Was troubled in spirit - See the note on John 11:33 . And testified - Spoke with great earnestness. Shall betray me - Παραδωσει με , Will deliver me up. Judas had already betrayed our blessed Lord, and he was now on the point of delivering him up into the hands of the chief priests. By all these warnings, did not our Lord intend that Judas should be benefited? - that he should repent of his iniquity, and turn and find mercy? read more
Verse 18 18.I speak not of you all. He again declares that there is one among the disciples who, in reality, is the very reverse of a disciple; and he does so, partly for the sake of Judas, in order to render him the more inexcusable, and partly for the sake of the others, ‘That they may not be overpowered by the ruin of Judas. Not only does he encourage them still to persevere in their calling when Judas falls away; but as the happiness which he speaks of is not common to all, he exhorts them... read more
Verse 19 19.I tell you this now, before it happen. By this statement he reminds his disciples that, when one of their number becomes a reprobate, this is so far from being a good reason for their being discouraged, that it ought to be a more full confirmation of their faith. For if we did not see before our eyes, in the Church, what has been foretold about her distresses and struggles, a doubt might justly arise in our minds, Where are the prophecies? But when the truth of Scripture agrees with... read more
Verse 20 20.Verily, verily, I tell you. In these words either the Evangelist relates a discourse on a different subject, and in a broken and imperfect state, or, Christ intended to meet the offense which was likely to arise from the crime of Judas; for the Evangelists do not always exhibit the discourses of Christ in unbroken succession, but sometimes throw together, in heaps, a variety of statements. It is more probable, however, that Christ intended to provide against this scandal. There is... read more
Verse 21 21.When Jesus had said these words. The more sacred the apostolic office is, and the higher its dignity, the more base and detestable was the treachery of Judas. A crime so monstrous and detestable struck Christ himself with horror, when he saw how the incredible wickedness of one man had polluted that sacred order in which the majesty of God ought to have shone with brightness. To the same purpose is what the Evangelist adds, that he testified. His meaning is, the action was so... read more
A. The inner glorification of the Christ in the presence of those who received and believed on him . *** The Loges incarnate as life, light, love, and sacrifice, lavishing all his grace upon his own (Jn 13-17.). B. The outer glorification of the Christ in his Passion and resurrection . *** The fully manifested love laying down life that he might take it again, and lift these disciples into vital union with the risen life (Jn 18-21.). A. THE INNER GLORIFICATION OF ... read more
I speak net concerning you all . There is one who, though he knows these things, will not do them, is now indisposed to see any Divineness in the act and spirit of love which I am laying down as a fundamental law of my kingdom. I know whom £ (or, the individuals whom ) I chose for apostles—(in John 6:1-71 . the same statement is made with less definiteness, "Have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you," etc.?) Judas among them—but. It is difficult to follow this construction,... read more
The exception to this blessedness of the disciples. The thought of their blessedness recalls the fact that there was one in their society with whom knowledge would not have this happy issue. I. THE TREACHERY OF JUDAS WAS AS YET ONLY MANIFEST TO CHRIST . "I speak not of you all." 1. Jesus knew the thoughts of Judas ' s heart . There was no surprise, therefore, to Jesus in the treachery that was preparing the way for his death. 2. Judas was not an... read more
2. The exclusion of the faithless disciple . This paragraph draws the circle of his cleansed ones, of those who accept him as Master and Lord in the fullest sense, more closely (at) out him. But the proceeding is tragic in the extreme; one of the twelve chosen as apostles is a traitor in disguise. The foot-washing has been an awful insufficiency in his case. He must depart before the greatest depth of the Master's love and truth can be revealed. read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 13:20
He that received whomsoever I send - See similar words, Matthew 10:40 , etc. Our Lord spoke this to comfort his disciples: he showed them that, although they should be rejected by many, they would be received by several; and that whoever received them should reap the utmost benefit by it. read more