‏ John 13:31-38

Summary for John 13:31: 13:31–17:26  ^a The Old Testament and later Jewish literature include numerous examples of farewells in which a dying person offers last words to intimate friends (see Gen 49:1-27  ^b; Deut 31–34  ^c; Josh 23–24  ^d; 1 Sam 12  ^e; 1 Chr 28:1–29:30  ^f). Such farewells used a standard form. The dying person, surrounded by his loved ones, comforted them and exhorted them to obey the law. He prayed and blessed them and often left behind some writings. In some cases, the departing person passed on his “spirit” to his followers or his successor (see Num 27:18  ^g; Deut 34:9  ^h; 2 Kgs 2:9-14  ⁱ). Each of these elements is present in Jesus’ farewell.

• This section is often called the Upper Room Discourse, since the meal was taken in an “upstairs room” (Luke 22:39  ^j). 13:31  ^k The time has come: Judas’s departure into the night marks a solemn divide in the plot of the Gospel. Jesus was left with his intimate friends as the hour of glory was dawning. This time was launched by Judas’s betrayal, and it culminated in the resurrection.
13:33  ^l Jesus addressed the apostles as his children, marking the start of his farewell address.
Summary for John 13:34-35: 13:34-35  ^m That the disciples were to love one another was not a new commandment (see Lev 19:18  ⁿ). However, that they were to love each other with the sort of love modeled by Jesus was dramatic. Jesus’ love for God was expressed in perfect obedience (John 14:31  ^o); now this kind of love was his command—that disciples express their love for Jesus in committed obedience.
13:37  ^p Peter claimed to be ready to die for Jesus, yet his denials are well known (18:15-18  ^q, 25-27  ^r; see also Matt 26:32-34  ^s; Mark 14:27-30  ^t; Luke 22:31-34  ^u). Although Peter’s verve and devotion failed, he was restored (John 21:15-19  ^v).

‏ John 14

Summary for John 14:1-31: 14:1-31  ^w Jesus provided answers to his disciples’ many spoken and unspoken concerns. 14:1  ^x Jesus had himself been troubled (Greek tarassō) on three occasions (11:33  ^y; 12:27  ^z; 13:21  ^aa). His confidence in God’s power made it possible for him to face these crises. Faced with the upsetting words of 13:33  ^ab, the disciples confronted similar feelings.

• Trust (or believe, or have faith) in God: Only trusting God would help them through his hour of death.
14:2  ^ac There is more than enough room in my Father’s home: God’s house is the dwelling place where he resides (Rev 21:9–22:5  ^ad). The word translated “room” is related to the Greek verb meaning “remain, abide, dwell.” Jesus promises that his followers will have a place to “dwell” alongside him, wherever he is. Later, this “dwelling” becomes a place of “indwelling” as Jesus makes his home in his followers’ hearts through the Spirit (John 14:23  ^ae).
14:3  ^af Some scholars believe that Jesus meant he would come and get his followers after the resurrection (14:18  ^ag). Others think these words refer to Jesus’ second coming. For the disciples, the more important coming was Jesus’ return from the grave (ch 16  ^ah).
14:6  ^ai I am: See study note on 6:35. Access to the Father’s presence is only through Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life.

• The way to the Father is only through Jesus. Other religions and philosophies propose different avenues to God, but Jesus asserted that he is the one exclusive path to God.

• Jesus is the truth because God is truth.

• God is the source of eternal life. At Lazarus’s tomb, Jesus showed his divine power over life and death (11:25  ^aj).
14:8  ^ak Philip did not yet understand that in Jesus he was seeing the full embodiment of God (14:9  ^al).
14:9  ^am Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! Cp. 1:1-2  ^an. Jesus Christ is God-in-the-flesh (1:14  ^ao), which explains his capacity to accomplish divine works. Jesus did not simply teach about God; in him God can be found. Jesus’ remarkable statement echoed what he had said at Hanukkah: “The Father and I are one” (10:30  ^ap). This claim is at the root of the world’s opposition to Christ (5:18  ^aq).
14:10  ^ar Jesus’ claims were astonishing (10:30  ^as, 37-38  ^at). Yet true faith recognizes Jesus’ union with God the Father.
14:12  ^au Jesus promised that anyone who believes in him would perform great miracles and experience answers to their prayers (see 1 Jn 5:14  ^av). These things would become possible when Jesus went to the Father, because he would send the Holy Spirit to empower the works (John 14:16  ^aw).

• The greater works will not outdo Jesus’ work, but regular people empowered by the Spirit will be doing them. God promised that in the era of the Spirit, he would bring his Kingdom and power into the world in a way not seen before.
14:15  ^ax If you love me: Because Jesus loves the Father, he is obedient to what God directs him to say and do (12:49  ^ay). If we love him, we will obey him too (14:21  ^az, 23  ^ba; 15:10  ^bb, 14  ^bc; see 1 Jn 2:3-4  ^bd; 5:2  ^be).
14:16  ^bf another Advocate: The Spirit continues Jesus’ work by advising, defending, and protecting believers.
14:17  ^bg The Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth (literally the Spirit of truth; see also 15:26  ^bh; 16:13  ^bi), communicates the truth about God. The Spirit maintains Jesus’ presence in the world, duplicating and sustaining Jesus’ work.
14:18  ^bj Jesus had already assured his followers that they would not be spiritual orphans and that he would return to them (14:1-4  ^bk). While he is away, they will be filled with the Spirit, who will sustain them with his presence (14:12-17  ^bl).
14:20  ^bm Jesus’ resurrection (14:19  ^bn) inaugurated his spiritual union with his disciples, which is parallel to the union he enjoys with the Father (see 15:4-5  ^bo; 1 Jn 1:3  ^bp).
14:22  ^bq Several men are named Judas in the New Testament. Judas, the brother of Jesus, (Mark 6:3  ^br) wrote the epistle of Jude. Judas, the son of James, whom John is referring to here, is listed as an apostle in Luke 6:16  ^bs; he is elsewhere identified as Thaddaeus (Matt 10:3  ^bt; Mark 3:18  ^bu).

• Lord, why? Judas posed an important question. If Jesus planned to return mightily from death, why not use the opportunity to reveal himself definitively to the world and validate his power and identity?
Summary for John 14:23-24: 14:23-24  ^bv Jesus answered Judas’s question, explaining that his coming would be a profound spiritual revelation beyond the world’s grasp.

• Jesus’ coming would occur in three experiences: his resurrection, the coming of the Spirit, and his second coming. When he comes in the Spirit, he and the Father will reside within believers, making a home with each of them (see study note on 14:2).
14:26  ^bw Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit (see also 14:16  ^bx; 15:26  ^by; 16:7  ^bz, 12-14  ^ca).

• The Spirit will teach ... everything, recalling Jesus’ words and clarifying their meaning. John experienced this power as he wrote his Gospel (2:22  ^cb); Christians experience this work of the Spirit as they read the Scriptures.
14:27  ^cc The Jewish greeting peace (Hebrew shalom) captured the spirit of Jesus’ work on earth to restore humanity’s relationship with God (Isa 9:6-7  ^cd; 52:7  ^ce; 57:19  ^cf; Rom 5:1  ^cg). The resurrection (John 14:28  ^ch) and the Spirit were instrumental in achieving this work.
14:28  ^ci the Father, who is greater than I am: See also 5:19-20  ^cj. Jesus is submissive to the Father but is also one with the Father (10:30  ^ck).
14:30  ^cl The events unfolding in Jerusalem that led to the cross were not controlled by the ruler of this world, meaning Satan. The cross was not an accident, and Jesus was not a helpless victim. Rather, Jesus was obedient to God’s plan.

‏ John 15

Summary for John 15:1-27: 15:1-27  ^cm Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure, instructing them to remain in close fellowship with him. The image of a grapevine illustrates both intimacy and fruitfulness. To sustain genuine spiritual life in the world, believers must remain intimately connected to Christ. 15:1  ^cn I am: See study note on 6:35. The grapevine and the vineyard traditionally represented God’s people, planted and tended by him in Israel (Ps 80:8-18  ^co; Isa 5:1-7  ^cp; Jer 2:21  ^cq; 12:10-11  ^cr; Ezek 15:1-5  ^cs; Hos 10:1-2  ^ct). When Jesus used this image, he made an important departure: He declared that he is the true grapevine and that a relationship with God requires attachment to him.
Summary for John 15:2-3: 15:2-3  ^cu Gardeners cut away dead branches and trim healthy branches so they will produce more fruit. Fruitfulness is the result of life-giving connection to the vine.
15:4  ^cv The term remain (Greek menō) is key to understanding 15:4-10  ^cw. A growing disciple, in whom the Father and the Son live through the Spirit, must be continuously connected to Christ (see 14:16-25  ^cx; 15:26  ^cy).
15:6  ^cz Anyone who does not remain in Christ is separated from the vine and its life. A living branch produces clusters of grapes (15:5  ^da). Connection with the vine allows the life of Jesus to flow fruitfully through the disciple. Those who claim to be attached to Christ but yield no fruit are useless and will be burned.
15:7  ^db Those whose lives are in harmony with Jesus may ask for anything because their prayers are controlled by his word. Their prayers will be answered and bring glory to God (14:10-13  ^dc).
15:8  ^dd True disciples will experience a transformed, fruit-bearing life because they live in a relationship of love with both Jesus and the Father (15:9-10  ^de).
15:10  ^df Just as Jesus demonstrated his love for the Father by obeying his will (14:31  ^dg), Jesus’ disciples exhibit their love through obedience to him (13:34-35  ^dh; 14:15  ^di; 1 Jn 2:5  ^dj; 5:2-3  ^dk).
Summary for John 15:12-13: 15:12-13  ^dl This is my commandment: Love each other: See 13:34  ^dm.

• Jesus demonstrated his love by sacrificing his life at the cross.
Summary for John 15:14-16: 15:14-16  ^dn Both Abraham and Moses were called friends of God (Exod 33:11  ^do; 2 Chr 20:7  ^dp; Isa 41:8  ^dq; Jas 2:23  ^dr). This is the highest relationship possible between God and a person. Jesus chooses his friends (John 15:16  ^ds), who demonstrate their friendship by obeying him.
15:15  ^dt The disciples of a rabbi were considered his servants or slaves. Jesus elevated his followers to a higher relationship as his friends.
Summary for John 15:18-27: 15:18-27  ^du Disciples must be like their master in every respect, both in showing love and obedience and in experiencing the antagonism of those who oppose their message (15:20-21  ^dv; see 9:1-41  ^dw; 11:16  ^dx). If the darkness is opposed to the light (1:5  ^dy), and if Jesus’ followers are bearers of that light in the world (1 Jn 1:7  ^dz; 2:9  ^ea), they should expect the world to hate them in the way it hated Jesus (see John 17:14  ^eb). Jesus’ disciples share his separation from and conflict with the world.
15:20  ^ec A slave is not greater than the master: See study note on 13:16. Jesus’ disciples should mirror him in every way, even in his experience of persecution and martyrdom.
Summary for John 15:22-24: 15:22-24  ^ed But now they have no excuse: Jesus’ ministry provided both words (15:22  ^ee) and works (15:24  ^ef) as evidence that pointed to God. Once people have heard and seen him, they are accountable.
15:25  ^eg They hated me without cause: This Old Testament citation reveals the unwarranted anger of those who belong to the darkness.
15:26  ^eh But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth: Like a legal advocate, the Holy Spirit counsels and protects Jesus’ followers.
15:27  ^ei Disciples are not alone when they testify about Christ (Matt 28:20  ^ej). The Spirit accompanies them, providing the words to say (Matt 10:19-20  ^ek).

‏ John 16

Summary for John 16:1-2: 16:1-2  ^el Jesus had outlined the coming conflicts (15:18-25  ^em) so that the disciples would not abandon their faith (literally be caused to stumble). The greatest obstacle his disciples would face was to stumble and renounce their faith before their opponents (see Matt 23:34  ^en; Luke 6:22  ^eo), especially during the dark days ahead (see John 12:35  ^ep; 1 Jn 2:9-11  ^eq).
16:7  ^er the Advocate: The Spirit was a gift awaiting Jesus’ departure and glorification (7:37-39  ^es; 14:16  ^et, 26  ^eu; 15:26  ^ev; 16:12-14  ^ew).
Summary for John 16:8-11: 16:8-11  ^ex One of the Spirit’s roles is to convict the world. Convict is a legal term: The world had conducted its trial of Jesus, examining the evidence for his case (his signs and claims). Now the world would stand trial before the Spirit, and its guilt would be proven. 16:8  ^ey The Spirit unveils to the world the real nature of its sin, the truth about righteousness found only in God, and the coming judgment, which has already dawned on the world as light penetrating the darkness.
16:11  ^ez Judgment of sinners had already begun, for the ruler of this world, Satan, had already been judged (see 12:31  ^fa). The world thought it was judging Jesus, but the opposite occurred.
16:13  ^fb The Spirit of truth, who conveys truth from God, guides the judgment of the world.

• The Spirit says only what he has heard from the Father. The Father, Son, and Spirit work in perfect unity (16:15  ^fc). The disciples could expect the Spirit to reveal things they had not heard before about the present and the future (see 14:26  ^fd).
Summary for John 16:16-33: 16:16-33  ^fe a little while: This refrain reassured the disciples that their separation from Jesus would be short-lived. 16:16  ^ff Jesus reassured the disciples that his departure (on the cross) would be short and his return (in the resurrection) would be soon. When they saw him again, the disciples would experience overwhelming joy and intimacy with him in the Spirit.
16:20  ^fg At the crucifixion, the world thought it had won a victory over the light. The shock of the cross would cause the disciples to weep and mourn, but their sorrow would change to joy when Jesus defeated the grave (20:20  ^fh).
16:21  ^fi the pains of labor: This metaphor symbolizes anguish that is followed by God’s blessing and wonder (cp. Isa 21:2-3  ^fj; 26:16-21  ^fk; 66:7-10  ^fl; Jer 13:21  ^fm).
Summary for John 16:23-24: 16:23-24  ^fn Ask ... and you will receive: Two notable effects of the resurrection are the joy of understanding and the joy of successful prayer. The disciples would no longer experience the confusion described in 16:16-18  ^fo.
16:25  ^fp Jesus spoke using figures of speech, which could only be interpreted with God’s help (1 Cor 1:18-25  ^fq). With the coming of the Spirit, the disciples would understand.
Summary for John 16:26-27: 16:26-27  ^fr After Jesus’ resurrection, the Spirit brought intimacy, allowing individual disciples to ask the Father to meet their needs. (14:23  ^fs).
16:33  ^ft But take heart, because I have overcome the world: “Such a saying as this is worthy to be carried from Rome to Jerusalem on one’s knees” (Martin Luther). Jesus’ final words did not chastise but brought comfort. Jesus promised peace (14:27  ^fu) and joy (16:20  ^fv, 22  ^fw). Now he added that his disciples can discover peace even when surrounded by threats; they can be tranquil despite those who are hostile to their faith.

‏ John 17

Summary for John 17:1-26: 17:1-26  ^fx This chapter records Jesus’ longest prayer, which is often called his “high priestly prayer.” It provides an intimate glimpse into his heart. In this prayer, which closes the farewell that began at 13:31  ^fy, Jesus expressed his own concerns to his Father (17:1-8  ^fz) and then turned to concerns for the church and its future (17:9-26  ^ga). 17:1  ^gb Jesus looked up to heaven, assuming the traditional Jewish posture for prayer (11:41  ^gc; Ps 123:1  ^gd). He probably also raised his hands (Exod 9:33  ^ge; 17:11  ^gf; Ps 28:2  ^gg). Prayers like this were said aloud so that followers could hear (John 11:41-42  ^gh; 12:27-30  ^gi; also Matt 11:25-30  ^gj; Luke 10:21-22  ^gk).

• Father was Jesus’ usual way to address God, which he did six times in this prayer (see also John 11:41  ^gl; 12:27  ^gm). This title—unusual in Judaism—reflected Jesus’ intimacy with God.

• This hour included Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, torture, death, and resurrection (see study note on 12:23).

• Glorify your Son: In the Gospel of John, the cross is a place of honor. Jesus’ oneness with the Father means that if the Son is glorified, the Father will also be glorified.
17:2  ^gn All authority has been placed in Jesus’ hands (3:35  ^go); he can give eternal life as only God can (3:15  ^gp; 5:21  ^gq, 25-26  ^gr).
17:3  ^gs to know you: The Hebrew idea of knowing encompassed experience and intimacy, which for Christians means love for God and obedience to him.

• sent to earth: Jesus originated in heaven and was returning there (17:5  ^gt), so he exercises divine authority as the agent of God.
17:4  ^gu Jesus’ miracles displayed God’s glory for the world to see (1:14  ^gv). This task was finished; Jesus’ life and obedience had glorified God.
17:5  ^gw Jesus prayed to return to the position he had with God before the world began (1:1  ^gx).
17:6  ^gy This verse summarizes Christ’s mission. He revealed the true person of God to the world, gathered up God’s people into his flock, and instructed them in obedience. The result of this work is the church.
17:8  ^gz Jesus revealed himself widely to the world. Those who embraced his message became children of God (1:12  ^ha; 11:52  ^hb), and he revealed God’s word to them.
Summary for John 17:9-19: 17:9-19  ^hc Jesus prayed for his disciples, who must carry on after his departure.
17:10  ^hd Just as the Son brings glory to the Father (17:1  ^he, 4-5  ^hf), the disciples bring the Son glory (17:22  ^hg). The love and obedience that brought glory to God in Jesus’ life become features of his disciples’ lives.
17:11  ^hh Jesus’ first concern for his disciples was that they ... be united with an intimacy similar to the oneness shared by Jesus and the Father.
Summary for John 17:12-13: 17:12-13  ^hi Until now, Jesus had guarded his followers. Now he was concerned for their strength and survival in his absence, because the world would be hostile toward them (15:18-27  ^hj) and their mission of challenging the world by heralding the truth (16:8-11  ^hk). After Jesus’ departure, the Spirit would protect them (15:26  ^hl) and bring them joy.
17:14  ^hm God’s word, which Jesus had given his disciples, also provides a defense against the world. The Spirit would preserve and recall God’s word in the church (14:26  ^hn), equipping the church for its encounter with the world.
Summary for John 17:16-18: 17:16-18  ^ho Being holy refers to purity gained by separation from the world, and living a life so aligned with God that it reflects his passions. Disciples are set apart by God, equipped by the Spirit, and readied by God’s word to enter the world without being victimized by its darkness.
17:19  ^hp I give myself as a holy sacrifice (literally I sanctify myself): Priests and prophets were similarly set apart for service to God (Lev 8:30  ^hq; Jer 1:5  ^hr). Jesus recommitted himself to his mission, acknowledging that he was set apart for the purpose of the cross. The disciples would benefit because his death would enable them to experience new holiness in a deep attachment to God.
17:20  ^hs Jesus was praying for other sheep who were not yet in his flock (10:16  ^ht). These are the believers through the centuries who have come to faith through the witness of Jesus’ disciples.
17:21  ^hu For believers, becoming one with one another is an outgrowth of the union they enjoy with Jesus himself, a union modeled on the oneness of the Father and the Son.

• may they be in us: Through the power of the Spirit, believers would experience a profound spiritual intimacy with the Father and the Son and be transformed (14:20  ^hv, 23  ^hw; 1 Jn 4:13  ^hx).

• Disciples of Jesus represent him, so their conduct and relationships with each other reflect the credibility of Christ in the world. When there is disunity, infighting, and intolerance, their testimony to the world is unconvincing. When people observe the community of believers, they know that it represents Jesus; a unified, loving community convinces the world to believe (John 13:35  ^hy; 1 Jn 3:11  ^hz).
17:22  ^ia The community of believers should display the same glory that Jesus displayed from the Father.
17:23  ^ib that the world will know: If the church lives in the Spirit, reflects God’s glory and love, and shows unity sustained by a shared knowledge of God, then its testimony will astonish the world.
17:24  ^ic I want these ... to be with me: Someday, Jesus’ followers will see Jesus’ true glory, the true love that has existed in heaven since the beginning of time (17:5  ^id). Jesus was returning to heaven, and he yearned to see his disciples there so that they might glimpse what no words on earth can describe.
17:26  ^ie All who accept the Son and embrace the Father will experience the kind of love known only between the Father and the Son.

• I will be in them: Jesus loves his followers and wants to indwell them with glory and joy unmatched by anything in the world.