John 13:32

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

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}.

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

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

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

Context

John 13:32 is spoken by Jesus during the intimate setting of the Last Supper, immediately after Judas Iscariot has departed to betray Him. The preceding verses chronicle Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet, His prediction of His betrayal (John 13:21), and the identification of the betrayer. With Judas now gone, Jesus shifts from the dark shadow of betrayal to the profound purpose of His impending death and resurrection, marking a pivotal moment in His discourse. He speaks openly about His "glorification," which, paradoxically, refers to His crucifixion and subsequent resurrection—the ultimate act of obedience and love that would reveal God's redemptive plan.

Key Themes

  • Mutual Glorification of Father and Son: This verse highlights the deep, reciprocal relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son. Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection would glorify God by demonstrating His perfect love, justice, and power to save. In turn, God would glorify Jesus, exalting Him to His rightful place at the Father's right hand. This mutual glorification underscores the unity and shared purpose within the Trinity.
  • The Cross as Glorification: For Jesus, "glorification" here does not signify worldly triumph but the profound spiritual victory achieved through suffering and death. His ultimate act of humility and obedience on the cross (Philippians 2:8) is presented as the very means by which God's glory is most fully displayed. It's a central paradox of Christian faith: through apparent defeat, true triumph is achieved.
  • Immediacy and Certainty of Divine Action: The phrase "shall straightway glorify him" emphasizes the divine certainty and swiftness of God's plan for Jesus' exaltation after His suffering. Once the betrayal was set in motion, the path to the cross and resurrection, and thus to Jesus' glorification, was divinely assured and imminent.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "glorify" is doxazō (δοξάζω), which means 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. When applied to God, it means to reveal His majesty, power, and character. When applied to Jesus in this context, it means revealing His divine identity as the Son of God through His obedience and His redemptive work on the cross. The term "straightway" (Greek: euthys) underscores the immediate and certain nature of this divine process once the hour for Jesus' sacrifice had come.

Practical Application

John 13:32 offers profound insights for believers today:

  • God's Purpose in Suffering: This verse reminds us that even in moments of profound suffering or betrayal, God's ultimate purpose and glory can be revealed. Jesus' path to glorification went directly through the cross, teaching us that God can use our difficult circumstances to bring about His greater good and reveal His power.
  • The Power of Obedience: Jesus' unwavering obedience to the Father's will, even unto death, is the foundation of His glorification. This calls believers to pursue obedience, trusting that God honors those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30).
  • Divine Assurance: The certainty of God's "straightway" action provides assurance that God's plans are infallible and will be accomplished in His perfect timing. We can trust in His sovereignty, even when circumstances seem bleak.
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.

  • 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.

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