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Christian Standard Bible ®
John 13:16
“Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master,
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Concordances:
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- ChipParallel Translations
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
I tell you the truth, a servant is not greater than his master. A messenger is not 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.
"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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
Truly, truly, I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Contemporary English Version
I tell you for certain that servants are not greater than their master, and messengers are not greater than the one who sent them.
I tell you for certain that servants are not greater than their master, and messengers are not greater than the one who sent them.
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.
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.
Verily, verily, I say to you, The bondman is not greater than his lord, nor the sent greater than he who has sent him.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I am telling you the truth: no slaves are greater than their master, and no messengers are greater than the one who sent them.
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.
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.
Truly, truly, I say to you, A slave is not greater than his lord, nor a messenger greater than the one sending 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.
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.
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.
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.
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]
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]
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.
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.
Verily, verily, I say to you, That no servant is greater than his lord; and no legate is 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.
Ueryly, veryly, I say vnto you: The seruaunt is not greater the his maister, neither the messenger greater then he that sent 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Treuli, treuli, Y seie to you, the seruaunt is not grettere than his lord, nether an apostle is grettere than he that sente hym.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Verely verely I saye vnto you the servaunt is not greater then his master nether the messenger greater then he that sent 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;
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
I'm telling you that the cows ain't better than the cowboys, and cowboys ain't better than the jigger boss.
Contextual Overview
1Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2Now when it was time for supper, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray him. 3Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God. 4So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. 5Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who asked him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered him, “What I’m doing you don’t realize now, but afterward you will understand.” 8“You will never wash my feet,” Peter said. 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” 10“One who has bathed,”
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 went up from Egypt to the Negev—he, his wife, and all he had, and Lot with him.
Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev—he, his wife, and all he had, and Lot with him.
Genesis 13:2
Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.
Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.
Genesis 13:3
He went by stages from the Negev to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly been,
He went by stages from the Negev to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly been,
Genesis 13:14
After Lot had separated from him, the Lord said to Abram, “Look from the place where you are. Look north and south, east and west,
After Lot had separated from him, the Lord said to Abram, “Look from the place where you are. Look north and south, east and west,
Genesis 13:16
I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.
I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.
Genesis 13:18
So Abram moved his tent and went to live near the oaks of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the Lord.
So Abram moved his tent and went to live near the oaks of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the Lord.
Genesis 15:5
He took him outside and said, “Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “Your offspring will be that numerous.”
He took him outside and said, “Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “Your offspring will be that numerous.”
Genesis 17:6
I will make you extremely fruitful and will make nations and kings come from you.
I will make you extremely fruitful and will make nations and kings come from you.
Genesis 17:16
I will bless her; indeed, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will produce nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
I will bless her; indeed, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will produce nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
Genesis 17:20
As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will certainly bless him; I will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He will father twelve tribal leaders, and I will make him into a great nation.
As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will certainly bless him; I will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He will father twelve tribal leaders, and I will make him into 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, ××× ××ש×× ×××× ×× ××שת××, "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 — ÎÏ Î´Îµ αÏοÏÎ¿Î»Î¿Ï 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 αÏοÏολοÏ, should be translated apostle, rather than he that is sent, because the former rendering ascertains and determines the meaning better.
