João 13:17

17 Se sabeis estas coisas, bem-aventurados sois se as praticardes.

João 13:17 Meaning and Commentary

John 13:17

If ye know these things
The duties they owed to him, and one another; those kind offices of love and respect to each other; the humility, condescension, and brotherly love, which ought to be in them, and of which he had given them an example:

happy are ye if ye do them;
for the bare theory, or a mere speculative knowledge of these things, is not sufficient; not he that knows and does not, but he that knows and does his master's will, is blessed; he is blessed with communion with his Lord, and shall hereafter enter into his joy, with "well done good and faithful servant". There is an happiness "in" doing well, and which follows "on" it, though not "for" it, in a way of merit; on the other hand, persons who know and do not, are very unhappy; the Jews have a saying F1,

``(twvel alv dmlhv) , "he that learns but not to do", it would have been better for him, if he had never been created; and says R. Jochanan, he that learns but not to do, it would have been better for him if his secundine had been turned upon his face, and he had never come into the world.''


FOOTNOTES:

F1 Hieros. Beracot, fol. 3. 2.

João 13:17 In-Context

15 Porque eu vos dei exemplo, para que, como eu vos fiz, façais vós também.
16 Em verdade, em verdade vos digo: Não é o servo maior do que o seu senhor, nem o enviado maior do que aquele que o enviou.
17 Se sabeis estas coisas, bem-aventurados sois se as praticardes.
18 Não falo de todos vós; eu conheço aqueles que escolhi; mas para que se cumprisse a escritura: O que comia do meu pão, levantou contra mim o seu calcanhar.
19 Desde já no-lo digo, antes que suceda, para que, quando suceder, creiais que eu sou.
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