John 13:17

17 If ye know these things, ye shall be blessed, if ye do them.

John 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.

John 13:17 In-Context

15 for I have given to you ensample, that as I have done to you, so do ye. [for I have given example to you, that as I have done to you, so and ye do.]
16 Truly, truly, I say to you, the servant is not greater than his lord, neither an apostle is greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, ye shall be blessed, if ye do them.
18 I say not of you all, I know which I have chosen [I know whom I have chosen]; but that the scripture be fulfilled, He that eateth my bread, shall raise his heel against me.
19 Truly, I say to you before it be done, that when it is done, ye believe that I am.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.