Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 13

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Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 13


Verse Commentaries:



Chapter Level Commentary:
John 13

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

UBS4 NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
Washing the Disciples' Feet The Master Becomes a Servant The Last Supper Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet The Washing of Feet Joh_13:1-11 Joh_13:1-11 Joh_13:1-11 Joh_13:1 Joh_13:1 Joh_13:2-6 Joh_13:2-5 Joh_13:6-11 Joh_13:7 Joh_13:8 a Joh_13:8 b Joh_13:9 We Also Must Serve Joh_13:10-11 Joh_13:12-20 Joh_13:12-30 Joh_13:12-20 Joh_13:12-17 Joh_13:12-16 Joh_13:17-20 Joh_13:18-20 Jesus Foretells His Betrayal Jesus Predicts His Betrayal The Treachery of Judas Foretold Joh_13:21-30 Joh_13:21-30 Joh_13:21 Joh_13:21-30 Joh_13:22-24 Joh_13:25 Joh_13:26-29 Joh_13:30 The New Commandment The New Commandment The New Commandment Farewell Discourses Joh_13:31-35 Joh_13:31-35 Joh_13:31-35 Joh_13:31-35 Joh_13:31-35 Peter's Denial Foretold Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial Joh_13:36-38 Joh_13:36-38 Joh_13:36-38 Joh_13:36 a Joh_13:36-38 Joh_13:36 b Joh_13:37 Joh_13:38 READING CYCLE THREE

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.



CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Joh_13:1-38

A. John's Gospel concludes Jesus' signs with chapter 12. Chapter 13 starts the final passion week.



B. The NASB Study Bible's footnote makes the interesting comment "the Greek noun agapç ('love') and the verb agapaô ('love') occur only eight times in chs. 1-12 but 31 times in chs. 13-17."



C. John does not record the Lord's Supper (Eucharist) as do the Synoptics. He does give the only account of the dialogue in the Upper Room that night (chapters 13-17, which is a significant percentage of John's Gospel. It, therefore, must reveal Jesus' person and work in powerful new ways). Some see this omission as a deliberate attempt to downplay the early church's growing emphasis of sacramentalism. John never elaborates on Jesus' baptism or the Lord's Supper.



D. The historical context of John 13 can be seen in Luk_22:24. The disciples were still arguing over who was the greatest.



E. The physical setting of chapters 13-17 is an upper room in Jerusalem (or possibly chpts. 15-17 on the way to Gethsemane, cf. Joh_14:31), possibly John Mark's home, the night Jesus was betrayed by Judas.



F. There seem to be two distinct purposes in Jesus' act of footwashing.

1. Joh_13:6-11 foreshadow His work on our behalf on the cross.

2. Joh_13:12-20 are an object lesson concerning humility (in light of Luk_22:24).



DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. Why does John not record the actual ritual Lord's Supper?

2. Why did Jesus wash the disciples' feet? Should we wash one another's feet?

3. Why did Jesus choose Judas to be His disciple?

4. How can one really know that he is a Christian?