John 13

John 13:35

Having finished his public discussion, our Saviour improves the time in private with his disciples. In this chapter, 1. He neglects his disciples feet, ver. 1—17. 2. He foretells who should betray him, ver. 1—30. 3. He instructs them in the great doctrine of his own death, and the great duty of brotherly love, ver. 31—35. 4. He foretells Peter’s denying of him, ver. 30—38.

1. NOW before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come, that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2. And supper being ended, (the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him) 3. Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God, 4. He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments, and took a rowel and girded himself. 5. After that, he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the rowel wherewith he was girded. 6. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, doft thou wash my feet? 7. Jesus answered and laid unto him, What I do, thou knoweth not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, ‘If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed, needeth not, love to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11. For he knew who should betray him, therefore, said he, Ye are not all clean. 12. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13. ‘Ye call me, Master, and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14. ‘If I then your Lord and Master have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15. For I have given you an example, that ye should do at I have done to you. 16. 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. 17. ‘If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

2. 1—17. This transaction is supposed by some to have passed two days before the passover, during the supper at Simon’s house in Bethany; though others imagine it was done at the paschal supper itself.

3. Christ in deepest humility condescends to wash his disciples feet, to testify his love towards them, and set them an example. When he knew that his hour was come, that he should depart out of this world to the Father, by his death, resurrection, and affection; having loved his own which were in the world, with an everlasting love; he loved them unto the end, unchangeable in his regards, and purposing to bring them to a state of everlasting happiness with himself. And, as an influence of his love, supper being ended, or it being supper-time, (the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him) Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, all power in heaven and in earth; and that he was come from God, and went to God, notwithstanding the transcendent glory which he possessed in consequence thereof, yet, to make his humiliation more illustrious, and his love appear more astonishing, he riseth from supper, and laid aside his supper garments, and, as a servant, took a rowel and girded himself, tucked it round his walls. After that, he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the rowel wherewith he was girded. Note, (1.) Christ hath a peculiar people in this world, whom he dislous

guishes from all others with special marks of his love and regard, for who’s take he came into the world, and whom he will love to eternity, perfecting their salvation, and bringing them to be with him to enjoy him for ever and ever. (2.) The devil’s wishes are fatally prevalent: even an apostle becomes his prey. Who need not then tremble for himself. (3.) Whilst the amazing humility of Jesus raises our highest admiration, we should learn to imitate his bright example, and count nothing beneath us which may tend to God’s glory, or the good of immortal souls.

2. We have the conversation which past between Christ and Peter on this occasion. After having washed the feet of others, he came to Peter, who, amazed at such condescension, could not bear to see his Master in so revive an office, and faith, Lord, dof thee, the God of glory, the divine Messiah, sough my feet, a vile sinner as I am? Jesus answered and said, What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know heretofore, he made acquainted with my purpose and design in this matter. Peter faith unto him, Thou shalt never sough my feet: he was shocked at the thought of his Master’s degrading himself so low, and thought he never would content that he should perform so mean a service to so mankind a creature as he felt himself to be. Jesus answered him, If I sough thee not, if thou art not spiritually washed from thy sins by my blood, and cleansed by my Spirit, which is fightless by this washing of water, thou hast to part in me, on communion with me, no interest in me. Simon Peter faith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head; convinced of his error, and desiring nothing so much as his favour, and communion with him, and sensible how polluted he was throughout, he longs to be thoroughly purged from corruption, and to be washed all over. Jesus faith to him, He that is washed, justified and sanctified, needed not, since he sough his feet by daily application to the same fountain of my blood, to cleanse him from the remaining corruption which cleaves to him, and the guilt daily contracted in this polluted world; and will not be hereby cast out of my favour; but is clean every whir, regarded as competent in me, and habitually freed from the dominion of sin: and ye are clean in this sense, but not all, not every individual of you. For he knows who should betray him; therefore he said, ye are not all clean, Judas the traitor being of their manner. Note, (1.) The condescensions of Jesus cannot but be the astonishment of the enlightened soul. (2.) Though God’s dissertations appear dark and intricate, it becomes us never to object: we know not now, but we shall know heretofore, the reasons of his procedure. (3.) None have a part in Christ who are not cleansed by his heavenly washing. We cannot partake of his glory, if we are not first made partakers of his grace, washed in his blood and cleansed by his Spirit. (4.) It is good not to be peremptory in our resolves, as we may see cause to change our minds. (5.) They who have talked the grace of God in truth, desire the perfect sanctification of their hearts and lives. (6.) We need not only once come to Jesus for pardon and grace, but every day to renew the exercise of faith and repentance. (7.) Christ tries the hearts of his profetizing people, and knows who are hypocrites, and who are disciples indeed.

3. Christ explains to them the meaning of what he had done. To call on Master, and Lord: and ye say well; for ye I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye ought also to sough one another’s feet, condescending to every office of kindness, towards the meanest disciples. And, to reconcile them to duties to self-denying, he adds, Verily, verily I say unto you, The forward is not greater than his Lord, neither he that is just, greater than he that sent him. With such an example therefore before them, they need not think the lowest offices of charity a disparagement to them. If ye know their things, and understand my meaning, happy are ye if ye do them, and in your spirit and practice conform to my precepts and pattern. Note, (1.) Jesus is our Lord and Master: his teaching we must observe, his commands obey. (2.) A faithful disciple of Jesus studies how to thrive his brethren, and is ready to condescend to the lowest in every work of faith and labour of love. (3.) Christ hath set us an example that we should follow his steps; what he enjoins on us he hath practiced first himself. (4.) Knowledge is good, but practice is the line of religion. They are doubly criminal who know better and do worse.

4. ¶ I speak not of you all; I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me, hath lifted up his heel against me. 1st. ¶ Now I tell you before it come, that when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. 2d. Verily, verily I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me: and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me. 2d. When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 2d. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. 2d. Now there was leaning on Jesus bosom, one of his disciples whom Jesus

loved. 2d. Simon Peter therefore beckened to him; that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. 2d. He then lying on Jesus brash, faith unto him, Lord, who is it? 2d. Jesus answered, He it is to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscator, the son of Simon. 2d. And after the sop, Satan entred into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doft, do quickly. 2d. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. 2d. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Boy these things that we have need of against the feast: or that he should give something to the poor. 2d. He then having received the sop, went immediately out: and it was night.

9. 18—30. Christ knew who should betray him, and here he begins to point out the traitor to his disciples.

10. In general he lets them know there was a false disciple among them, on whom none of the things he had spoken would have had any effect. I speak not of you all, as clean and faithful; I know whom I have chosen to salvation, as well as apostleship: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, which said, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me, therefore have I called one to be an apostle whom I know to be a traitor, notwithstanding all the kindness I have shewn him. Note I tell you before it come, that when it is now to pass, ye may believe that I am he, and may be the more confirmed in your faith of my divine omniscience and mechanical chandler, when you see this prediction awfully verified. And to encourage you to be faithful, whatever falsehood you may see in others, or whatever humbling services you may be called to, Verily, verily I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me, and testifies his respect for me, in the homest part of my ambassador; and he that receiveth me as the Messiah sent of God, receiveth him that sent me. When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, deeply affected with the traitor’s guilt, and the rush hanging over his head, and testified, and said, Verily, verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Note, (1.) The Lord knows those that are his, and whom he hath chosen to grace and glory, and they shall never perish. (2.) Many eat at Christ’s table who most ungratefully list up their heel against him, and with aggravated guilt prove faithless and betray him. (3.) Every true minister of Jesus is his ambassador, and represents his Prince’s person. For his sake therefore is he to be honoured.

11. He points out Judas in particular as the person designed, shocked at what they heard, doubtful which of them was meant, and anxious to know, each of them looked at the other, to observe whether either would betray any symptoms of guilt; and, as John the beloved disciple lay on the couch next below Jesus, as it were in his bosom, Simon Peter, eager to be resolved, privately gave him a hint that he should lately ask their Master who was meant: when, taking an opportunity, he whispered, Lord, was it it? Jesus answered, So how as not to be heard by the rest, He it is to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it in the sauce. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscator, the son of Simon, intimating to John that he was the person. Note, (1.) It is a bitter grief to true disciples to hear of the scandals brought upon Jesus by false pretensions of religion. (2.) Those are happy whom Jesus favours with his especial regard, and lays in the bosom of his love.

12. Judas immediately less himself to accomplish his hellish purpose. After the sop, Satan entred into him, possessed his body and soul, and drove him to the precipice of destruction. Then said Jesus, What thou doft, do quickly, either challenging him to do his work, or abandoning him to Satan’s devices. None at the table having heard what he had said to John, they suspected Christ had given Judas orders to provide something against the feast, or to distribute some relief to the poor, he being the purchaser. Urged on by the power of the wicked one, he went out perfectly, fixed in his bale and wicked purpose; and it was night, the fittest time for such deeds of darkness; and, however unfeasible the hour, so eager was he bent upon his treachery, that nothing could delay him. Note, (1.) When Christ abandons the sinner to Satan’s power, he rushes headlong to ruin. (2.) They who withdraw from the society of the faithful, begin to shew the apostasy of their hearts.

13. ¶ Therefore when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. 33. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come: to now I say unto you. 34. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35. By this shall all men know

When Judas was gone out, Jesus addressed himself to his faithful apostles.

1. He informs them, that the hour of his glorification was now nearly arrived. Jesus said, Now is the Son of men glorified; he is ready by his sufferings to obtain the glorious victory over all his own and his people’s sons, son, Satan, death, and hell: and God is glorified in him; all his divine perfection being most eminently displayed in the obedience to death of the Redeemer. If God be glorified in him, his justice, truth, wisdom, mercy exalted to the highest by his cross; God shall also glorify him in himself, or with himself; bringing him to the mediatorial throne in heaven; and shall straighten him to the abominable of the people of Jesus, and especially by his speedy resurrection.

2. He intimates to them, that the time of his face with them would be very short. Little children, so tenderly and affectionately doth the Lord Jesus regard his dear people, yet a little while I am with you. To shall seek me; keeping the my bodily presence with you: and as I said unto the Jesus, Whither I go, ye cannot come: So now say I unto you; you must be content for a while under the irksome separation, till the hour of your glory shall also arrive, (v. 36.) and ye shall then come to be with me where I am.

3. He charges them to cultivate mutual love. A new commandment I give unto you; not indeed now first enjoined, since it was the old commandments which had been from the beginning, but through the degeneracy of the times it had ceased to be practised, but was now more clearly explained, and enforced by new motives; a command the most excellent, and the fundamental law of that kingdom which he came to establish; that ye love one another, as I have loved you; ready to every act of kindness, and to part with every thing, it need be, even life itself, for the good of your brethren: and this was to be the characteristic mark of their discipleship; for by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another; they shall take knowledge of you, that you have been with me, and learnt of me. Note, The distinguishing badge of true Christianity is this spirit of fervent charity. Love is the image of Jesus: he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in him. This will make us more and lowly towards our brethren; ready to pass by their procreation; to forgive their offences; to pity their infirmities; to bear with their differences in opinion or practice; to delight in their prosperity; to promote their good, spiritual and temporal; and ever to maintain towards them the kindest sentiments, and be constant in warmest applications to the throne of grace on their behalf. Then shall the wondring world say of us as of old, See how they Christians love one another. A spirit of sinthastic, narrowness, bitterness, dispute, animosity, is a reproach to the profession of Christianity; and proves, that those who are actuated by it, deceive their own selves, when they call themselves the followers of Jesus.

1 Chap. xii. 2. a Pres. 3. a Mat. xviii. 4. Mat. xvii. 5. Mat. xviii. 6. Luke xiii. 7.

36. ¶ Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goeth thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. 37. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. 38. Jesus answered him, With thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

John 13:36-38

We have here a conference between Christ and Peter on what he had said, v. 33.

1. Peter, disbanded perhaps with what Christ had spoken, v. 33. is solicitous to know whither he was going, and therefore eagerly enquired. Probably he thought he was about to quit Judas, and, according to their prejudiced opinions of the Messiah, to erect his kingdom in some other part of the world.

2. Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now: Christ had work yet for Peter to do upon earth, before he should gain the glorious crown of martyrdom: but thou shalt follow me afterwards, partaking both of my sufferings and glory. Note, Our eternal inheritance is secured for us; and tho’ here we wait and suffer a while, the happy hour will arrive, when we shall come to be with Jesus where he is.

3. Peter, with too much self-confidence, unwilling his Master should doubt his courage, or determined purpose to cleave to him wherever he went, replied, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? What dangers or difficulties can deter me? I will lay down my life for thy sake, and will due sooner than desert them.

4. Christ warns him of the weakness of his resolution, and how unable he would find himself for the least part of what he promised. I will then lay down thy life for my sake? how little dust thou know thy own weakness? Firstly, verily I go over that, take notice of it as the most certain truth, The and shall not create, till thou hast denied me thrice; before another sun shall

rise, and the time of cock-crowing is over, thou shalt not only deny me as thy Master, but disown the very knowledge of my person. Note, We know not our weakness till the temptation comes, and every boast of self-confidence is a certain prelude to a fall.