthew 10:24, Matthew 10:25, Luke 6:40

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 8:7 - they have not Matthew 5:18 - verily John 1:51 - Verily John 12:26 - serve John 14:28 - Father John 15:15 - I call

Cross-References

Genesis 13:1
Abram and Sarai took everything they owned and went to the Southern Desert. Lot went with them.
Genesis 13:2
Abram was very rich. He owned many cattle, sheep, and goats, and had a lot of silver and gold.
Genesis 13:3
Abram moved from place to place in the Southern Desert. And finally, he went north and set up his tents between Bethel and Ai,
Genesis 13:14
After Abram and Lot had gone their separate ways, the Lord said to Abram: Look around to the north, south, east, and west.
Genesis 13:16
I will give you more descendants than there are specks of dust on the earth, and someday it will be easier to count the specks of dust than to count your descendants.
Genesis 13:18
Abram took down his tents and went to live near the sacred trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar in honor of the Lord .
Genesis 15:5
Then the Lord took Abram outside and said, "Look at the sky and see if you can count the stars. That's how many descendants you will have."
Genesis 17:6
I will give you a lot of descendants, and in the future they will become great nations. Some of them will even be kings.
Genesis 17:16
I will bless her, and you will have a son by her. She will become the mother of nations, and some of her descendants will even be kings.
Genesis 17:20
I have heard what you asked me to do for Ishmael, and so I will also bless him with many descendants. He will be the father of twelve princes, and I will make his family a great nation.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Verily, verily, I say unto you,.... This is a strong way of asseveration, and is used when anything of moment and importance, and worthy of attention and observation is delivered.

The servant is not greater than his Lord; it is enough that he be as his Lord, which was a common phrase among the Jews;

:-,

:-; and as it is there made use of, to inform the disciples they must expect persecution, and to encourage them to bear it with patience; here it is designed to engage to humility; for if a master condescends to perform such an action, much more may a servant:

neither he that is sent, is greater than he that sent him. This is also a way of speaking in use among the Jews;

"R. Meir says, z who is greatest, he that keeps, or he that is kept? from what is written in Psalms 91:11, he that is kept, is greater than he that keeps: says R. Judah, which is greatest, he that carries, or he that is carried? from what is written in Psalms 91:12, he that is carried, is greater than he that carries: says R. Simeon, from what is written, in Isaiah 6:8, הוי המשלח גדול מן המשתלח, "he that sends, is greater than he that is sent".''

Which is the very phrase here used by Christ; and his meaning is this, that if it was not below him, who had chose and called, and sent them forth as his apostles, to wash their feet, they who were sent by him, should not disdain to wash one another's.

z Bereshit Rabba, fol. 68. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The servant is not ... - This was universally true, and this they were to remember always, that they were to manifest the same spirit that he did, and that they were to expect the same treatment from the world. See the notes at Matthew 10:24-25.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse John 13:16. The servant is not greater than his lord — Christ has ennobled the acts of humility by practising them himself. The true glory of a Christian consists in being, in his measure, as humble as his Lord.

Neither he that is sent — Ουδε αποϚολος Nor an apostle. As I think these words were intended for the suppression of all worldly ambition and lordly conduct in the apostles and their successors in the ministry, therefore I think the original word αποϚολος, should be translated apostle, rather than he that is sent, because the former rendering ascertains and determines the meaning better.


 
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