What does John 13:17 mean?

Explanation

John 13:17 is a verse that captures the essence of Jesus' teaching on servanthood and obedience.

At the literal level, Jesus is addressing His disciples, telling them that knowledge alone of what is good and right isn't enough; the blessing comes from actually doing those things.

The deeper meaning here is about the connection between understanding Jesus' teachings and putting them into action.

It underscores the Christian belief that true happiness and fulfillment stem from living out the principles that Jesus taught, not merely acknowledging them.

In a broader sense, this reflects the biblical theme that wisdom and understanding should transform into practical, real-life decisions and actions.

Historical Context

This verse is part of the Gospel of John, which is traditionally believed to have been written by John the apostle.

It falls within the narrative of the Last Supper, a pivotal occasion when Jesus ate with His disciples just before His crucifixion.

During this event, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, an act of extreme humility and servanthood.

After performing this service, Jesus taught His disciples about the importance of serving others.

Therefore, this verse carries the deep impression of the living example set by Jesus and His emphasis on humble service as a cornerstone of His teachings.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, there are several viewpoints to consider:

• Protestant theology often emphasizes faith resulting in good works, suggesting that the happiness mentioned in the verse is a byproduct of living out one's faith.
• Catholic theology may cite this verse to support the importance of performing acts of service and charity as expressions of one's faith and love for God.
• Liberation theology could interpret this as a call to action for social justice, where knowing the plights of the oppressed comes with the responsibility to advocate for change.
• Spiritual formation traditions may see this as an essential element of discipleship, where the knowing is for transforming one's life to be more like Christ.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, John 13:17 encourages believers to:

• Engage in acts of service as part of their daily lives, following the example set by Jesus.
• Reflect on their understanding of Christian teachings and assess whether they are being put into practice.
• Recognize that true contentment comes from the application of one's beliefs, not just from intellectual assent.

Cross-References

• James 1:22: "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
• Matthew 7:24: "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:"
• Luke 6:47-48: "Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:"
• James 2:17: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

Language Study

In the original Greek, the word "happy" (εὐδαίμων - "eudaimon") carries the meaning of being blessed or fortunate, which is not just a temporary feeling of happiness but also a state of well-being and flourishing.

This word choice reflects a deeper, spiritual joy rather than just a temporary emotion.

The phrase "if ye do them" uses the Greek verb ποιέω (poieō), which means "to do" or "to make." This reflects an active, ongoing practice of the teachings, not merely a one-time action.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient religions and myths, there is a recurring theme of knowledge being coupled with action.

For example, in Confucianism, wisdom is not only knowing the right thing but also doing it.

Similarly, in certain strands of Hinduism, dharma (righteous duty) must be lived out.

Jesus' teaching parallels these concepts but is set apart by its foundation in His own example of humble service, which was radical in the cultural context of the Roman Empire where status and power were highly valued.

Scientific Perspectives

While science typically does not comment directly on scripture, there is related psychological research on topics such as prosocial behavior and happiness.

Studies have shown that acts of service and giving often lead to increased happiness for the giver, known as the "helper's high." This resonates with the idea in John 13:17 that happiness comes from doing good deeds, suggesting a convergence between the teachings of the Bible and modern psychological understanding.

commentaries

Commentators offer various insights into this verse:

• Matthew Henry's commentary highlights the blessing comes in the practice of what we know to be duty.
• The Expositor's Greek Testament notes the deeper significance of the joy found in the imitation of Christ.
• William Barclay points to the way Jesus lays down the general principle that it is not enough to know what is right; we must do it.

Each of these commentators emphasizes in their own way the essential harmony between knowledge and action as taught by Jesus and underlines the transformative power this principle has for an individual's life.