John 13:3

KJV

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

KJV (with Strong's)

Jesus {G2424} knowing {G1492} that {G3754} the Father {G3962} had given {G1325} all things {G3956} into {G1519} his {G846} hands {G5495}, and {G2532} that {G3754} he was come {G1831} from {G575} God {G2316}, and {G2532} went {G5217} to {G4314} God {G2316};

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua was aware that the Father had put everything in his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God.

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus knew that the Father had delivered all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God.

American Standard Version

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto God,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 13:3 offers a profound glimpse into the divine consciousness and secure identity of Jesus Christ just moments before He performs the deeply symbolic act of washing His disciples' feet. This verse underscores that Jesus' subsequent humility and service were not born of ignorance or weakness, but from a complete and settled awareness of His supreme authority, His divine origin, and His ultimate destiny, making His act of self-abasement all the more extraordinary and meaningful.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at the very beginning of Jesus' "farewell discourse" (John 13-17), a pivotal section of John's Gospel that records Jesus' final teachings and prayers with His disciples before His crucifixion. It immediately precedes the account of Jesus washing the disciples' feet (John 13:4-11), an act that serves as a living parable of servant leadership and selfless love. The profound statement of Jesus' divine awareness in [John 13:3](/john/13-3 "John 13:3 - Jesus' Divine Awareness") provides the theological foundation for understanding the radical nature of His humility. It highlights that His act of service was not an act of a mere man, but of the Son of God, who, despite possessing all authority, chose to humble Himself. This deliberate framing emphasizes the intentionality and significance of every action Jesus takes in these final hours.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern culture, foot washing was a common practice due to dusty roads and open sandals. It was typically performed by the lowest-ranking servant in a household, or by a wife or child for a guest as a sign of hospitality. For a master or teacher to perform such a menial task for his disciples was an astonishing reversal of social norms and expectations. This act was deeply counter-cultural, challenging the prevailing notions of status and honor. The setting is the Last Supper, likely a Passover meal, which carried immense historical and religious significance for the Jewish people, commemorating their liberation from slavery in Egypt. Within this sacred context, Jesus redefines leadership not through power and dominance, but through humble service, setting a new paradigm for His followers.
* **Key Themes:** [John 13:3](/john/13-3 "John 13:3 - Jesus' Divine Awareness") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it reinforces Jesus' **Divine Authority and Sovereignty**, echoing passages like [John 5:19-27](/john/5-19-27 "John 5:19-27 - The Authority of the Son") where Jesus speaks of the Father giving Him authority. The phrase "the Father had given all things into his hands" signifies absolute control over creation, redemption, and judgment, portraying Jesus as the sovereign Lord. Secondly, it emphasizes Jesus' **Divine Origin and Destiny**, succinctly stating "he was come from God, and went to God." This affirms His pre-existence with the Father (as seen in [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God")) and His ultimate return to divine glory ([John 16:28](/john/16-28 "John 16:28 - Jesus' Return to the Father")). This theological truth undergirds His entire mission. Finally, the verse sets the stage for the theme of **Intentional Humility**. It reveals that Jesus' profound act of service in washing feet was not a display of weakness, but a deliberate choice made from a position of ultimate strength and secure identity, demonstrating that true greatness in God's kingdom is found in humble service.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **knowing (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb signifies a deep, intuitive, and settled understanding, rather than merely intellectual or superficial awareness. It implies a complete and unshakeable grasp of reality, an inherent and perfect knowledge. For Jesus, this "knowing" indicates His divine omniscience and His full comprehension of His identity, mission, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, including His impending suffering and return to glory. It underscores that His actions were purposeful and fully informed by divine insight.
* **given (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This word, used in the perfect tense, indicates a completed action with ongoing results. It highlights the Father's active role in delegating supreme authority and power to the Son. The "giving" is not a temporary loan but a permanent investiture of all things into Jesus' hands, signifying His sovereign control over all creation, all events, and all aspects of salvation history. This divine bestowal of authority is foundational to Jesus' ability to accomplish His mission.
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** This term refers to the supreme Divinity, emphasizing Jesus' unique and eternal relationship with the Father. The repetition of "from God" and "to God" underscores Jesus' divine nature, His pre-existence, His incarnation as the Son sent by the Father, and His ultimate return to the Father's presence in glory. It affirms His co-equality and intimate communion with the Godhead, providing the ultimate theological context for His earthly ministry and His role as the divine mediator.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus knowing":** This opening phrase immediately establishes Jesus' perfect and comprehensive awareness. It is not a casual observation but a profound, divinely informed understanding of His own identity, authority, and destiny. This knowledge is crucial for appreciating the intentionality of His subsequent actions.
* **"that the Father had given all things into his hands":** This clause reveals the scope of Jesus' authority. "All things" (pâs) signifies absolute, universal dominion over creation, humanity, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The idiom "into his hands" (eis cheír) denotes complete delegation of power, control, and responsibility. Jesus' authority is not self-assumed but divinely bestowed by the Father, affirming His unique role as the Son.
* **"and that he was come from God":** This phrase asserts Jesus' divine origin and pre-existence. He did not merely begin His existence at birth but "came forth" (exérchomai) from the very presence and being of God. This affirms His divine nature and His unique relationship as the Son who was with the Father before the foundation of the world, sent into the world for a specific redemptive purpose.
* **"and went to God":** This final clause speaks to Jesus' ultimate destiny and the completion of His earthly mission. It anticipates His return to the Father's glory through His death, resurrection, and ascension. This journey "to God" signifies His triumph over sin and death, and His re-assumption of His rightful place at the Father's right hand, where He continues His intercessory work.

#### Literary Devices
John 13:3 employs several powerful **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Contrast**, setting up the stark difference between Jesus' supreme divine authority and His impending act of humble service. This juxtaposition highlights the radical nature of His love and self-abasement. The phrase "come from God, and went to God" is an example of **Parallelism** and potentially a subtle **Chiasm** (A-B-B'-A' structure, though simpler here as A-B and A'-B' for origin and destiny). This structure emphasizes the completeness of His divine journey. The expression "given all things into his hands" is a powerful **Idiom**, conveying total delegated authority and control in a culturally resonant way. Furthermore, the verse serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at Jesus' impending return to the Father, which will be fully realized through His resurrection and ascension.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 13:3 is a profound theological statement that undergirds the entire narrative of Christ's ministry and passion. It asserts Jesus' divine nature, His unique relationship with the Father, and His absolute authority, which is not seized but graciously bestowed. This verse establishes that Jesus' humility was not a sign of weakness or a lack of power, but rather a deliberate, sovereign act of love and obedience from a position of ultimate strength and security. This understanding transforms the meaning of His subsequent foot washing, revealing it as the ultimate demonstration of divine love and servant leadership. It portrays Jesus as the one who, fully aware of His glorious pre-existence and glorious future, willingly emptied Himself for the sake of humanity, setting the pattern for all who would follow Him.

* [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")
* [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")
* [John 17:5](/john/17-5 "John 17:5 - Jesus' Prayer for Glorification")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 13:3 offers a deeply challenging and inspiring model for believers. It reveals that true humility is not born from insecurity or a lack of ability, but from a secure identity and a profound understanding of one's purpose and position in God's kingdom. Jesus, knowing His supreme authority and divine origin, chose to serve in the most demeaning way. This calls us to reflect on our own understanding of identity and service. Do we allow our understanding of who we are in Christ to empower us for humble service, or does it lead to pride or self-preservation? When we grasp that "all things" are ultimately in God's hands, and that our lives are part of His sovereign plan, it frees us from the need to grasp for power or recognition. Instead, we are enabled to serve others with genuine love and selflessness, knowing that our worth and security come from God alone, not from our status or accomplishments. Our service, like Christ's, should be purposeful, flowing from a deep awareness of God's call and our identity as His beloved children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' complete "knowing" of His divine authority and origin impact your understanding of His humility in washing the disciples' feet?**
* **In what ways might a secure identity in Christ empower you to serve others, even in seemingly undignified or overlooked ways?**
* **How does the truth that "the Father had given all things into his hands" provide comfort or challenge in your own life?**
* **Considering Jesus' journey "from God, and went to God," how does your understanding of your own origin and destiny in Christ influence your daily actions and priorities?**

### FAQ
**Why is Jesus' "knowing" so significant in this verse?**

Answer: Jesus' "knowing" (Greek: _eídō_) is profoundly significant because it highlights that His subsequent act of humble service was not done out of ignorance, weakness, or obligation, but out of a complete and perfect awareness of His divine identity, supreme authority, and ultimate destiny. He fully understood that He was God incarnate, that all power had been given to Him by the Father, and that He would soon return to glory. This makes His choice to perform the lowest servant's task an act of intentional, sovereign humility, demonstrating the depth of His love and setting an unparalleled example of servant leadership for His followers. It underscores that His humility was an expression of His divine strength, not a lack thereof.

**What does "the Father had given all things into his hands" imply about Jesus' authority?**

Answer: This phrase signifies Jesus' absolute and universal authority. "All things" (Greek: _pâs_) encompasses everything – creation, redemption, judgment, and the unfolding of God's plan. The idiom "into his hands" denotes complete control, power, and delegation. It implies that Jesus possesses comprehensive dominion over all aspects of existence and salvation. This authority is not self-proclaimed but divinely bestowed by the Father, affirming Jesus' unique role as the Son and the executor of God's will. It means that Jesus operates with the full backing and power of the Godhead, and His actions are fully aligned with the Father's purposes, as seen in [John 5:19-27](/john/5-19-27 "John 5:19-27 - The Authority of the Son").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 13:3 finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in the entire redemptive narrative of Jesus, particularly in His journey from pre-existence with the Father, through His incarnation, atoning death, resurrection, and ascension, all undertaken for the salvation of humanity. The profound truth that Jesus "was come from God, and went to God" encapsulates the divine condescension of the Son, who, despite possessing all authority and glory, willingly "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant" as described in [Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Self-Emptying"). His "knowing" that "the Father had given all things into his hands" did not lead to self-exaltation but paradoxically empowered Him for the ultimate act of service on the cross, where He laid down His life as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His return "to God" signifies His triumphant ascension, where He now reigns at the Father's right hand, exercising His given authority as Lord of all ([Acts 2:33-36](/acts/2-33-36 "Acts 2:33-36 - Jesus Exalted as Lord and Christ")). Thus, John 13:3 is not merely a statement about Jesus' self-awareness, but a foundational truth that illuminates the divine intentionality behind every step of His redemptive mission, culminating in His glorious return to the Father and His ongoing reign as King.

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

John 3:35

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

Matthew 11:27

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and [he] to whomsoever the Son will reveal [him].

Hebrews 1:2

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

John 17:2

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Matthew 28:18

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

John 8:42

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

John 16:27

For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.