Category: John 13

John 13 Questions for Reflection and Discussion

12/4/2022

This painting, by Benevenuto Tisi, made in about 1520, measures about 14x20 inches. It is currently in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Notice the varied expressions on the different disciples. John, normally pictured as youthful and without a beard (here almost looking like a girl with beautiful golden hair), is looking to others for explanation. Peter, pictured as an older man and here having his foot washed, seems resistant. His hand on his chest is a gesture of self-sufficiency. The figure near the left, turned in no less than three directions at once, is likely a depiction of Judas, indicating that he really was conflicted about what he was doing. While some of the disciples are speaking among themselves, notice one in the left background is watching and thinking. All receive the action of Jesus as a servant of all in a different way. Yet he is persisting in serving them all. Notice the apparent light sources. There are shadows indicating light coming from different directions, all focused on Jesus. He is the proper focus of our attention. Yet, consistent with the picture John paints of Jesus and his disciples, the disciples are not unified in their attention. Jesus' focus is present, not on the actual washing, but on the need of his disciple Peter.

Notice in the Bible we refer to the following:
  Book - John (there are many different "books" in the one book of the Bible),
  Chapter - Normally found as a big numeric heading. John has 21 chapters,
  Verse - a segment usually about a sentence long.
The chapter and verse markings were added to the text as a handy index about 800 years ago. They are the same in virtually every different translation.

Here's a link to John chapter 13. You can also compare the text in several different languages and translations.

If you want a copy of John's Gospel in print, we're happy to meet you around the Mizzou campus and put one into your hand!

1. In John 13 Jesus, despite knowing the plan of Judas to betray him, cares for his disciples, washing their feet the way a slave would do so. What does this tell you about Jesus' attitude? What do the various reactions to Jesus show you?

2. How does Jesus' explanation of his actions, given in verses 12 and following, help you understand what Jesus' plan is? How do we act in light of this passage?

3. Jesus speaks in verses 21 and following about one of his disciples betraying him. How do you understand this? Why is it significant that one of the people Jesus chose acts as his betrayer?

4. How does Jesus' command to love one another contrast with the actions of Judas? How can we live out this command?

5. What hope do we have if, like Judas and like Peter, we deny Jesus in what we say or do?

Be sure to ask your questions and share your ideas in the comments for this post!

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Jesus Moves Decisively toward Death and Resurrection

12/4/2022

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Carson, D. A. The Gospel According to John. Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1991.
“IV. Jesus’ Self-Disclosure in His Cross and Exaltation (13:1-20:31)” “A. The Last Supper (13:1-30)” pp. 455-476.

Carson observes a shift in order of events starting in John 13. In the earlier chapters, Jesus would do a sign, then explain the sign. Now, Jesus’ teaching points forward to his final sign of death and resurrection (Carson 1991, 455).

Before digging into the events of the passage, Carson weighs different views of the date of the passion. The Synoptics point clearly to the meal being a Passover, placing Jesus’ death on Friday, 15 Nisan. John seems to point to one day earlier, with Jesus’ death at the same time as the slaughter of Passover lambs (Carson 1991, 455). Carson’s resolution is that the chronology of the Synoptics is not directly contradicted by John. He cites several verses which he will consider in his running commentary. The verses are 13:1, 27; 18:28; 19:14, 31, 36, 42b (Carson 1991, 457).

Carson also considers why John did not give an explicit teaching about the Eucharist, though this passage clearly provides opportunity (Carson 1991, 458). Carson thinks John is pointing away from the Eucharist itself to the sacrifice of Christ, both here and in John 6.

John 13:1-17 describes Jesus’ washing of his disciples’ feet (Carson 1991, 458). Dinner is about to begin. Verse 2 says that the plan to betray Jesus was already conceived. Carson does note that the text is slightly oblique. Was it Judas’ plan? Was it the devil’s plan? Regardless, Jesus will be betrayed (Carson 1991, 462). Jesus prepares himself and circles the disciples, washing their feet. Carson notes the embarrassment the disciples would have (Carson 1991, 463). Yet Jesus persists. Carson emphasizes that all our relatioship with Jesus is tied to assent to his cleansing (Carson 1991, 464). Yet Jesus does not wash all of Peter “Individuals who have been cleansed by Christ’s atoning work will doubtless need to have subsequent sins washed away, but the fundamental cleansing can never be repeated” (Carson 1991, 465). Carson insists that baptism as an effective and salvific event can’t be maintained (Carson 1991, 466) But he does allow for the washing to be a very strong symbol of God’s self-sacrifice (Carson 1991, 467). Carson does note that footwashing lacks the command and promise most would require of a sacrament. It is, however, a sign of care and service (Carson 1991, 468).

In John 13:18-30 Jesus predicts his betrayal. Jesus still speaks of Judas as one of his Twelve. Carson says, “the argument assumes that not all election is to salvation” (Carson 1991, 470). He views Jesus as actively choosing Judas for destruction. The text in John 13:18 does say that Judas is responsible for his betrayal. Yet the betrayal does lead to Jesus’ redemption of the world (Carson 1991, 471). Carson does comment on Jesus’ reactions here. Jesus was troubled. He was really going to be betrayed by one of his Twelve chosen ones (Carson 1991, 472).

Carson discusses the custom of reclining at table in brief. He thinks the Passover by this time was almost always elebrated reclining, as a contrast to the haste of the first Passover (Carson 1991, 473). In verses 24-26 Jesus reveals to John who would betray him. He gives him a gesture of affection before sending him out (Carson 1991, 475). Carson dismisses the difficulty of the Eleven thinking Judas was sent to make a purchase for Passover. He considers that some shops would remain open, on a credit only basis, even on the Sabbath. Further, Judas may have been sent to give to the poor, a common event on Passover (Carson 1991, 475). Judas went out on his grim errand, and the narrative closes.

Carson, D. A. The Gospel According to John. Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1991.
“IV. Jesus’ Self-Disclosure in His Cross and Exaltation (13:1-20:31)” “B. The Farewell Discourse: Part One (13:31-14:31)” pp. 476-510.

Jesus makes an extended speech to his disciples after Judas’ departure during their meal. Carson begins his discussion of this discourse by detailing several topics scholars have recently studied. It is unclear precisely where the discourse begins (Carson 1991, 476). 14:31 seems to be a transition. There is some debate about the relationship of material before and after that verse (Carson 1991, 477). Some have broken the entire discourse into very small phrases from different traditions, assembled by force (Carson 1991, 479). Others have suggested that the discourse takes its shape from other literary farewell discourses (Carson 1991, 480). Some have noted the importance of the discussion of the Holy Spirit, here and in 1 John (Carson 1991, 480). Others have noted what Carson thinks is of primary interest. The passage emphasizes the ongoing life of the Christian, even after Jesus’ departure (Carson 1991, 481).

In John 13:31-38 the process of Jesus’ arrest has begun. Judas has left on his mission. Jesus begins speaking of glorification (Carson 1991, 482). Jesus tells his disciples of his departure. He tells them what he expects of them. Their obligation is a “new” command which is not new. Love one another. But it is expanded. The love is to be as Jesus has loved them (Carson 1991, 484).

John 13 Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Jesus Moves Decisively toward Death and Resurrection

John Chapter 13 Annotated

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