The Pulpit Commentary on 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

More for John 13:31-38

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

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on 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 the…Matthew Henry on John 13:31-35John 13:31-35 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryChrist had been glorified in many miracles he wrought, yet he speaks of his being glorified now in his sufferings, as if that were more than all his other glories in his humbled state. Satisfaction was thereby made for…Christ's Departure PredictedJohn 13:31-35 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleCHRIST'S DEPARTURE PREDICTED. This and what follows, to the end of John 13:31, 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…The Pulpit Commentary on John 13:31John 13:31 · The Pulpit CommentaryJohn 16:33.— 3. THE VALEDICTORY DISCOURSES OF THE LORD.The Pulpit Commentary on John 13:31-33John 13:31-33 · The Pulpit Commentary(1) The glorification of the Son of man, and of the Father in the Son. With John 13:31 the solemn valedictory discourse of our Lord commences—a veritable evangelium in evangelio, and by the aid of which we come more clo…

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 13:1-38EXPOSITION 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 the…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on John 13:31-35Christ had been glorified in many miracles he wrought, yet he speaks of his being glorified now in his sufferings, as if that were more than all his other glories in his humbled state. Satisfaction was thereby made for…Matthew Henry commentaryChrist's Departure PredictedCHRIST'S DEPARTURE PREDICTED. This and what follows, to the end of John 13:31, 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…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 13:31John 16:33.— 3. THE VALEDICTORY DISCOURSES OF THE LORD.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 13:31-33(1) The glorification of the Son of man, and of the Father in the Son. With John 13:31 the solemn valedictory discourse of our Lord commences—a veritable evangelium in evangelio, and by the aid of which we come more clo…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 13:33This is the first and only time, in the Gospels that the tender word, little children, is used by the Lord. The adoption of the gentle love-word is appropriate as a link to the new commandment, and reveals the love of d…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 13:34A new commandment I give unto you (with the purpose and scope) that ye love one another; even as (or, seeing that) I loved you, that ye (also) love one another. The interpretation of this verse largely depends on the me…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 13:35By (or, in) this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one toward another. Not by works of majesty and power, but by love to one another. All commentators refer to the well-known saying of St. Joh…Joseph S. Exell and contributors