John 13:19

KJV

Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am [he].

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G575}{G737} I tell {G3004} you {G5213} before {G4253} it come {G1096}, that {G2443}, when {G3752} it is come to pass {G1096}, ye may believe {G4100} that {G3754} I {G1473} am {G1510} he.

Complete Jewish Bible

I’m telling you now, before it happens; so that when it does happen, you may believe that I AM [who I say I am].

Berean Standard Bible

I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it comes to pass, you will believe that I am He.

American Standard Version

From henceforth I tell you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 13:19, during the intimate setting of the Last Supper, Jesus reveals His divine foreknowledge to His disciples by predicting His impending betrayal. His purpose in disclosing this difficult truth beforehand is not to prevent the event, but to solidify their faith in His true identity as the Son of God and the promised Messiah when these prophecies inevitably come to pass. This statement profoundly underscores Jesus' sovereignty over all events, even the darkest acts of human treachery, and serves as a foundational declaration of His divine "I AM" nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the deeply poignant and significant discourse of Jesus with His disciples during the Last Supper, as recorded in [John 13](/john/13 "John 13 - The Last Supper and Foot Washing"). Immediately prior, Jesus has demonstrated profound humility by washing His disciples' feet, a shocking act that foreshadows His ultimate self-sacrificial service. Following this, He troubled in spirit, declares that one of them will betray Him ([John 13:21](/john/13-21 "John 13:21 - Jesus Predicts His Betrayal")). The disciples are understandably perplexed and distressed, looking at one another, uncertain of whom He speaks ([John 13:22](/john/13-22 "John 13:22 - Disciples' Confusion")). It is into this atmosphere of confusion, sorrow, and impending crisis that Jesus utters the words of [John 13:19](/john/13-19 "John 13:19 - Jesus' Foreknowledge and 'I AM' Statement"), providing a divine anchor for their faith amidst the coming storm of His arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Last Supper takes place within the framework of the Jewish Passover, a meal rich with symbolic meaning commemorating Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The act of sharing a meal, especially the Passover, signified deep covenantal fellowship and trust. For one of the twelve, an intimate companion, to betray the host was an act of profound treachery, violating sacred cultural norms of hospitality and loyalty. The phrase "I am [he]" (Greek: _ego eimi_) carries immense historical and theological weight within Jewish tradition. It directly echoes God's self-revelation to Moses at the burning bush in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God's Name 'I AM THAT I AM'"), where God identifies Himself as "I AM THAT I AM." For Jesus to use this phrase is a direct claim to divine identity, a claim that would have been understood by His Jewish audience as nothing less than an assertion of deity, often considered blasphemous by His opponents.
* **Key Themes:** [John 13:19](/john/13-19 "John 13:19 - Jesus' Foreknowledge and 'I AM' Statement") contributes significantly to several major themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Foreknowledge and Sovereignty**, demonstrating that Jesus is not a victim of circumstances but is fully aware of and in control of all events, even His betrayal and death. This theme is consistent with the portrayal of Jesus throughout John as the sovereign Son of God, who lays down His life of His own accord ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life Willingly")). Secondly, the verse powerfully underscores **Jesus' Deity**, particularly through the "I AM" declaration. This is one of several explicit "I AM" statements in John's Gospel (e.g., [John 8:58](/john/8-58 "John 8:58 - Before Abraham Was, I Am")), each asserting His unique, divine nature and oneness with the Father. Thirdly, the verse reveals Jesus' pastoral heart and His concern for **Strengthening the Disciples' Faith**. By revealing events beforehand, Jesus provides a future anchor, ensuring that when the difficult events unfold, their faith will not be shattered but rather confirmed in His divine authority and truthfulness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **tell (Greek, _légō'_):** This verb signifies a systematic or set discourse, indicating Jesus' deliberate and authoritative pronouncement. It's not a casual remark but a weighty declaration, emphasizing the importance and certainty of what He is about to reveal. The use of _légō_ here highlights Jesus' role as the divine revealer of truth.
* **come (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This versatile verb means "to come into being," "to happen," or "to come to pass." Its repetition ("before it come," "when it is come to pass") underscores the absolute certainty and inevitability of the predicted event (the betrayal and subsequent events of the passion). Jesus is not merely speculating; He is declaring what will definitively occur, demonstrating His perfect knowledge of future events.
* **am (Greek, _eimí'_):** As the first person singular present indicative of "to be," this verb, when combined with the emphatic "I" (Greek: _egṓ_), forms the profound phrase "I am" (_egṓ eimí_). In this context, it is far more than a simple statement of existence. It is a direct echo of God's self-revelation to Moses in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God's Name 'I AM THAT I AM'"), identifying Jesus with the eternal, self-existent God of Israel. The KJV's addition of "[he]" in italics clarifies the implication that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, but the underlying Greek carries the full weight of His divine identity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now I tell you before it come":** Jesus initiates a solemn and prophetic declaration. The timing ("Now...before it come") is crucial, emphasizing His foreknowledge and intentional revelation. He is not reacting to events but proactively disclosing them, demonstrating His divine sovereignty over time and circumstance. This pre-disclosure serves a specific, redemptive purpose for His disciples.
* **"that, when it is come to pass":** This clause highlights the certainty of the predicted event's fulfillment. The Greek conjunction _hína_ ("in order that") introduces a purpose clause. The "it" refers to the entire sequence of events surrounding His betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion, and ultimately, His resurrection. Jesus guarantees that these things will indeed "come to pass," leaving no room for doubt regarding their inevitability or His prophetic accuracy.
* **"ye may believe that I am [he].":** This is the ultimate purpose of Jesus' foretelling. The phrase "I am [he]" (Greek: _egṓ eimí_) is the climactic assertion of His divine identity. The KJV's italicized "[he]" clarifies that the disciples are to believe He is the Messiah, the Christ, but the underlying Greek carries the full weight of His deity. When they witness the fulfillment of His words, particularly His resurrection after the betrayal and death, their faith in His divine nature and messianic claims will be irrevocably confirmed and strengthened, preventing them from stumbling in unbelief.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is central, as Jesus explicitly predicts future events (His betrayal and passion) to His disciples. This not only prepares them for the shock but also serves as a divine authentication of His words. The phrase "I am [he]" functions as a profound instance of **Divine Disclosure**, echoing the sacred name of God from the Old Testament and asserting Jesus' inherent deity. This is a deliberate **Allusion** to [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God's Name 'I AM THAT I AM'"), underscoring Jesus' identity as Yahweh. Furthermore, the structure of the verse itself forms a **Purpose Clause** ("that...ye may believe"), clearly articulating the reason behind Jesus' revelation. This highlights His pastoral intent: to solidify the faith of His followers in the face of impending trials, turning potential stumbling blocks into foundations for deeper belief.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 13:19 stands as a profound theological statement affirming Jesus' divine nature and His sovereign control over history. It teaches us that God's foreknowledge is not merely a passive awareness of future events but an active, purposeful declaration that serves to confirm His identity and strengthen the faith of His people. Jesus, as the incarnate Son, possesses this same divine attribute, demonstrating that even the most heinous acts of human sin (like Judas's betrayal) fall within the scope of God's overarching plan for redemption. His willingness to reveal these truths beforehand showcases His deep love and care for His disciples, ensuring that their faith would be anchored not in the unfolding chaos, but in the unchanging truth of who He is. This verse provides immense comfort, reminding believers that nothing takes God by surprise, and His ultimate purposes will always prevail.

* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [John 8:58](/john/8-58 "John 8:58 - Before Abraham Was, I Am")
* [John 20:31](/john/20-31 "John 20:31 - Purpose of John's Gospel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 13:19 offers immense comfort and a profound challenge for contemporary believers. In a world often characterized by uncertainty, chaos, and unexpected trials, Jesus' words remind us that our Lord is never caught off guard. He knows the end from the beginning, and even the most painful or perplexing events are not outside of His sovereign plan. This truth should cultivate a deep sense of peace and trust, knowing that our faith is not built on shifting sands but on the unshakeable foundation of a God who is fully in control and whose words are utterly reliable. When we face betrayals, disappointments, or unforeseen difficulties, we can recall that Jesus foretold His own suffering, not to avoid it, but to ensure His disciples' faith would be strengthened through it. Our trials, too, can become opportunities to see God's hand at work, deepening our conviction that Jesus truly is the "I AM," worthy of our complete trust and devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' foreknowledge of His betrayal strengthen your faith in His sovereignty over your own life's challenges?**
* **In what ways does the "I AM" declaration in this verse deepen your understanding of Jesus' divine identity?**
* **When you face unexpected difficulties, how can remembering Jesus' purpose in revealing future events (to strengthen faith) help you respond?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus tell His disciples about the betrayal beforehand?**

Answer: Jesus told His disciples about the betrayal beforehand for a specific, twofold purpose: to demonstrate His divine foreknowledge and sovereignty, and crucially, to strengthen their faith. He knew the shocking events of His arrest, trial, and crucifixion would be deeply unsettling and potentially faith-shattering for His followers. By revealing these truths in advance, He ensured that when they came to pass, the disciples would not view them as unexpected tragedies that undermined Jesus' authority, but rather as the fulfillment of His prophetic word. This fulfillment would then serve as irrefutable proof of His divine identity and messianic claims, solidifying their belief that He truly is the "I AM." This is consistent with Jesus' broader ministry, where He often spoke in parables or made predictions to prepare His followers for future realities, as seen in His predictions about the destruction of the temple in [Matthew 24:1-2](/matthew/24-1-2 "Matthew 24:1-2 - Jesus Predicts the Temple's Destruction").

**What is the significance of the phrase "I am [he]" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "I am [he]" is a profound declaration of Jesus' divine identity. In the original Greek, it is simply _egṓ eimí_ (ἐγώ εἰμί), which translates literally to "I am." The KJV's addition of "[he]" (italicized) clarifies the implied meaning that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. However, the direct "I AM" carries immense theological weight, directly echoing God's self-revelation to Moses in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God's Name 'I AM THAT I AM'"), where God identifies Himself as "I AM THAT I AM." By using this phrase, Jesus is asserting His eternal, self-existent nature and His oneness with God the Father. This is one of several "I AM" statements in John's Gospel (e.g., [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - I Am the Bread of Life"), [John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - I Am the Door"), [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - I Am the Resurrection and the Life")), each revealing a different aspect of His divine character and saving work. In [John 13:19](/john/13-19 "John 13:19 - Jesus' Foreknowledge and 'I AM' Statement"), it serves as a foundational truth upon which the disciples' faith is to be built, even amidst the chaos of His passion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 13:19 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of divine foreknowledge and the very "I AM" of God revealed in flesh. The "it come to pass" refers to the culmination of Jesus' redemptive mission: His betrayal, crucifixion, death, and glorious resurrection. These events, though seemingly tragic, were not random occurrences but the sovereignly ordained plan of God, known and declared by Christ before the foundation of the world. Jesus, the eternal Son, willingly entered into human history, fully aware of the suffering and rejection He would face, including the betrayal by one of His own. His foretelling of these events, particularly the phrase "ye may believe that I am [he]," points directly to His resurrection as the irrefutable proof of His divine identity and the validation of His claims. As [Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection") states, He was "declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." The fulfillment of His prophecies, especially His triumph over death, confirms that He is indeed the Christ, the Son of the living God, the one in whom "all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of God in Christ")). Therefore, our faith is not in a fallible prophet, but in the "I AM" who controls all history, whose death and resurrection are the ultimate demonstration of His power and love, and the very foundation of our salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 43:10

Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I [am] he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

John 14:29

And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

Revelation 1:17

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Revelation 1:18

[I am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

John 16:4

But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

Isaiah 48:5

I have even from the beginning declared [it] to thee; before it came to pass I shewed [it] thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.

John 8:23

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.