Subject: Gospel of John Title: Chapter Thirteen Text: John 13:1-38 Introduction From the outset of our study in the Gospel of John we noted that much of the content of this Gospel is unique to itself, i.e., 92% of the material found in John is not found in the other three synoptic gospels. As we begin Chapter 13, we observe what is called by many, The Upper Room Discourse. John only records the vast majority of things contained in Chapters 13 through 17. Matthew, Mark and Luke record what is called The Olivet Discourse where Jesus spoke of the coming end times. John does not record that information. We are now entering the day in which Christ was crucified. The supper took place the evening of Passover within the same Jewish 24 hour day that went evening to evening. Jesus knew that his hour was come (13:1). In this Upper Room Discourse, Jesus brought some final words and lessons prior to His crucifixion, and attempted to strengthen and encourage His disciples, for very difficult times were ahead. Outline of John Chapter 13 I. Jesus Washes the Feet of the Disciples (13:1-17). II. Jesus Prophesies His Betrayal by Judas (13:18-30). III. Jesus Gives a New Commandment (13:31-35). IV. Jesus Prophesies His Betrayal by Peter (13:36-38). The main lessons of this chapter are very obvious: humility, love, service, loyalty, faithfulness and commitment to Christ and one another in the body of Christ. I. Jesus Washes the Feet of the Disciples (13:1-17). John 13:1 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. v.1 - Jesus knew his hour was come - John 2:4; 7:30; 8:20; 12:23 Jesus public ministry is over. This is the beginning of the end. What follows in Chapters 13-17 are His final words of instruction. He loved them to the end - He never gave up on them. He loves them with a love that would never end. He loved them with the ultimate love - the love of God 13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon s son, to betray him; v.2 the devil now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot...to betray him - Luke 22:3-4, Chapter Thirteen 1
Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; v.3 - The Father had given all things into His hands - John 3:35, The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. v.4 - took a towel, and girded himself - It is interesting to note that Jesus humbled Himself in the context of the disciples argument of who would be the greatest. For some background on what was about to take place, let us look at Luke 22:19ff: Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! 23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. 24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. 13:5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest 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 save 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. Chapter Thirteen 2
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 as 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. The question of who was going to be the greatest is found in the context of the washing of the disciples feet in John 13! The Greatest then took a towel and girded Himself to humble Himself before His disciples. In v.13 Christ confirmed the fact that He is Master and Lord, where He also said,...for so I am. He then adds in vs.14-15, If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Christ has given us an example that we should wash one another s feet. There is much symbolism in the washing of feet, but the simple point is that we ought to be able to humble ourselves to minister to, and serve one another, ye should do as I have done to you (v.15). Then He says, Happy are ye if ye do them, (v.17). There is much personal joy and happiness from doing an altruistic act (Altruism = concern for others, i.e., Illustration - Rose s Marsh Lone Ranger event) Where do you humble yourself and wash the feet of someone your equal or inferior? II. Jesus Prophesies His Betrayal by Judas (13:18-30). John 13:18 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. 19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. 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. 21 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. 22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. 25 He then lying on Jesus breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? 26 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 Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. 28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. 29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. Chapter Thirteen 3
v.18 - The lifting of the heel signifies great betrayal and treachery. Judas betrayal was prophesied in the Old Testament: Psalm 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. Psalm 55:12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. Note the I am of John 13:19. v.20, he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. Jesus again confirmed His relationship with the Father, John 5:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. v.25 - Lord, who is it? - After announcing the coming betrayal, Peter asked John (the disciple of v.23 who was leaning on Jesus bosom, whom Jesus loved ) to ask Jesus, Who is it that will betray you? Jesus said the answer would be to whom He gave the sop (26), a piece of bread soaked in some kind of dip. v.26 - The giving of the sop designated special honor, like a toast; it was a mark of courtesy and esteem - David Guzik At that point when Jesus gave the sop to Judas, v.27 says that Satan entered into him - a most unusual set of circumstances. This is more than demonic possession! On a more practical note - what may be one of the most harmful or painful things one can do to another individual? Betrayal - Disloyalty - Gossip Leviticus 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Proverbs 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that fl attereth with his lips. Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fi re goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Chapter Thirteen 4
III. Jesus Gives a New Commandment (13:31-35). John 13:31 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; so now I say to 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 that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. vs.31-32 - Note the use of the word glorifi ed...glorify five times in two verses. The cross is a symbol of Christ s glory, not humiliation. Jesus was the victor not the victim. vs.33-34 - Put yourself in the disciples shoes. They are arguing about position in the coming Messianic Kingdom and Jesus says I m leaving. The new commandment exceeds the Old Testament command of loving another as you love yourself - love as I have loved you. In these next few verses, Jesus summed up the most important priorities of the Christian life: glorify God (31); love one another (34); follow Christ (36). * Glorify God (31) Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. * Love one another (34) This is a new commandment because the bar has been raised in the New Testament. Let us compare: Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. Now we know that this is a very difficult thing to do! This is the Old Testament standard. The New Testament standard should be even higher because we are to love one another the way Christ loves us! John 13:35 tells us that loving one another is the way that all men will know that we are disciples of Christ. If I were the devil, this is where I would try to destroy the Church. Jealousy, envy, self-righteousness, competition, gossip, slander, all are ways that Christians hurt one another. Chapter Thirteen 5
The balance of doctrinal purity and correctness, with true love for the brethren = Grace and Truth. The world needs the witness of true Christian brotherly love and kindness. * Follow Christ (36) IV. Jesus Prophesies His Betrayal by Peter (13:36-38). 36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest 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, Wilt 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. v.36 - Peter called Jesus Lord. The disciples always called Him, Lord. His enemies and the devils called Him Jesus. He is LORD. v.38 thou has denied me thrice - In these final verses there is a sobering lesson for all, the very worst, Judas, betrayed Jesus. But so did the very best, Peter - all have sinned and come short (Romans 3:23). Peter didn t sin or fail in the area of His weakness, he failed in the area of his strength, his courage. He failed in the area of his perceived strength. It was there that he relied heavily on himself, I will lay down my life for thy sake (37). Jesus said, Peter, you will fail in that area of which you are so sure. It could be that all of us must fail in the area of our strength before we will truly depend upon Christ for His strength. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul said he would rather glory in my infi rmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me...for when I am weak, then am I strong. Matthew 26:69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. Chapter Thirteen 6
John 13 is a story of humility and service. Christ is our example. If He can wash my feet, then I must be willing to wash yours. Betrayal is hurtful, painful and damaging. Often times instead of humbling ourselves to one another, we gossip and slander even in the household of faith. It certainly would be expected of the Judas type, but Peter? We are to love one another, By this shall all men know... Satan would love to divide us through envy, jealousy, self-righteousness and pride. 1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Chapter Thirteen 7