John 13:7 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:7-8

Jesus answered and said to him, That which I am doing thou knowest not now —thou hast not absolute knowledge of, thou hast not seen through as yet; but after these things , afterwards when I shall have completed my present undertaking, thou ( γνώσῃ ) shalt come by clear proof and full discovery and intimate acquaintance to understand . This is sometimes referred to the subsequent illumination of the Holy Spirit, or even to the higher life of the future world (Luthardt), but the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 13:7

Thou knowest not now - Though he saw the action of Jesus, yet he did not fully understand the design of it. It was a symbolical action, inculcating a lesson of humility, and intended to teach it to them in such a manner that it would be impossible for them ever to forget it. Had he simply commanded them to be humble, it would have been far less forcible and impressive than when they saw him actually performing the office of a servant.Shalt know hereafter - Jesus at that time partially explained... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 13:7-11

John 13:7-11. Jesus said, What I do thou knowest not now Thou dost not now know what I intend by this action, but thou shalt know hereafter, a declaration which we may apply on many occasions, for many of his works (whether of creation, providence, or grace) are now great mysteries to us, and known to us, either not at all, or very imperfectly. It is sufficient that we can love and obey now, and that we shall know hereafter what now appears mysterious to us, and what we cannot comprehend. ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 13:1-20

140. Washing the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-20)When they gathered for the meal that night, Jesus took the place of a servant and washed the disciples’ feet. By this action he symbolized firstly, the need for humility, and secondly, that he, the perfect servant, would cleanse people from sin through his death (John 13:1-5). Peter, not understanding this symbolic action, objected. Jesus responded that if he refused to let Jesus cleanse him, he could not be Jesus’ disciple. By this cleansing,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 13:7

not. Greek. ou. App-105 . now. Greek. arti = just now. know = get to know. Greek. ginosko. App-132 . hereafter = after (Greek. meta. App-104 .) these things. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 13:7

Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter.The Lord was in the act of teaching an incredibly effective lesson in humility; but the full significance of it would not be realized by any of the apostles until long afterward. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 13:7

John 13:7. Hereafter.— Μετα ταυτα ;—after these things; and accordingly our Lord, after he had finished the washing, explains the meaning of this symbolical acti read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 13:7

7. Jesus answered and said . . . What I do thou knowest not now—that is, Such condescension does need explanation; it is fitted to astonish. but thou shall know hereafter—afterwards, meaning presently; though viewed as a general maxim, applicable to all dark sayings in God's Word, and dark doings in God's providence, these words are full of consolation. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 13:1-11

The act of foot-washing 13:1-11"In the Synoptic account of the events of this evening we read of a dispute among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. John does not record this, but he tells of an action of Jesus that rebuked their lack of humility more strikingly than any words could have done." [Note: Morris, p. 544.] The emphasis in John 13:1-3 is on what the Lord knew, and in John 13:4-5 it is on what He did. read more