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Joh 13:34. Ἐντολὴν καινήν, a new commandment) The commandment is called new, not so much in respect to the Old Testament, as in respect to the school of Christ; on account of the new measure [standard] established, concerning a love which goes so far as that even life is to be laid down for those who ought to be, or who are, the objects of that love; with which comp. 1Jn 3:16, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” Previously the following after Jesus in His several steps had guided the disciples, and this by implication comprised love [such as He now gives as a new commandment]: but they cannot follow Him now that He is departing from them; therefore the sum of their duty is prescribed to them in this commandment. Comp. as to prayer, ch. Joh 16:24, “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full;” as to giving them the appellation, ‘friends,’ Joh 15:15, “Henceforth I call you not servants, but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father, I have made known unto you;” as to the hatred of the world, ch. Joh 16:4, “These things (as to persecution) have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them.” Thence it is that it is called the law of Christ, Gal 6:2, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Thus it is that the commandment heard from the beginning, and the new commandment, are opposed to one another, 1Jn 2:7-8, “I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment, which ye had from the beginning; again a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in Him and you:” (Joh 13:10) “He that loveth his brother,” etc. Ἐντολή, a commandment [precept, charge, injunction], is moreover the term applied to it, in this sense: inasmuch as it is enjoined, not on slaves, but on freemen. Moreover, at the same time a most sweet taste of its newness is added to this commandment, resulting from the perception of the glory, the mention of which goes before. Moses before his death, more than ever previously, in Deuteronomy,[340] recommended the love of God; so Jesus, before His departure, gives to the disciples a new commandment, that they should cherish mutual love. Thus the second law and the new commandment may be compared with one another.-ἀγαπᾶτε-ἀγαπᾶτε, that ye love-that ye love) This sentiment is twice set forth: first simply, then afterwards with Epitasis [Some augmentation, or emphatic addition, or explanation added. See Appendix on this figure]. A similar instance is that one, “peace [I leave with you:” then with Epitasis], “My peace” ch. Joh 14:27. Comp. Gen 48:5, “Thy two sons-(are) mine: as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine; Psa 27:14, “Wait on the Lord, etc.: wait, I say, on the Lord;” Psa 37:20, “They shall consume; into smoke they shall consume;” Psa 47:7, “Sing praises, etc., sing praises with understanding;” Psa 68:24, “Thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God in the sanctuary;” Psa 118:16, “The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly;” Eze 7:2, “An end, the end is come.”
[340] = “The Second giving of the law,” just as the “New commandment” here-E. and T.