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John 13:16
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Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
The servant is not greater than his lord - Christ has ennobled the acts of humility by practising them himself. The true glory of a Christian consists in being, in his measure, as humble as his Lord. Neither he that is sent - Ουδε αποϚολος Nor an apostle. As I think these words were intended for the suppression of all worldly ambition and lordly conduct in the apostles and their successors in the ministry, therefore I think the original word αποϚολος, should be translated apostle, rather than he that is sent, because the former rendering ascertains and determines the meaning better.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The servant is not greater than his lord, &c.--an oft-repeated saying (Mat 10:24, &c.). If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them--a hint that even among real Christians the doing of such things would come lamentably short of the knowing.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Verily, verily, I say unto you,.... This is a strong way of asseveration, and is used when anything of moment and importance, and worthy of attention and observation is delivered. The servant is not greater than his Lord; it is enough that he be as his Lord, which was a common phrase among the Jews; See Gill on Mat 10:24, Mat 10:25; and as it is there made use of, to inform the disciples they must expect persecution, and to encourage them to bear it with patience; here it is designed to engage to humility; for if a master condescends to perform such an action, much more may a servant: neither he that is sent, is greater than he that sent him. This is also a way of speaking in use among the Jews; "R. Meir says, (z) who is greatest, he that keeps, or he that is kept? from what is written in Psa 91:11, he that is kept, is greater than he that keeps: says R. Judah, which is greatest, he that carries, or he that is carried? from what is written in Psa 91:12, he that is carried, is greater than he that carries: says R. Simeon, from what is written, in Isa 6:8, , "he that sends, is greater than he that is sent".'' Which is the very phrase here used by Christ; and his meaning is this, that if it was not below him, who had chose and called, and sent them forth as his apostles, to wash their feet, they who were sent by him, should not disdain to wash one another's. (z) Bereshit Rabba, fol. 68. 1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:16 slaves are not greater than their master: This proverb was popular and appears in many places (see also 15:20; Matt 10:24; Luke 6:40). Here, Jesus meant that the sacrifice modeled by the master should be seen in the life of the servant.
John 13:16
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
15I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you. 16Truly, truly, I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.17If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Judas Factor in Ministry (Time for Renewal Conference)
By Carter Conlon2.8K58:53JudasLUK 6:12LUK 13:4LUK 13:13JHN 6:64JHN 13:16JHN 13:20JHN 18:1In this sermon, the preacher discusses the betrayal of Jesus by Judas and the role of Satan in influencing Judas' heart. The preacher emphasizes that everyone has the potential to betray Christ due to their fallen nature. He highlights the importance of staying focused on Christ and not allowing diversions or the desires of our own hearts to lead us astray. The sermon also emphasizes the example of Jesus washing the disciples' feet as a call to serve and humble ourselves before others.
Addressing the Curse of Poverty - Part 2
By Jackie Pullinger1.5K53:38PovertyMAT 5:7LUK 6:24LUK 6:46JHN 13:16JHN 13:20ACT 18:3PHM 1:2In this sermon, the speaker shares stories of individuals who have experienced the power of kindness and compassion in their lives. He emphasizes the importance of showing God's glory through acts of kindness and how it can bring revival to a city. The speaker also highlights the impact of simple acts of kindness, such as sitting with a grieving person or being nice to others, in changing lives and potentially even winning nations for Christ. He encourages listeners to listen to God, look for opportunities to show kindness, and trust that their actions can make a significant difference in their community.
Special Meetings 04 Psalm 84:
By John W. Bramhall99448:16JOB 13:15PSA 119:11MAT 5:10JHN 13:16PHP 4:132TI 3:14HEB 12:11In this sermon, the speaker focuses on Psalm 84 and divides it into three sections: finding God, following God, and fellowshipping with God. The first section emphasizes the importance of recognizing that we cannot follow God in our own strength, but rather our strength comes from Him. The speaker references Philippians 4:13, where Paul declares that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. The second section highlights the blessings of dwelling in God's house and praising Him. The final section encourages believers to seek fellowship with God and to continue to joyfully follow Him until they reach their heavenly home. The sermon also references Isaiah 55:6-7, which urges people to seek the Lord while He may be found and promises abundant pardon and mercy for those who turn to Him.
The Appearing of Resurrection and the Giving of Power
By Newman Sze8201:22:11MAT 28:1MAT 28:19MRK 16:15LUK 24:44JHN 20:19JHN 21:25In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the 40 days that Jesus spent on earth after His resurrection. He explains that during this time, Jesus trained His disciples to shift their focus from external things to internal revelation, from the flesh to the Holy Spirit, and from the law to life. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about a turbulent airplane ride to illustrate the need for Christians to rise above fear and rely on the Holy Spirit. He concludes by urging the audience to prioritize their personal encounter with the Lord and the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Audio Sermon: What Does It Mean to Accept Christ - Part 2
By A.W. Tozer76820:22MAT 10:33MAT 16:24LUK 9:23JHN 13:16ROM 8:171CO 1:18GAL 2:20PHP 3:101JN 2:6REV 3:5This sermon emphasizes the radical and revolutionary acceptance of Jesus Christ, highlighting the importance of accepting His friends and enemies, His ways, rejection, cross, life, and future. It stresses the need for a complete and exclusive acceptance of Christ, rejecting superficiality and emphasizing the life-changing nature of true acceptance.
Jesus, the Model of Perfection
By Andrew Murray0Humility and ServanthoodPerfection in ChristMAT 1:24MAT 5:48LUK 22:27JHN 13:16JHN 15:20Andrew Murray emphasizes that Jesus serves as the ultimate model of perfection for humanity, demonstrating that despite our limitations, we can strive to reflect God's perfection through Him. He highlights that Jesus, who faced temptation and humiliation, invites us to live in Him and emulate His character. The true disciple embodies both outward humility and inward servitude, aspiring to mirror the Master in all aspects of life. This journey towards perfection involves embracing the challenges of being despised and serving others, ultimately leading to a deeper relationship with Christ.
John 13:1-18
By St. John Chrysostom0GEN 7:1MAT 5:44JHN 13:13JHN 13:16John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of humility and servanthood by reflecting on Jesus washing His disciples' feet, teaching them to serve one another with love and humility. He highlights the significance of not exalting oneself above others and the need to imitate Christ's example of selfless service, even towards those who may betray or harm us. Chrysostom urges believers to respond to wrongdoing with forgiveness and kindness, following the examples of Joseph and Moses who displayed patience and love towards those who wronged them, ultimately showing that true virtue lies in overcoming evil with good.
R. Stanley Quotes
By R. Stanley0JHN 3:5JHN 13:16ACT 1:81CO 12:4EPH 4:11R. Stanley emphasizes the importance of 'unless' and 'until' in the Kingdom of God, highlighting the necessity of being born of the Spirit to enter the Kingdom and being baptized with the Spirit to expand it. He discusses the distinction between theologians and believers, pointing out that theology is the knowledge of God, but true knowledge of God starts with personal faith in Christ. Stanley challenges the division of believers into 'gifted' and 'non-gifted,' stating that all believers are gifted within the Body of Christ.
A Bondslave of Christ
By Zac Poonen0MAT 20:28JHN 13:16ACT 20:33ROM 1:1ROM 6:221CO 9:142CO 11:7PHP 2:52PE 1:4Zac Poonen preaches on the concept of being a bondslave of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the difference between a servant and a slave. He highlights that under the new covenant, God seeks bondslaves who serve Him without expecting any salary or gifts from others. Poonen stresses the importance of being freed from conscious sin in the past, experiencing progressive sanctification in the present, and looking forward to eternal life in the future as true bondslaves of God.
Seeing Him Who Is Invisible
By Jack Hyles0EXO 3:1LAM 1:12LUK 6:26JHN 13:162CO 4:182CO 5:7GAL 1:10HEB 11:24HEB 11:33Jack Hyles preaches about the importance of standing firm in faith, even in the face of opposition and loneliness, by drawing examples from the Bible of individuals who endured hardships and persecution for their faith. He emphasizes the need to see 'Him who is invisible' in times of discouragement and to seek God's presence and guidance above all else, even when faced with challenges and rejection from others.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
The servant is not greater than his lord - Christ has ennobled the acts of humility by practising them himself. The true glory of a Christian consists in being, in his measure, as humble as his Lord. Neither he that is sent - Ουδε αποϚολος Nor an apostle. As I think these words were intended for the suppression of all worldly ambition and lordly conduct in the apostles and their successors in the ministry, therefore I think the original word αποϚολος, should be translated apostle, rather than he that is sent, because the former rendering ascertains and determines the meaning better.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The servant is not greater than his lord, &c.--an oft-repeated saying (Mat 10:24, &c.). If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them--a hint that even among real Christians the doing of such things would come lamentably short of the knowing.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Verily, verily, I say unto you,.... This is a strong way of asseveration, and is used when anything of moment and importance, and worthy of attention and observation is delivered. The servant is not greater than his Lord; it is enough that he be as his Lord, which was a common phrase among the Jews; See Gill on Mat 10:24, Mat 10:25; and as it is there made use of, to inform the disciples they must expect persecution, and to encourage them to bear it with patience; here it is designed to engage to humility; for if a master condescends to perform such an action, much more may a servant: neither he that is sent, is greater than he that sent him. This is also a way of speaking in use among the Jews; "R. Meir says, (z) who is greatest, he that keeps, or he that is kept? from what is written in Psa 91:11, he that is kept, is greater than he that keeps: says R. Judah, which is greatest, he that carries, or he that is carried? from what is written in Psa 91:12, he that is carried, is greater than he that carries: says R. Simeon, from what is written, in Isa 6:8, , "he that sends, is greater than he that is sent".'' Which is the very phrase here used by Christ; and his meaning is this, that if it was not below him, who had chose and called, and sent them forth as his apostles, to wash their feet, they who were sent by him, should not disdain to wash one another's. (z) Bereshit Rabba, fol. 68. 1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:16 slaves are not greater than their master: This proverb was popular and appears in many places (see also 15:20; Matt 10:24; Luke 6:40). Here, Jesus meant that the sacrifice modeled by the master should be seen in the life of the servant.