John 13:31-38 | DiscipleDeck

Bible Commentary

John 13:31-38

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public Domain

Separation and its issue.

The departure of Judas sets Jesus free to discourse familiarly with his disciples.

I. THE TRAITOR'S DEPARTURE IS THE SIGNAL FOR THE REDEEMER'S GLORIFICATION. "Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him."

1. Jesus regards his death, now so near, as involving his glorification.

II. THE APPROACHING SEPARATION OF JESUS FROM HIS DISCIPLES. "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; so now I say to you."

1. The language is that of deep affection and solicitude. He sympathizes with the disciples in their coming bereavement, They are soon to be orphans.

2. The disciples would experience a longing to rejoin him after the separation which was now at hand.

3. They were not yet ready to follow him.

(a) The period of his absence was to be a season of spiritual growth. Love to one another, with the mutual sacrifices involved in it, would be the realization of his presence among them.

(b) The commandment of love was new in its scope and motive, though love was always the principle of the Decalogue. It was new,

( α) as it was enjoined after a new model—"even as I have loved you;"

( β) as it was love to brethren—to "the new creation;"

( γ) as it arose out of a new necessity—"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." This love was to be a badge of discipleship. The world would thus understand the true meaning of Christianity.

III. PETER'S ANXIETY TO KNOW OUR LORD'S DESTINATION, AND HIS EAGERNESS TO DIE WITH HIM. "Lord, whither goest thou?"

1. The question marks the disciple's loving regard for his Master, from whom he would not be separated in life or in death.

2. Yet it suggests that his mind was occupied with the idea of his Lord's establishment of a temporal kingdom. Where was he going? Was not Jerusalem to be the center of the coming kingdom? The answer of Jesus declares the separation to be inevitable, but only temporary. "Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards."

4. Peter's determination to follow his Master to death. "Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake."

5. Our Lord's prediction of Peter's fall. "The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice."

HOMILIES BY J.R. THOMSON

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Read today's devotional Save my progress

More for John 13:31-38

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

John 13 — OverviewJohn 13 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleOur Saviour having finished his public discourses, in which he "endured the contradiction of sinners," now applies himself to a private conversation with his friends, in which he designed the consolation of…John 13 — OverviewJohn 13 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeJohn 13:1, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet, and exhorts them to humility and charity; John 13:18, He foretells and discovers to John by a token, that Judas should betray him; v.31, commands them to love one another;…John 13 — OverviewJohn 13 · Little Bible — for children and parentsThe night before Jesus died, He did something shocking: He got up from the table, wrapped a towel around Himself, and washed His disciples' dirty feet — a job only servants did. Then He gave His followers a new…John 13:1-38John 13:1-38 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION IV. THE FINAL MANIFESTATIONS IN WORD AND ACTION OF THE LOGOS INCARNATE, EXPRESSING ITSELF ABSOLUTELY AND TO THE UTTERMOST AS LOVE. (Jn 13-21.) In two divisions— A. The inner glorification of the Christ in…John 13:31-35John 13:31-35 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleThis and what follows, to the end of ch. xiv., was Christ's table-talk with his disciples. When supper was done, Judas went out; but what did the Master and his disciples do, whom he left sitting at table? They…John 13:31John 13:31 · The Pulpit CommentaryJohn 16:33.— 3. THE VALEDICTORY DISCOURSES OF THE LORD.

commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.devotionThe Towel and the TitleTrue greatness is slippery; it slides down to the lowest place. This week, find a "foot-washing" opportunity in your home or church. Do a task that is "beneath" you; clean the bathroom, take out the trash, or do the dishes and do it secretly. Don't tell anyone. Let God be the only one who sees your towel.Discipledeck commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.