- Home
- Bible
- John
- Chapter 13
- Verse 13
John 13:17
Verse
Context
Sermons





Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
If ye know these things, happy, etc. - True happiness consists in the knowledge of God, and in obedience to him. A man is not happy because he knows much; but because he receives much of the Divine nature, and is, in all his conduct, conformed to the Divine will. "They who have read many books (says Menu) are more exalted than such as have seldom studied; they who retain what they have read, than forgetful readers; they who fully understand, than such as only remember; and they who perform their known duty, than such as barely know it. Sacred knowledge and devotedness to God are the means by which a man can arrive at beatitude." See Institutes of Menu, c. xii. Inst. 103, 104. For a heathen this saying is very remarkable.
John Gill Bible Commentary
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 (a), , "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.'' (a) Hieros. Beracot, fol. 3. 2.
John 13:17
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
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
Doing Something About It
By Vance Havner3.4K39:22RepentanceEZK 33:31MAT 28:20LUK 11:28JHN 13:17JHN 14:21JAS 1:22JAS 2:12In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the seriousness of being in church and attending Bible conferences. He acknowledges the importance of fun, humor, and relaxation, but warns against the excessive indulgence in worldly pleasures. The speaker references Jim Elliott, a missionary who was convicted by Psalm 100 to turn his eyes from beholding vanity, and encourages the audience to be mindful of what they watch on television. He also criticizes the current generation for being spectators and onlookers, particularly in the realm of religion, where people attend meetings and accumulate knowledge without taking action. The speaker emphasizes the need for the Word of God to convict and stir the hearts of believers, leading to repentance and a transformed life.
The Last Supper
By Gayle Erwin1.2K55:45Last SupperMAT 14:29MAT 16:23MAT 20:20JHN 1:14JHN 13:3JHN 13:14JHN 13:17In this sermon, the preacher sets the stage by explaining the significance of the first three verses of John 13. He highlights Jesus' knowledge that the Father had given Him all power, emphasizing the incredible authority Jesus possessed. The preacher then transitions to discussing the nature of Jesus and the profound passage in John 13. He explains that this event takes place during the Feast of the Passover, a time of excitement and crowds. Jesus, with a keen sense of timing, knew that His hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father.
Spiritual Gifts - Pitfalls to Avoid and Paths to Pursue
By Bob Kauflin1.1K1:01:21Spiritual GiftsMAT 25:14JHN 13:17ACT 3:6HEB 4:12In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the parable of the talents from Matthew 25. He emphasizes the importance of being faithful in little things and not burying our gifts. The speaker encourages the audience to read, study, meditate on, and obey God's word as a way to see the Spirit working in their lives. He also urges them to expect God to work through them and to encourage others by recognizing and affirming the work of the Spirit in their lives.
Epistle of James - Part 4
By John Hunter96455:27JamesJHN 4:20JHN 13:17JAS 4:1JAS 4:5JAS 4:11In this sermon, the preacher focuses on James chapter 4 and breaks it down into different sections. The sermon begins by discussing the conflicts and fights among people, attributing them to their own selfish desires. The preacher then emphasizes the importance of humility and warns against speaking against one another. Finally, the sermon concludes with a reflection on the brevity of life and the need to seek the will of the Lord in our plans and decisions. Throughout the sermon, the preacher references various scriptures, such as Job, to highlight the transient nature of life.
Hearing and Doing God's Word - Part 1
By Vance Havner82229:38Word Of GodEZK 33:33MAT 6:33JHN 13:17JAS 1:22In this sermon, the preacher discusses the issue of spectatorship in American culture, particularly in the context of church services. He criticizes the mindset of going to church without any intention of actively engaging with the sermon. The preacher emphasizes the importance of making a commitment and taking action based on the word of God. He also highlights the danger of using drama and unworthy means to convey the gospel message. The sermon references biblical passages, such as the story of Naaman and the words of God to the prophet Ezekiel, to illustrate the need for genuine obedience and understanding of God's will.
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.
John 9
By W.F. Anderson71400:00MAT 5:17JHN 13:172TI 3:16JAS 1:222PE 1:16In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the word of God and its authority in the life of a believer. He references 2 Peter 1:16, where Peter declares that they were eyewitnesses of Jesus' majesty and did not follow cleverly devised myths. The speaker also discusses the significance of the prophetic word and its reliability. He then moves on to talk about the New Testament and how it confirms the authority of the Old Testament. The sermon concludes with a discussion on the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the importance of understanding the Bible's teaching about itself.
Gospel of John (2nd Yr Study 10 of 19, Chap 13 Start)
By G.W. North12954:59Christian LifeJHN 13:3JHN 13:10JHN 13:14JHN 13:17JHN 13:20JHN 13:34In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his experience of preaching in prison and emphasizes the importance of living according to one's gifts. He shares how he had a wonderful congregation but longs for those happy days. The speaker also highlights the need to let the Lord Jesus master every circumstance in life and teaches that actions speak louder than words. He references the Bible verse in John where Jesus washes the disciples' feet as an example of serving others. The sermon concludes with the speaker expressing his farewell and hope to see the audience again.
Have You Looked in the Mirror?
By Theodore Epp0Freedom in ChristSelf-ReflectionPSA 26:2PSA 139:23JHN 13:17ROM 6:23GAL 6:2JAS 1:22Theodore Epp emphasizes the importance of acting upon the Word of God, likening it to looking into a mirror that reflects our true selves. He draws parallels with David's willingness to have God examine his heart, highlighting the need for self-reflection and correction. Epp explains that the 'perfect law of liberty' mentioned in James 1:25 is not a license to sin but a call to live in freedom through Christ's teachings. He reminds us that true happiness comes from doing what we know to be right, as stated in John 13:17.
Spiritual Dangers When We Are Blessed
By Zac Poonen0GEN 13:102SA 15:16ZEP 3:12JHN 6:37JHN 12:32JHN 13:17ROM 8:291CO 9:271CO 11:31REV 12:4Zac Poonen preaches about the dangers that come when the blessing of the Lord is upon our lives and labors. He highlights the risks of spiritual pride, unwillingness to receive correction, and exalting ourselves over others. Poonen emphasizes the importance of becoming increasingly Christlike as the infallible mark of God's blessing, rather than seeking personal glory or admiration. He warns against divisions and splits that can arise in ministry due to uncrucified pride and selfish ambitions, using biblical examples to illustrate the consequences of such behaviors.
Obedience
By W.H. Griffith Thomas0MAT 5:16JHN 13:171CO 15:58GAL 5:22COL 2:101JN 2:6W.H. Griffith Thomas emphasizes the transformative power of understanding the Christian life, stating that knowledge is essential for spiritual growth, protection, and peace. He highlights the importance of putting knowledge into action through character development and service, culminating in a life of blessedness. The sermon underscores the significance of knowing Christ for justification, sanctification, and consecration, leading to a life of obedience, love, and impactful service in the home, church, nation, and the world.
Sincerity of Heart
By J.H. Newman0PSA 51:10MAT 16:24JHN 13:172CO 5:17JAS 1:8John Henry Newman preaches about the importance of not just knowing the teachings of the Gospel, but also actively living them out. He emphasizes that those who are sincere and earnest in their desire to change and follow God's will will find peace and hope in the Gospel. Newman challenges individuals to truly examine their hearts, to reject the love of the world and its pleasures, and to submit to God's transformative discipline in order to become better versions of themselves.
Knowledge… Is the Most Dangerous of Enemies.
By Andrew Murray0Knowledge vs. ActionSpiritual GrowthMAT 7:24JHN 13:17JAS 1:22Andrew Murray emphasizes the dangers of knowledge that does not lead to genuine belief and action. He contrasts knowing with believing, doing, hearing, being, and living, illustrating that mere intellectual assent to spiritual truths is insufficient without heartfelt acceptance and application. Murray warns that knowledge can become a deceptive enemy if it does not transform our character and lead us to live out God's word. True understanding of God's teachings should result in a life that reflects His love and power, rather than just an accumulation of facts. The sermon calls for a deeper engagement with God's word that fosters true spiritual growth and character development.
How Is It Possible That Men Should Delight in What They Do Not Believe…
By Andrew Murray0Knowledge vs. ActionMoral ResponsibilityPRO 1:7MAT 7:24LUK 6:46JHN 13:17ROM 2:131CO 8:1GAL 6:7PHP 4:92TI 3:7JAS 1:22Andrew Murray explores the paradox of individuals finding joy in knowledge they do not genuinely believe or live out. He emphasizes that while the pursuit of knowledge can be pleasurable and enlightening, it becomes dangerous in moral contexts where knowledge of duty exists without corresponding action. This disconnect leads to a blinding of the conscience and self-deception, where individuals feel satisfied with knowledge that ultimately condemns them. Murray stresses the importance of not just teaching but also training, ensuring that knowledge translates into action and character development.
Epistle 321
By George Fox0Faith in ActionGood WorksMAT 26:10JHN 13:17GAL 6:9COL 1:102TH 2:171TI 5:10TIT 2:14TIT 3:8HEB 10:24JAS 1:27George Fox emphasizes the significance of good works in the life of a believer, illustrating that Christ gave Himself to redeem us and purify a people zealous for good deeds. He references various scriptures to highlight the importance of being fruitful in good works, caring for the needy, and practicing pure religion by helping the afflicted. Fox encourages the church to actively engage in acts of kindness and charity, reminding them that faith without works is dead. He concludes by urging believers to not only profess their faith but to live it out through their actions, following the example set by Christ.
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
If ye know these things, happy, etc. - True happiness consists in the knowledge of God, and in obedience to him. A man is not happy because he knows much; but because he receives much of the Divine nature, and is, in all his conduct, conformed to the Divine will. "They who have read many books (says Menu) are more exalted than such as have seldom studied; they who retain what they have read, than forgetful readers; they who fully understand, than such as only remember; and they who perform their known duty, than such as barely know it. Sacred knowledge and devotedness to God are the means by which a man can arrive at beatitude." See Institutes of Menu, c. xii. Inst. 103, 104. For a heathen this saying is very remarkable.
John Gill Bible Commentary
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 (a), , "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.'' (a) Hieros. Beracot, fol. 3. 2.