John 13:32

KJV

If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

KJV (with Strong's)

If {G1487} God {G2316} be glorified {G1392} in {G1722} him {G846}, God {G2316} shall {G1392} also {G2532} glorify {G1392} him {G846} in {G1722} himself {G1438}, and {G2532} shall {G1392} straightway {G2117} glorify {G1392} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If the Son has glorified God, God will himself glorify the Son, and will do so without delay.

Berean Standard Bible

If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify the Son in Himself—and will glorify Him at once.

American Standard Version

and God shall glorify him in himself, and straightway shall he glorify him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 13:32 captures a profound statement from Jesus during the Last Supper, immediately following the departure of Judas. It reveals the intricate relationship between the Father and the Son in the divine plan of redemption. Jesus declares that if God is glorified through His impending suffering and death, then God the Father will, in turn, glorify the Son in Himself, and this glorification will happen swiftly and certainly. This verse encapsulates the paradoxical truth that Christ's ultimate exaltation is intrinsically linked to His deepest humiliation, revealing the Father's glory and the Son's obedient love.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jesus' farewell discourse to His disciples, a deeply intimate and revelatory section of John's Gospel (chapters 13-17). It immediately follows the dramatic departure of Judas Iscariot, who has gone to betray Jesus. Prior to this, Jesus had washed the disciples' feet, a powerful lesson in humble service, and had predicted His betrayal, identifying Judas as the one who would hand Him over. With Judas now gone, the shadow of betrayal gives way to the light of divine purpose. Jesus' statement about glorification marks a pivotal shift from the immediate sorrow of betrayal to the profound theological significance of His imminent passion, death, and resurrection. This moment signifies the "hour" that Jesus had often referred to, the moment for which He had come, where God's ultimate redemptive plan would unfold.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Passover meal, a foundational Jewish observance commemorating Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This context imbues Jesus' words with deep symbolic meaning, as He prepares to become the ultimate Passover Lamb. The concept of "glory" (Hebrew: _kavod_; Greek: _doxa_) was deeply embedded in Jewish thought, often associated with God's manifest presence (the Shekinah glory), power, and honor. For Jesus to speak of His glorification through suffering would have been counter-intuitive to the disciples' messianic expectations of a conquering king. Culturally, suffering was often seen as a sign of divine disfavor, making Jesus' redefinition of glory through the cross a radical paradigm shift. His discourse takes place in an upper room in Jerusalem, a city steeped in religious and political tension, where the stage was set for the climactic events of Holy Week.
* **Key Themes:** John 13:32 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **mutual glorification of the Father and the Son**, a central tenet of Trinitarian theology. Jesus' obedience unto death reveals the Father's character and redemptive purpose, and in turn, the Father exalts the Son, demonstrating His divine authority and identity. This reciprocal glorification is a testament to their unity and shared mission, as seen in Jesus' high priestly prayer in [John 17:1-5](/john/17-1-5 "John 17:1-5 - Jesus Prays for Glorification"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **paradoxical nature of the cross as glorification**. For Jesus, true glory is not found in worldly power or triumph, but in the ultimate act of self-sacrificial love and obedience on the cross. This redefines glory, presenting it as the ultimate display of God's love and justice, a theme echoed in [Philippians 2:5-11](/philippians/2-5-11 "Philippians 2:5-11 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation"). Thirdly, the phrase "shall straightway glorify him" emphasizes the **immediacy and certainty of God's divine plan**. Once the betrayal was set in motion, the path to the cross, resurrection, and subsequent exaltation of Jesus was divinely assured and imminent, demonstrating God's sovereign control over even the darkest events, leading to a glorious outcome.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **glorified (Greek, _doxázō_):** From _doxa_, meaning "glory." To render or esteem glorious; to praise, honor, or cause to have a high reputation. More profoundly, it means to reveal the true nature or inherent worth of someone or something. In this context, it signifies the revelation of God's majesty, power, and character through Jesus' work, and conversely, the revelation of Jesus' divine identity as the Son of God through His obedience and redemptive act.
* **himself (Greek, _heautoû_):** A reflexive pronoun meaning "himself," "herself," "itself," etc. Here, in the phrase "in himself," it emphasizes that the Father's act of glorifying the Son is an internal, self-referential act within the Godhead, reflecting the Father's own nature and will. It highlights the divine initiative and the intimate relationship between the Father and the Son.
* **straightway (Greek, _euthýs_):** Meaning "straight," "level," or "true." Adverbially, it means "at once," "forthwith," "immediately." This word underscores the divine certainty and swiftness of God's action. Once Jesus' "hour" had come with Judas' departure, the events leading to His glorification—the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension—would unfold without delay, according to God's precise timing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If God be glorified in him,"**: This opening clause sets the condition for the subsequent divine action. The "him" refers to Jesus. Jesus' impending suffering, death, and resurrection are presented as the means by which God the Father's character, power, and redemptive plan will be fully revealed and honored. It implies that Jesus' obedience and sacrifice are not merely human acts but are divinely purposed to bring the greatest possible glory to God.
* **"God shall also glorify him in himself,"**: This clause declares the reciprocal action of the Father. Because Jesus has glorified God through His obedience unto death, God the Father will, in turn, glorify Jesus. The phrase "in himself" is crucial, indicating that the Father's glorification of the Son is an act originating from within the Father's own divine being and nature, an internal divine decree and action that elevates the Son to His rightful place of honor and authority.
* **"and shall straightway glorify him."**: This final clause emphasizes the certainty and immediacy of the Father's glorification of the Son. The "straightway" (Greek _euthýs_) signifies that once the condition of Jesus' glorification of the Father is met through the cross, the Father's exaltation of the Son will follow without delay. This refers to the entire sequence of events from resurrection to ascension and enthronement at the Father's right hand, all divinely orchestrated and swiftly executed.

#### Literary Devices
John 13:32 employs several powerful literary devices. **Paradox** is central, as Jesus speaks of "glorification" not in terms of worldly triumph but through the path of suffering and death. This challenges conventional understanding of honor and success, presenting the cross as the ultimate display of divine glory and love. The **Repetition** of the word "glorify" (doxázō) three times within the short verse emphasizes the central theme and the reciprocal nature of the glorification between the Father and the Son. This repetition underscores the divine purpose and the profound significance of the events about to unfold. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, pointing directly to the imminent events of the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, which are presented not as tragic ends but as the very means by which God's ultimate purpose is achieved and Christ's glory is revealed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 13:32 profoundly articulates the Trinitarian dynamic at the heart of salvation history. It reveals that the Father's glory is intrinsically linked to the Son's obedient sacrifice, and the Son's exaltation is a direct response from the Father, demonstrating their perfect unity and shared purpose in redemption. This mutual glorification underscores the divine necessity of Christ's suffering, not as a defeat, but as the ultimate victory that unveils God's character of love, justice, and power. The "straightway" aspect points to God's sovereign control over time and events, ensuring that His redemptive plan unfolds precisely as purposed, culminating in Christ's triumphant exaltation. This theological truth assures believers that even in the darkest moments, God is at work, bringing about His glorious purposes through seemingly paradoxical means.

* [Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8-9 "Philippians 2:8-9 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")
* [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Faith")
* [John 17:4-5](/john/17-4-5 "John 17:4-5 - Jesus Prays for His Own Glorification")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 13:32 offers profound spiritual nourishment for believers, revealing that God's glory is often most brilliantly displayed not in comfort or worldly success, but through the crucible of suffering and obedience. Jesus' journey to glorification passed directly through the cross, teaching us that our own paths to spiritual maturity and usefulness for God's kingdom may also involve hardship and self-denial. This verse challenges us to reframe our understanding of "glory," moving beyond superficial notions to embrace the deeper, transformative work God accomplishes through our faithful endurance and obedience, even when circumstances are painful or difficult. It calls us to trust in God's perfect timing and sovereign plan, knowing that He will "straightway" bring about His purposes, even if that immediacy feels like a long wait to us. Our obedience, even in the face of betrayal or suffering, can become a conduit for God's glory, and in turn, He will honor and exalt us according to His divine will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' path to glorification through suffering challenge your own understanding of what it means to be "glorified" or successful in life?**
* **In what ways can your obedience, even in difficult circumstances, bring glory to God?**
* **How does the "straightway" aspect of God's glorification of Jesus strengthen your trust in God's timing and sovereignty, especially when facing uncertainties?**
* **What specific areas of your life might God be calling you to embrace a "cross-like" humility for His greater glory?**

### FAQ

**What does "If God be glorified in him" mean in the context of John 13:32?**

Answer: This phrase refers to the condition or prerequisite for the subsequent divine action. "Him" refers to Jesus. It means that if Jesus, through His impending suffering, death, and resurrection, brings honor, recognition, and full revelation of God the Father's character, power, and redemptive plan, then the Father will respond by glorifying the Son. Jesus' ultimate act of obedience and sacrifice on the cross is the means by which God's perfect love, justice, and power to save humanity are most fully displayed, thereby bringing the greatest possible glory to God. It is a statement of divine purpose and reciprocity, where the Son's self-giving love perfectly reflects and reveals the Father's glory.

**Why does Jesus say God "shall straightway glorify him"? What is the significance of "straightway"?**

Answer: The word "straightway" (Greek _euthýs_) signifies immediacy, certainty, and swiftness. Its significance here is twofold. First, it underscores the divine certainty of God's plan. Once Judas departed to initiate the betrayal, Jesus' "hour" had truly come, and the sequence of events leading to His glorification—His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension to the Father's right hand—was divinely assured and would unfold without delay. Second, it highlights the divine response to Jesus' glorification of the Father. As soon as Jesus accomplished His mission on the cross, the Father would immediately exalt Him. This isn't about a human timeline but God's perfect, decisive timing, signifying the rapid and inevitable progression of events from the cross to the empty tomb and then to the throne, as seen in [Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - Peter's Sermon on Pentecost").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 13:32 stands as a pivotal declaration of Christ's mission and the divine economy of salvation. It is profoundly Christ-centered, revealing that the ultimate purpose of Jesus' earthly ministry, culminating in His death, was the glorification of God the Father. In turn, the Father's immediate response was to glorify the Son, exalting Him to the highest place. This glorification is not merely an abstract concept but is concretely fulfilled in Christ's resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, and His enthronement at the right hand of God, as foretold in [Psalm 110:1](/psalms/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord's Anointed King"). Jesus' words here foreshadow His High Priestly Prayer in [John 17:1](/john/17-1 "John 17:1 - Jesus Prays for Himself"), where He explicitly prays, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you." The fulfillment of this verse is the very foundation of the Christian faith: through Christ's suffering and death, God's love and justice were perfectly displayed, and through His resurrection and exaltation, He was declared to be the Son of God in power, establishing His eternal reign and securing salvation for all who believe. His glorification ensures that He is able to send the Holy Spirit, as promised in [John 16:7](/john/16-7 "John 16:7 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit"), and to intercede for His people, as described in [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession"). Thus, Christ's glorification is not merely for His own sake but is the means by which God's redemptive plan is fully realized and extended to humanity.

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 53:10

¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Revelation 22:1

¶ And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

John 17:1

¶ These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

Revelation 22:3

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

John 12:23

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

John 17:21

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.