*John 13:21-38
Jesus predicts his betrayal, gives a new commandment of love, and foretells Peter’s denial.
- Jesus Predicts Betrayal:
- After washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus becomes troubled in spirit.
- He announces that one of them will betray him.
- The disciples are puzzled and unsure whom he means, prompting them to look at one another.
- Identifying the Betrayer:
- Peter signals to John, the disciple Jesus loved, to ask who the betrayer is.
- Leaning against Jesus, John asks for the identity of the betrayer.
- Jesus replies that he will give a piece of dipped bread to the betrayer.
- He dips the bread and hands it to Judas Iscariot.
- After receiving the bread, Satan enters Judas, and Jesus tells him to do what he is planning quickly.
- The other disciples misunderstand, thinking Judas is being told to buy items for the festival or give something to the poor.
- Judas leaves immediately, and it is night.
- A New Commandment:
- After Judas departs, Jesus tells his disciples that the time has come for him to be glorified, bringing glory to God.
- He refers to them as “little children” and states that he will only be with them for a short while longer.
- He gives them a new commandment: to love one another as he has loved them.
- He explains that through their love, everyone will know they are his disciples.
- Peter’s Denial Predicted:
- Peter asks where Jesus is going, and Jesus replies that Peter cannot follow now but will follow later.
- Peter insists that he will follow Jesus wherever he goes and even lay down his life for him.
- Jesus responds by predicting that Peter will deny knowing him three times before the rooster crows.
John 13:21-38 teaches us about love, loyalty, and staying faithful to Jesus. Even when Jesus knew He would be betrayed, He still showed love and patience. He also gave His disciples a new command: to love one another as He loved them. We can apply this by choosing love even when it’s hard—being kind, forgiving, and standing by our faith even in difficult times. Instead of holding grudges or turning away from Jesus when life gets tough, we should stay committed to Him and show His love through our words and actions every day.
John 13:21-38 (WEB)
13:21 When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”22 The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ chest. 24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.”25 He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ chest, asked him, “Lord, who is it?”26 Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him.Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”28 Now nobody at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 Therefore having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night.31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately. 33 Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come,’ so now I tell you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?”Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.”37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.