John 13:1 (ESV) Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
Ever read a passage and wonder over how much there is in just a few words? I feel that way about the first verse of John chapter 13. Each phrase has so much meaning and brings such a blessing to the reader and scholar
Now before the Feast of the Passover, . . . This phrase gives us the context of the rest of the chapter. It’s when Jesus is in the upper room. This is the beginning of what theologians call the “Upper Room Discourse” which runs through chapter 17. This particular passage in chapter 13 runs through verse 20 and describes Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet. But that starts in verse 4. Look at the wealth before that story is related:
… when Jesus knew that his hour had come… Jesus had many ways to support His claims of being God’s Son: fulfilled prophecy, miracles, and foreknowledge as we see here. Jesus knew He was about to die and told this to His disciples in order to show them once more Who He was. He tells us this in verse 19 (ESV) I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.
A truly interesting point about verse 19 is the fact there is no Greek word at the end for “he.” The translators inserted the “he” there to improve the flow. Jesus said I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I Am. Of course, earlier in John (8:24, 58), Jesus proclaims Himself to be the God of the burning bush through the use of the divine name, I Am:
Ex. 3:13-14 (ESV) Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
Jesus took on the divine name of the I Am as God the Son to convince His disciples of exactly who He was, to make absolutely sure they understood.
… to depart out of this world to the Father … This is important in that Jesus, again, is satisfying any doubts the disciples may have had that he came from the Father and is returning there. This is clarified in verse 3:
John 13:3 (ESV) Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,
This, again, is proof Jesus is giving to show He is both the invisible Creator God (the I Am) and man (Jesus of Nazareth who stood before them physically)
… having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. And here is the gospel message in 15 words. God’s love for us is unending and unconditional. The phrase, “he loved them to the end” is John’s note that Jesus loved His disciples as long as His ministry on earth. God’s love for us all, of course, is never ending:
1 Chron. 16:34 (ESV) Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Why is this important?
I hope this encourages you in your personal Bible study. God’s Word is so rich and full. Look at what just one hour’s study on one verse can produce. As my pastor continually tells us (and rightfully so), we need to be scholars of God’s Word. It’s our duty as Christians:
2 Tim. 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
As our study increases, so does the richness of our fellowship with God and His church.
Believers Armed and Dangerous 