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.

Now {G1161} before {G4253} the feast {G1859} of the passover {G3957}, when Jesus {G2424} knew {G1492} that {G3754} his {G846} hour {G5610} was come {G2064} that {G2443} he should depart {G3327} out of {G1537} this {G5127} world {G2889} unto {G4314} the Father {G3962}, having loved {G25} his own {G2398} which {G3588} were in {G1722} the world {G2889}, he loved {G25} them {G846} unto {G1519} the end {G5056}.

It was just before the festival of Pesach, and Yeshua knew that the time had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. Having loved his own people in the world, he loved them to the end.

It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end.

Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

John 13:1 opens the powerful narrative of Jesus' final hours with His disciples, setting the stage for the Last Supper, the washing of feet, and His farewell discourses. This verse provides crucial insight into Jesus' divine awareness, His ultimate purpose, and the profound depth of His love.

Context

The phrase "Now before the feast of the passover" places this event precisely at the threshold of the most significant Jewish festival, commemorating Israel's liberation from Egypt. It's the eve of His crucifixion, marking the culmination of His earthly ministry. Jesus' actions and words in the subsequent chapters (John 13-17) are framed by His full knowledge that "his hour was come." This was not an unexpected turn of events but the divinely appointed moment for His departure from this world to the Father, a theme He had alluded to throughout His ministry. For instance, in John 2:4 and John 7:30, His "hour" was not yet here, but now, as seen in John 12:23, it has arrived.

Key Themes

Divine Knowledge and Purpose

The verse highlights Jesus' complete awareness of His impending death and return to the Father. He "knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father." This underscores His sovereignty and intentionality; His death was not a tragic accident but the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. This divine knowledge also sets a tone of profound purpose for everything He does and says in these final moments.

Unwavering and Uttermost Love

The core message of John 13:1 is the unparalleled love of Jesus: "having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." This love is directed towards "his own" – His disciples, and by extension, all who believe in Him. It's a love that is:

  • Enduring: It persists through betrayal (Judas), denial (Peter), and abandonment (most disciples).
  • Sacrificial: It culminates in His ultimate act of self-giving on the cross, the greatest demonstration of love (John 15:13).
  • Unconditional: It is not based on their merit but on His divine nature.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "unto the end" translates the Greek eis telos (εἰς τέλος). This can be understood in two significant ways, both true and deeply meaningful:

  1. To the uttermost/to the fullest degree: Jesus' love for His disciples was complete, perfect, and ultimate. It was a love that held nothing back, demonstrating its depth in His actions, including the foot-washing in the following verses and His subsequent crucifixion.
  2. Until the very end: His love endured through His final moments, even through His suffering and death on the cross, demonstrating its faithfulness and permanence.

Both interpretations emphasize the boundless and steadfast nature of Jesus' love for His followers.

Significance and Application

John 13:1 serves as a powerful introduction to Jesus' final testament of love and service. It provides comfort and assurance that Jesus' love for His people is not temporary or conditional but eternal and complete. For believers, this verse is a foundational truth: Christ's love for us is enduring, even in our weaknesses and failures. It calls us to reflect this same profound love in our relationships with one another, especially through humble service, just as Jesus demonstrated by washing His disciples' feet in the verses that follow.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 12:23

    And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

  • John 13:34

    A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

  • 1 John 4:19

    We love him, because he first loved us.

  • John 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;

  • John 16:28

    I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

  • John 18:4

    Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

  • John 17:16

    They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

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