Bible Commentaries
John 13

Verse 1

Joh 13:1

John 13:1

Now before the feast of the passover,—[How long before is not specified. I take it to mean just before. This feast refers to the eating of the paschal lamb.]

Jesus knowing that his hour was come—[The exact hour was close at hand—the time was come. The preliminaries had already begun.]

that he should depart out of this world unto the Father,—[Calvary was no accident. Jesus knew that he would die on the morrow.]

having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end.—[I take “his own” here to mean his disciples. They were “in the world,” and were to remain in the world, exposed to its temptations and trials. He is filled with a tender sympathy for them, knowing that they are soon to be deprived of his presence and counsel. Having given them abundant proofs of his love in word and deed heretofore, now at the close of his intercourse he will give them a crowning proof in the acts and words of this memorial night.] The Passover was approaching when he knew that he must suffer and die. The knowledge of his approaching sufferings did not destroy his interest in his disciples, but rather increased unto the end. Indeed all the sufferings that he endured were for the sake of these disciples—not the world. He suffered all for them and his desire for their happiness increased as the end approached. This was said in view of what follows.

Verses 1-17

Joh 13:1-17

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet - John 13:1-17

Open It

1. *What is your idea of great customer service?

2. In what way does our society instill in us the desire to be served?

3. What do your neighbors consider to be signs of high position or status?

Explore It

4. What did Jesus know it was time to do? (John 13:1)

5. What had the devil prompted Judas to do? (John 13:2)

6. What did Jesus know that the Father had done? (John 13:3)

7. What did Jesus do when He got up from His meal with the disciples? (John 13:4-5)

8. Why did Peter express shock? (John 13:6)

9. How did Jesus respond to Peter’s amazement? (John 13:7)

10. *What did Peter declare he would never allow? (John 13:8)

11. Why was it important for Jesus to wash the disciples’ feet? (John 13:8)

12. What did Peter want Jesus to do? (John 13:9)

13. Why did Peter need only his feet washed? (John 13:10)

14. Why did Jesus qualify His statements? (John 13:11)

15. *What did Jesus tell His disciples they should do? (John 13:12-15)

16. *What is the difference between servants and masters? (John 13:16)

17. How did Jesus say that His disciples would be blessed? (John 13:17)

Get It

18. When and why do you find it difficult to allow others to serve you?

19. *When and why is it difficult for you to serve others?

20. How has Jesus cleansed us?

21. *In what way does Jesus wash our feet today?

22. In what way are we to wash the feet of others?

23. What example did Jesus set for us to follow?

24. In what areas do you struggle with being humble?

25. What makes being humble so difficult?

26. When and why do you feel in competition with other believers?

Apply It

27. Who is someone you can serve today? How?

28. *Whose service do you need to accept the next time he or she offers?

29. What proud attitude do you still exhibit that could benefit from Jesus’ example?

Verse 2

Joh 13:2

John 13:2

And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,—This is Thursday evening as is generally believed. On the day previous, Judas had bargained with the chief priests and elders to betray him. It was to be done in the absence of the crowds without strife or confusion. The Common Version reads: “After supper”; the Revised, “During supper.” A better rendering than either is the Bible Union Version, which renders it, “Supper being served, ready to be eaten.” It was after it was served, ready to be eaten, knowing all things about to occur, after they had seated themselves at the table, Jesus arose and washed the feet of his disciples. [The fact that the devil put into Judas’ heart to betray Jesus does not exculpate or excuse Judas. It is true that Satan may cast darts of temptation into the heart, but we need not allow them to rankle. We are not responsible for the evil thought suggested by the devil, but we are responsible for harboring it and acting upon it.]

Verse 3

Joh 13:3

John 13:3

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto God,—To understand this, we must look at the circumstances attending. It was the Passover to which no unclean person could approach. When the Jews came up to Jerusalem to observe the Passover, they purified themselves: “Now the passover of the Jews was at hand: and many went up to Jeru­salem out of the country before the passover, to purify them­selves.” (John 11:55). These disciples of the Lord had thus pre­pared themselves when they came to the city of Jerusalem; but in passing to and from the city were liable to have their feet contaminated by the touch of something unclean, and to avoid this, after they approached the supper, their feet were washed. This was the occasion of the washing at this time, hence the language of Jesus to Peter: “He that is bathed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit.” (John 13:10). They had been purified when they came to the city and now only needed the washing of the feet to be clean entirely so they could partake of the Passover supper. An­other fact that should not be overlooked is that “there arose also a contention among them, which of them was accounted to be greatest.” (Luke 22:24). This was after they came to the table. The washing of one another’s feet, it seems prob­able, gave rise to this contention. The humbler should wash the feet of the greater was the rule among the Jews. While they were disputing over this and to reprove them for their untimely contention, Jesus prepared himself to wash their feet. This gives significance to Peter’s language: “Thou shalt never wash my feet.” While contending with his fellow dis­ciples that some of them should do it, the emphasis was that Jesus should not. The presence of the basin and towels at the place indicate the correctness of this statement. [Here Jesus asserts anew his divinity and anticipates his ascension. He did not allow the treachery working in the heart of Judas to prevent him from doing what follows. He did not wash Judas’ feet in ignorance that he would betray him, but with full knowledge of it.]

Verse 4

Joh 13:4

John 13:4

riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments, and he took a towel, and girded himself.—While they were con­tending who should wash the feet of the others, Jesus laid aside his outside robe and girdle as a servant does and tied the towel around his waist.

Verse 5

Joh 13:5

John 13:5

Then he poureth water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.—He then proceeded to perform the office of a servant.

Verse 6

Joh 13:6

John 13:6

So he cometh to Simon Peter. He saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?—With whom he began it is not cer­tain. It may mean, in beginning to do the work, he came to Peter first. If he did not begin with Peter, the one with whom he began seems to have made no remonstrance. This question of Peter, with the reply of Jesus, seems to show that he came first to Peter with water before he had washed any others.

Verse 7

Joh 13:7

John 13:7

Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou know­est not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter.—What Jesus did Peter did not now understand, but when he came to know the true spirit and mission of Jesus he would under­stand the significance of the service he rendered them. Con­nect with this the teaching recorded by Luke 22:24-27 in reproof of the strife as to who is greatest: “And there arose also a contention among them, which of them was accounted to be greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles have lordship over them; and they that have author­ity over them are called Benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For which is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat ? but I am in the midst of you as he that serveth.” [This is not a mere foot washing, for then another and not I ought to have performed it. It is a symbol. Peter ought to have realized the meaning of these words, but, with his usual rashness, answers hastily.]

Verse 8

Joh 13:8

John 13:8

Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet.—Peter with his impulsiveness and promptness, in deciding and acting, told Jesus he could never submit to so dishonor­ing Jesus as to permit him to wash his feet. [He is stupid. He does not realize that Jesus must have a lofty reason. He only sees the humiliation of the Master he loves and he cannot bear it.]

Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.—This response of Jesus may have a deeper and more far-reaching meaning than we are in the habit of seeing in it. If I wash thee not, if I cleanse thee not, thou hast no part with me. [Your part is submission to my will. It is not for you to question—only to obey. Make your choice, submission or exclusion.] The reply of Jesus had a double meaning. The question of purification was brought out again: If I purify you not, you have no part with me. While this literal washing was primarily referred to, the deeper signifi­cance of a spiritual purification was implied. (Revelation 1:5-6).

Verse 9

Joh 13:9

John 13:9

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head—Peter with the same quick and decisive spirit asks him to wash his face and his hands also. [Here is the same Peter who rushes upon the water and a moment afterwards cries, “I perish!” Who strikes with the sword and who takes to flight, who enters into the presence of the high priest and yet denies his Master. The loyalty of heart which was under all this insubordination speaks out here. If it is a question of union with thee, wash me com­pletely. Consecrate my whole body. He still does not enter fully into the thought. He is imagining something efficacious in the physical act.] Peter, with his earnestness and impulsive­ness, seeing his favor with Jesus depended on his being washed by him runs to the other extreme and asks him not only to wash his feet, but his hands and head also. “Wash me all over,” in other words.

Verse 10

Joh 13:10

John 13:10

Jesus saith to him, He that is bathed—[He who has washed his whole body once for the day.]

needeth not save to wash his feet,—[Which may have be­come soiled from the defilements of the road.] But since they had been purified and only the feet had been exposed to contamination, only the feet needed to be washed and the whole person was cleansed.

but is clean every whit:—[In all other particulars. So he who, by earnestly attaching himself to Christ, has broken with sin once for all has no need at each particular defilement to begin anew this general consecration; he has only to cleanse himself from the stain by confession and recourse to Christ.]

and ye are clean, but not all.—Here he gives a spiritual significance to his language and says that not only the body was clean, but they were all spiritually clean, save one, whom he knew would betray him. [There was one of the little crowd who had not spiritually bathed himself, to whom mere foot washing would do no good.]

Verse 11

Joh 13:11

John 13:11

For he knew him that should betray him;—Jesus al­ready knew that Judas had bargained to betray him.

therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.—After the service had been performed, he asked if they knew the significance of it. [By expressing in this way the grief which they thought his crime caused him to feel, Jesus makes a last effort to bring Judas to repentance. And if he does not succeed, he will at least have shown to his disciples that he was not the dupe of his hypocrisy. (Verse 19).]

Verse 12

Joh 13:12

John 13:12

So when he had washed their feet,—[Peter therefore submitted, and his feet were washed with the rest.]

and taken his garments, and sat down again, he said unto them,—[The object lesson is over. Now comes the explana­tion of its teaching.]

Know ye what I have done to you?—[You know the literal act, but do you understand its significance, the spiritual ap­plication?]

Verse 13

Joh 13:13

John 13:13

Ye call me, Teacher, and, Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.—They all recognized him as their Teacher and Ruler. [Jesus exalts his relationship to them in order that the lesson to be drawn from his act of humility may be the stronger.]

The word “Lord” has a distinct meaning, and in reading the word of God that meaning should be kept in mind. You call me your Ruler and Teacher. “And ye say well [or rightly]; for so I am.” He had come from God to teach them. They had left all to follow him, as his servants and pupils. He im­presses the relationship and his superiority upon them, for, without feeling this, they could not understand the lesson he was teaching them.

Verse 14

Joh 13:14

John 13:14

If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.—I have per­formed the office of a servant for you and you ought to do such acts for one another.

Verse 15

Joh 13:15

John 13:15

For I have given you an example,—He is enforcing on this occasion the great lesson of his mission—that the true end of the servant of God is to serve and not to be served, that men and angels will find their highest and best good in helping others. Man can bless himself only by blessing others.

that ye also should do as I have done to you.—This wash­ing of the feet was the cleansing that they might eat the pass­over supper. The special service could not again occur save on a similar occasion. As the Passover passed away or was swallowed up in Christ, our Passover, the same service might occur. But the principle taught in this by example was: let him that would be greatest be servant of all. There is nothing in this that could indicate a special ordinance or formal observance to be perpetuated in the church. The feet washing of both the Old Testament and the New were acts of helpful kindness when needed. [To take these words as a command to establish the church ordinance of foot washing, as some have done, is to utterly miss the spirit of the whole scene, and the great lesson it was intended to convey.]

Verse 16

Joh 13:16

John 13:16

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.—If the Master could perform such acts for the servants, the servants should not object to doing it for one another. I send you—do not think you are better than I. If you are my servants, as you are sent by me, you should not feel yourselves above doing what I do; you should follow my footsteps and be led by the Spirit that moves me.

Verse 17

Joh 13:17

John 13:17

If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them.—If they understood the lessons taught it would add much to their happiness if they would do them. The spirit that is willing to serve is one that will always bring happiness, and without which true happiness cannot be attained. A person that is always expecting and exacting deference will be un­happy. Seek to show deference, let such esteem others better than themselves, is the spirit that Christ inculcates and is one that will bring happiness in time and eternity. What will bring true happiness in time will also bring it in eternity and vice versa. Then if you have understood these things, you shall be blessed if you do them. The principle of helping the helpless, of weeping with those that weep, and of encour­aging the lowly and encouraging the sinful to sin no more is the essential and fundamental spirit of Jesus Christ and his holy religion, and to cultivate the spirit and practice of doing good to others is the work that fits mortals for the home with him forever.

Verse 18

Joh 13:18

John 13:18

I speak not of you all:—In these commendatory remarks he embraces all save Judas.

I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me.—He fulfilled the prophecy of Psalms 41:9. The action of Judas fulfilled this scripture rather than he did it to fulfill it. The scripture foretold it because it would be done.

Verses 18-30

Joh 13:18-30

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal - John 13:18-30

Open It

1. What persons in history or literature are known as traitors?

2. *Why is trust important to a friendship?

Explore It

3. What did Jesus say about the person who shared His bread? (John 13:18)

4. Why did Jesus tell His disciples He would be betrayed? (John 13:19)

5. What did Jesus say about His disciples? (John 13:20)

6. *Why was Jesus troubled? (John 13:21)

7. How did Jesus’ disciples respond when He said one of them would betray Him? (John 13:22)

8. What did Peter do? (John 13:23-24)

9. *How did Jesus answer the beloved disciple’s question? (John 13:26)

10. What happened to Judas when he took the bread? (John 13:27)

11. What did Jesus say to Judas? (John 13:27)

12. *What did the other disciples think Jesus was telling Judas to do? (John 13:28-29)

13. What did Judas do? (John 13:30)

Get It

14. Why is it hard to maintain an intimate and growing relationship with another person?

15. *How would it feel to be betrayed by a close friend?

16. Whom do you know who has been hurt by betrayal?

17. *What can you do to build trust in all your friendships?

18. How do we betray Jesus with our words or by our life-style?

19. Why and how are we tempted to betray Jesus?

20. What are the consequences of betraying Jesus?

Apply It

21. What behavior that betrays your relationship with Jesus will you ask God to help you change?

22. *What is the first step you can take toward building trust in one personal relationship this week?

Verse 19

Joh 13:19

John 13:19

From henceforth I tell you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.—Jesus foretold the treason of Judas as of other things that would occur at once to prepare them for what would be done, and that after they came to pass as he foretold they would, they might see his divine foreknowledge and believe in him as the Son of God.

Verse 20

Joh 13:20

John 13:20

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whom­soever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me re­ceiveth him that sent me.—In connection with the assertion of his authority he tells them that those he might send out would go clothed with his authority as he was clothed with the authority of him who sent him, and the treatment given them and their message would be received as done to him­self. [Those who received the apostles not only received the messengers of Christ, but Christ himself. To receive Christ would be to receive the Father who sent him.]

Verse 21

Joh 13:21

John 13:21

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in the spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.—After saying these things, his mind recurred to the treason of Judas, and the sufferings before him and this troubled him. Jesus had all the repugnance of a strong sensitive nature to suffering and he shrank from it, as his prayer “remove this cup from me” indicates, and he repeats in sorrowful tones “that one of you shall betray me.”

Verse 22

Joh 13:22

John 13:22

The disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.—The disciples, save Judas did not know to whom he referred. So wondering and inquiring glances were ex­changed in doubt as to whom he referred. There seems to have been nothing in the conduct of Judas heretofore that directs suspicion or attention to him as the person to whom reference was made, notwithstanding it had been said that he was a thief in carrying the bag.

Verse 23

Joh 13:23

John 13:23

There was at the table reclining in Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples,—It is said that the persons at the table reclined on couches placed around the table, each resting on the left elbow, leaving the right hand free for use. One in front of the other could easily turn the head and rest on the bosom of the person behind.

whom Jesus loved.—John who is known as the beloved of Jesus occupied this position nearest Jesus.

Verse 24

Joh 13:24

John 13:24

Simon Peter therefore beckoneth to him, and saith unto him, Tell us who it is of whom he speaketh.—Peter, always prompt and forward in every case that arose, beckoned to John to ask which it was that should betray him.

Verse 25

Joh 13:25

John 13:25

He leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?—[John complied with the request of Peter and asked, “Who is it?” All innocent parties were in­terested in knowing who he was.]

Verse 26

Joh 13:26

John 13:26

Jesus therefore answereth, He it is, for whom I shall dip the sop, and give it him. So when he had dipped the sop, he taketh and giveth it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.—He dipped the sop and gave it to Judas Iscariot and in this way pointed him out as the person. This exposed Judas to the disciples as the traitor. It let him know that Jesus knew that he had already bargained to betray him.

Verse 27

Joh 13:27

John 13:27

And after the sop, then entered Satan into him.—[Up to this time he had doubts and impulses to do better, but now he gives himself up wholly to Satan’s work. He was already under his influence, but now he plunges headlong into the bottomless pit.] Satan had entered into Judas and led him to go to the priests to bargain for his betrayal, now he enters to prompt him to put his purpose into execution.

Jesus therefore saith unto him, What thou doest, do quickly.—The time had come and Jesus desired that what he did should be done and completed. [Judas was now fully ex­posed. Christ knew he had covenanted to betray him, and bids him do it at once. He desired the wicked deed to be done that night and for the traitor to leave the little band at once so that he might be alone to give a last charge to the faithful disciples.]

Verse 28

Joh 13:28

John 13:28

Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.—Those at the table did not understand the significance of the language.

Verse 29

Joh 13:29

John 13:29

For some thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus said unto him, Buy what things we have need of for the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.—Judas kept the treasury that the apostles had, and out of it things were bought for the feast and the poor were helped. They ex­pected something would be done promptly. There is diffi­culty in harmonizing all the facts connected with the Passover by Jesus. He had partaken of the Passover at this time, but he speaks of the feast yet future. Again on the next day the priests that accused Jesus did not go into Pilate’s judgment hall “that they might not be defiled, but might eat the pass­over.” (John 18:28). This would imply that the passover was not yet eaten. Two explanations are offered for this. One is that Jesus ate the passover at the appointed hour, but that throughout the week of the feast there were other meals to be eaten, and as no unleaven bread could be used during the week so all had to keep themselves clean for this eating during the week, and this language refers to some feasting at a later day of the week. The other theory is that Jesus ate the passover as is attested (Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-18; Luke 22:7-15), but that he ate it the evening before the regular time, and he himself was slain at the hour of slaying the paschal lamb, intended to typify the slaying of Jesus. This latter seems to me probable. He could not be slain at the time for slaying the passover lamb and eat the passover at the accustomed time too. He chose to die at the appointed hour and so was compelled to anticipate the time of eating it.

Verse 30

Joh 13:30

John 13:30

He then having received the sop went out straightway: and it was night.—Judas having been pointed out as the per­son who should betray him and admonished to do it at once, immediately left the table and went out on his mission.

Verse 31

Joh 13:31

John 13:31

When therefore he was gone out, Jesus saith, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him;—Judas„ leaving on this mission, brought more vividly to his mind that the time was now come for the tragedy that would end in his resurrection, ascension, and glorification at the right hand of God. He looks beyond the sorrows to this end. God would be glorified in glorifying Jesus. [The hour has come and Jesus is about ready to go through his bloody pathway into the presence of his Father. The disciples will be left without him to meet the trials and persecutions of the earth. The time has arrived for him to pour forth the deepest feel­ings of his soul in their behalf. In the discourse that follows he comforts, consoles, instructs, and points them to the glory, power, and grace of their Lord. He strives as never before to reveal himself to the disciples so fully that every doubt of his divinity shall pass away when the darkness and gloom that gathered around his tomb shall have been dispelled by a deep knowledge of his glory.]

Verses 31-38

Joh 13:31-38

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial - John 13:31-38

Open It

1. What can you learn about a person from the way he or she dresses?

2. How do people reveal their convictions through their life-style?

3. *What does it mean to love someone?

Explore It

4. What did Jesus say when Judas had gone? (John 13:31)

5. What did God do through Jesus? (John 13:32)

6. How much longer did Jesus say He would be with His disciples? (John 13:33)

7. Why was Jesus saying farewell? (John 13:33)

8. What was Jesus giving to His disciples? (John 13:34)

9. *What did Jesus command His disciples to do? (John 13:34)

10. *How did Jesus say people would know His disciples? (John 13:35)

11. What question did Peter ask Jesus? (John 13:36)

12. What did Jesus tell Peter? (John 13:36)

13. *What did Peter pledge to do? (John 13:37)

14. What blunt statement did Jesus make about Peter? (John 13:38)

Get It

15. How is God glorified by our behavior?

16. *What does it mean for you to love people as Jesus has loved them?

17. What kind of love was Jesus talking about?

18. *How is love a sign that someone is a disciple of Christ?

19. How do we deny Christ with our words or life-style?

20. When and why are we tempted to deny Jesus?

21. How does our denying Christ affect our relationship with Him as well as our relationships with other Christians?

Apply It

22. *Who is someone you need to love as Christ has loved you? How?

23. What can you do to stay loyal to Christ this week with either your words or your life-style?

24. How can you show Christ’s love to others at your place of work, at home, or in your neighborhood?

25. What steps can you take to become more loving to others?

Verse 32

Joh 13:32

John 13:32

and God shall glorify him in himself, and straightway shall he glorify him.—The glorification is mutual. God glo­rifies himself in exalting and glorifying Jesus. So Jesus is glorified in glorifying those who honor him.

Verse 33

Joh 13:33

John 13:33

Little children, yet a little while I am with you.—He spoke to them tenderly because they were but children in their ignorance of what was before them. He had often told them that he must die, be buried, and rise the third day, but in their weakness and blindness they failed to take it in.

Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say unto you.—He tells his disciples, as he had told the Jews before, that soon he would leave them and they could not come to him while he was absent. He would die, they would be scattered, and for a little while be in distress and doubt over their condition. [He would be in the grave and while there they could not come to him; but he comforts them by assuring them that he would come to them again.]

Verse 34

Joh 13:34

John 13:34

A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another;—This was given in anticipation of what would befall them. Moses had said unto them,’“Thou shalt love thy neigh­bor as thyself.” (Leviticus 19:18).

even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.—Jesus introduced a higher order of love—a love that caused him to leave heaven, come to earth, and suffer and die for them. His disciples must partake of the same degree or meas­ure of love, and give up earthly and temporal good for their spiritual and eternal good. [The commandment to love was not new, but such love as Jesus commanded was. This love demands that we give up all as Jesus did.]

Verse 35

Joh 13:35

John 13:35

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.—By this self-denying love for one another, partaking of the love he manifested all men should know that they were his disciples. [The presence of such love does more than cause those who see it working in others to marvel. It points them to Christ as its author, for all must admit, when it shines forth in its excellency, that it is of heavenly origin. When it is fully exhibited men know that those who possess it are the disciples of Christ.]

Verse 36

Joh 13:36

John 13:36

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow afterwards.—[Peter does not yet com­prehend the Lord’s death. We now come to one of the saddest points recorded by John, that is, the last moments the Lord spent with his own before his suffering, a moment in which he speaks words full of tenderness and heavenly meaning. The Lord’s way was to the cross, the sepulchre, the ascension, and to heaven. Peter might follow in due time, but the Lord had other work for him now. The Lord does not answer his question directly. Tradition says that Peter did follow Christ to the cross in death. He was also crucified.]

Verse 37

Joh 13:37

John 13:37

Peter saith unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee even now? I will lay down my life for thee.—Peter felt mor­tified by Jesus saying that they could not follow him now. He felt that Jesus had implied that they had not the courage and fidelity to follow him, and Peter really felt that he was ready to die for and with Jesus, and why could he not go with Jesus wherever he went. Peter was in this claiming the same love for Jesus that Jesus had for them. Peter was sincere and thought he was ready to die with Jesus, but he did not understand himself. He was rashly bold and cou­rageous, but when the conditions called for discreet and pa­tient endurance without display Peter failed. Jesus knew what was in Peter. He knew the good and he knew also his weakness.

Verse 38

Joh 13:38

John 13:38

Jesus answereth, Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.—John refers to but one cock crowing. The other writers refer to two. There are two times for cock-crowing. At midnight the cock crows, but only a little. At three o’clock in the morning the principal cock-crowing takes place. When only one is spoken of as the cock-crowing, the three o’clock, when the chief crowing occurs, is meant. When two are spoken of, both the twelve o’clock crowing and the main one at three o’clock are referred to. When Jesus said to Peter, “The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice,” he meant before the second or time for the main crowing, or as we would say, “Before three o’clock you will deny me.” When John says, “The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice,” he means the chief crowing of the cock will not take place till thou hast denied me thrice. Both mean you will deny me before three o’clock. [“The Lord reveals to him his weakness. It was then night. Before the cock shall crow for the dawn of the next morning he will have thrice denied his Lord. For the fulfillment of this prediction, see Luke 22:54-60. Peter had bravely at­tempted to defend his Master with a sword when the com­pany came, led by Judas, but when Christ was led away, he ‘followed afar off.’ His courage was departing. First, in the hall of the high priest, he denied to the maidservant that he knew Christ, then a little while later he denied to another. About an hour later another said, ‘Of a truth this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.’ And Peter denied with oaths, declaring. ‘Man, I know not what thou sayest.’ Just then the cock crowed for the approach of day.”]

Questions on John Chapter Thirteen

E.M. Zerr

1. What hour was at hand?

2. It was before what feast?

3. Where did Jesus expect to go from this world?

4. Describe his love for his own.

5. What was taking place among them?

6. Ten what the devil had done.

7. What did Jesus know?

8. What articles did he procure?

9. From what did he arise to do this?

10. What did he now begin to do?

11. To which apostle does he come?

12. What did he observe Jesus doing?

13. And yet what did he not know?

14. Why did he protest?

15. How did he explain himself?

16. Who was not to benefit by this washing?

17. After the washing what did Jesus resume?

18. Repeat the lesson he gave from the washing.

19. What spirit was it meant to teach?

20. Tell how they might be made happy.

21. Whose heel was to be lifted against Jesus?

22. Why did he foretell it to the disciples?

23. What two must be received together?

24. State the feeling of Jesus now.

25. What did he say?

26. Tell what the disciples then did.

27. What was their feeling?

28. Tell what one of them was doing.

29. What is said of him and Jesus?

30. State the request Peter made to him.

31. How did Jesus answer?

32. To whom did the answer apply?

33. What did Jesus bid him do?

34. How was this misunderstood?

35. Why did Judas leave the group?

36. What announcement did Jesus then make?

37. Who was to be glorified?

38. How long was he to be with the children?

39. State the prediction he made to them.

40. Why was this to be so?

41. What new commandment did he give them?

42. To what example did he refer?

43. How would this affect others?

44. What question did Peter ask?

45. He was told he could not do what?

46. When could he do so?

47. What indicated his impatience?

48. Tell what rash statement he made.

49. What was it supposed to accomplish?

50. Repeat the prediction Jesus made.