John 13
21Now Jesus was in great anguish of spirit, and he exclaimed, “The truth is, one of you will betray me!”
22 The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean. 23One of Jesus’ disciples, the one Jesus loved, was sitting next to Jesus at the table. 24Simon Peter motioned to him to ask who would do this terrible thing. 25Leaning toward Jesus, he asked, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus said, “It is the one to whom I give the bread dipped in the sauce.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry. Do it now.” 28None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. 29Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. 30So Judas left at once, going out into the night.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial ( _/Luke 22:31-38)
31As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for me, the Son of Man, to enter into my glory, and God will receive glory because of all that happens to me. 32And God will bring me into my glory very soon. 33Dear children, how brief are these moments before I must go away and leave you! Then, though you search for me, you cannot come to me—just as I told the Jewish leaders. 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
36Simon Peter said, “Lord, where are you going?”
And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.”
37 _ “But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I am ready to die for you.”
38Jesus answered, “Die for me? No, before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.
Judas was not the obvious betrayer. After all, he was the one the disciples trusted to keep the money (12:6; 13:29).
John 13:26
The honored guest at a meal was often singled out like this.
John 13:27
Satan’s part in the betrayal of Jesus does not remove any of the responsibility from Judas. Disillusioned because Jesus was talking about dying rather than setting up his Kingdom, Judas may have been trying to force Jesus’ hand and make him use his power to prove he was the Messiah. Or perhaps Judas, not understanding Jesus’ mission, no longer believed Jesus was God’s chosen one. Whatever Judas thought, Satan assumed that Jesus’ death would end his mission and thwart God’s plan. Like Judas, Satan did not know that Jesus’ death was the most important part of God’s plan all along.
Cross References:
John 13:27—Luke 22:3; John 13:2
John 13:27-38
John describes these few moments in clear detail. We can see that Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen. He knew about Judas and about Peter, but he did not change the situation, nor did he stop loving them. In the same way, Jesus knows exactly what you will do to hurt him. Yet he still loves you unconditionally and will forgive you whenever you ask him. Judas couldn’t understand this, and his life ended tragically. Peter understood, and despite his shortcomings, his life ended triumphantly because he never let go of his faith in the one who loved him.
John 13:29—John 12:6
John 13:30—Luke 22:53
John 13:31-32—John 12:23; 17:1, 5
John 13:33—John 7:33-34; 8:21
John 13:36-38—This passage parallels Matthew 26:33-35; Mark 14:29-31; Luke 22:33-34
John 13:36—John 21:18; 2 Peter 1:14
John 13:34
To love others was not a new commandment (see Leviticus 19:18), but to love others as much as Christ loved others was revolutionary. Now we are to love others based on Jesus’ sacrificial love for us. Such love will not only bring unbelievers to Christ; it will also keep believers strong and united in a world hostile to God. Jesus was a living example of God’s love, as we are to be living examples of Jesus’ love.
Cross References:
John 13:34—Leviticus 19:18; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 2:8; 3:23; 4:10-11
John 13:34, 35
Jesus says that our Christlike love will show we are his disciples. Do people see petty bickering, jealousy, and division in your church? Or do they know you are Jesus’ followers by your love for one another?
Cross References:
John 13:35—1 John 3:14; 4:20
John 13:35
Love is more than simply warm feelings; it is an attitude that reveals itself in action. How can we love others as Jesus loves us? By helping when it’s not convenient, by giving when it hurts, by devoting energy to others’ welfare rather than our own, by absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back. This kind of loving is hard to do. That is why people notice when you do it and know you are empowered by a supernatural source. The Bible has another beautiful description of love in 1 Corinthians 13.
John 13:37, 38
Peter proudly told Jesus that he was ready to die for him. But Jesus corrected him. He knew Peter would deny that he knew Jesus that very night to protect himself (18:15-18, 25-27). In our enthusiasm, it is easy to make promises, but God knows the extent of our commitment. Paul tells us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought (Romans 12:3). Instead of bragging, demonstrate your commitment step by step as you grow in your knowledge of God’s Word and in your faith.