Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadHeinrich Meyer Commentary - John 13:18 - 13:19
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Joh_13:18-19. Οὐ περὶ πάντ . ὑμῶν λέγω ] Namely, this that ye μακάριοι ἐστε , κ . τ . λ . “Est inter vos, qui non erit beatus neque faciet ea,” Augustine. Unnecessarily and inappropriately, Tholuck refers back to Joh_13:10.
ἐγώ ] I for my part, opposed to the divine determination ( ἀλλʼ ἵνα , κ . τ . λ .), according to which, however, the selection of apostles must take place in such a way that the traitor entered into the number of the chosen. In a very arbitrary manner Tholuck gives the pregnant meaning to ἐξελεξ .: whom I peculiarly have chosen.
οἶδα ] I know of what character they are, so that I do not therefore deceive myself, if I do not say of you all, etc.
ἀλλʼ ] is ordinarily taken as the antithesis of οὐ περὶ π . ὑμ . λ ., and is supplemented by τοῦτο γέγονεν (namely, that I cannot affirm, Joh_13:17, of you all); whilst others connect it with ὁ τρώγων , κ . τ . λ ., and ἵνα ἡ γρ . κλ . is taken as an intermediate sentence (Semler, Kuinoel; admitted also by Lücke). The former view has no justification in the context, which suggests a τοῦτο γέγονεν just as little as in 1Co_2:9; the latter does not correspond to the importance which this very sentence of purpose has in the connection. The only supplement in accordance with the text is (comp. Joh_9:3, Joh_1:8): ἐξελεξάμην αὐτούς : But I made the choice in obedience to the divine destiny, in accordance with which the Scripture (that which stands written, comp. Joh_19:37; Mar_12:10; Luk_14:21) could not but be fulfilled, etc. Comp. Joh_6:70-71. The passage, freely cited from the original, is Psa_41:13, where the theocratic sufferer (who is unknown; not David, whom the superscription names) utters a saying which, according to divine determination, was to find its Messianic historical fulfilment in the treason of Judas.
ὁ τρώγ . μετʼ ἐμοῦ τ . ἄρτ .] Deviating from the original ( àåÉëÅì ìÇçÀîÄé ), and from the LXX., yet without substantial alteration of the sense (intimacy of table-companionship, which, according to Hellenic views also, aggravated the detestable character of the crime; see Pflugk, ad Eur. Hec. 793), and involuntarily suggesting itself, since Judas actually ate with Jesus ( τρώγ ., Joh_6:56-58).
ἐπῇρεν ] has lifted up. Note the preterite; Judas, so near to an act of treason, is like him who has already lifted up his heel, in order to administer a kick to another. To explain the figure from the tripping of the foot in wrestling ( πτερνίζειν ), in the sense of overreaching, is less appropriate both to the words and to the facts (Jesus was not overreached).
Joh_13:19. ἀπʼ ἄρτι ] not now, but as always in the N. T. (Joh_1:51, Joh_14:7; Mat_23:39; Mat_26:29; Mat_26:64; Rev_14:13): from this time forward. Previously, He has not yet definitely disclosed it.
πιστεύσητε , κ . τ . λ .] Ye believe that I am He (the Messiah), and that no other is to be expected; see on Joh_8:24. How easily might the disciples have come to vacillate in their faith through the success of the treason of Judas, if He had not foreseen and foretold it as lying in the connection of the divine destiny! Comp. Joh_14:29. But by means of this predictive declaration, what might have become ground of doubt becomes ground for faith.