The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:20
The connection of the solemn utterance that follows is not easy to seize. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He who receiveth whomsoever I shall send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. In the earlier utterance of an analogous saying ( Matthew 10:40 ), δεχέσθαι is used instead of λαμβάνειν . The ἐάν τίνα πέμψω suggests that those who may receive his commission need not, and will not, be confined to the twelve apostles, although including them. The... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:19
I tell you from henceforth — ἀπ ' ἄρτι of Matthew 26:64 corresponds with Luke 22:69 , ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν ; the word also implies that our Lord would again recur to the subject. This is the true meaning of ἀπάρτι in the New Testament. It is more than the words will bear to make the ἐγώ εἶμι , the equivalent of a Divine claim to equality with Jehovah; but "all that I have said of myself, and all you have admitted to be true." It is not a promise of continual prevision of... read more