A NEW COMMANDMENT

Passage: John 13:31-38

Key verse: 34

NIV

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial(A)

31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man(B) is glorified(C) and God is glorified in him.(D) 32 If God is glorified in him,[a] God will glorify the Son in himself,(E) and will glorify him at once.

33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.(F)

34 “A new command(G) I give you: Love one another.(H) As I have loved you, so you must love one another.(I) 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”(J)

36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”(K)

Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now,(L) but you will follow later.”(M)

37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!(N)

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Footnotes
  1. John 13:32 Many early manuscripts do not have If God is glorified in him.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

A New Commandment

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, (A)“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and (B)God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, (C)God will also glorify him in himself, and (D)glorify him at once. 33 Little children, (E)yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just (F)as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 (G)A new commandment (H)I give to you, (I)that you love one another: (J)just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 (K)By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” (L)Jesus answered him, “Where I am going (M)you cannot follow me now, (N)but you will follow afterward.” 37 (O)Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, (P)the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Now is the Son of Man glorified (31-33)

Judas went out to betray Jesus; Jesus' death was at hand. Jesus glorified God by obeying him even to death on the cross. He thus revealed God's love for sinners and God's hatred of sin. Through his obedience, Jesus fulfilled all that God had promised. He revealed God's faithfulness. In this climatic moment, Jesus had one word for us.

2. As I have loved you, love one another (34-35)

Jesus' command is new because Jesus set a new example of love. Love is a greatly misused word. So we must learn love from Jesus. He does not teach us abstract love. He does not teach selfish love. We can prove that we are his disciples only by loving one another as he loved us.

3. You will disown me three times (36-38)

Peter loved Jesus, but he loved himself a little more. Jesus' prediction of Peter's denial became for Peter a way back to Jesus and a way to life.

Prayer: Lord, teach me your love and help me to practice it.

One Word: Love one another