What does John 13:7 mean?

Explanation

John 13:7 features a statement made by Jesus to one of his disciples, Peter, during the Last Supper, a pivotal moment in the Christian narrative.

In this verse, Jesus responds to Peter's confusion and resistance to having his feet washed by Jesus.

The act of foot washing was a common practice in the culture of that time, typically performed by servants for guests as a form of hospitality and cleanliness.

Jesus, taking the position of a servant, reverses the social norms, which bewilders Peter.

The literal meaning of this verse speaks to the act of Jesus washing Peter's feet and Peter not understanding why his master is performing such a service.

On a deeper level, the verse implies that Jesus' actions and the events to come (his suffering, death, and resurrection) are part of a divine plan that the disciples cannot yet comprehend.

The phrase "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter" indicates a future revelation of understanding that will unfold with time.

Historical Context

The verse comes from the Gospel of John, written approximately between 90 and 110 A.D.

It is an account of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. The Last Supper is traditionally perceived as a Passover meal, aligning Jesus' crucifixion with the Passover festival, a pivotal event in Jewish tradition commemorating the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.

During Jesus' time, Palestine was under Roman occupation. Social hierarchy and ritual purity were significant aspects of the culture. Foot washing was reserved for the lowest servants, and for Jesus to take on this role was a significant subversion of social expectations.

Theological Insights

Different Christian traditions have interpreted this verse in various ways. In Catholic theology, the act of foot washing is viewed as a precursor to the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, and a symbol of Jesus' call to service and humility.

In Protestant theology, the passage may emphasize the importance of following Jesus' example in serving others, regardless of one's status or position.

Reformed traditions might focus on God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His plan in ways that are not immediately apparent to human understanding.

Practical Applications

John 13:7 challenges individuals to accept that there might be events in life that they do not understand at the moment but to trust that there may be a greater purpose or plan at work.

It calls for humility and service, encouraging believers to perform acts of kindness and service without seeking recognition or understanding the full implications.

Cross-References

• John 13:12-17: Jesus explains the significance of washing the disciples' feet and calls them to follow his example of service.
• Philippians 2:5-7: Paul talks about Jesus' humility and his taking on the form of a servant.
• Isaiah 55:8-9: These verses emphasize that God’s ways are higher than human ways, and His understanding is beyond human comprehension.

Language Study

In the original Greek text of the New Testament, key phrases in this verse include:

• "What I do" (Greek: ἃ ἐγὼ ποιῶ): The verb 'ποιῶ' (poio) is in the present tense, indicating an ongoing action.
• "thou knowest not" (Greek: οὐκ οἶδας): The word 'οἶδας' (oidas) is from the verb 'οἶδα' (eido), meaning 'to know', 'to understand', or 'to perceive'.

The negation 'οὐκ' (ouk) indicates that Peter does not have knowledge or understanding of the situation.

• "thou shalt know" (Greek: γνώσῃ): This future verb comes from 'γινώσκω' (ginosko), which means 'to come to know,' 'to recognize,' 'to perceive'.

It implies a future gaining of knowledge or awareness.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Foot washing in many ancient cultures was an act of hospitality, similar to Biblical times, but having the master or leader perform this act would have been unheard of in most societies.

The inversion of roles here may be compared to stories in other religions or myths where deities or heroes perform unexpected acts of humility or service, which often carry a moral or spiritual lesson for the audience.

Scientific Perspectives

While John 13:7 does not directly intersect with scientific perspectives, modern psychology might analyze the cognitive dissonance experienced by Peter when faced with a situation that challenged his expectations and understanding.

The development of understanding over time as mentioned in the verse parallels the concept that learning and comprehension can be iterative and may require a change in perspective.

commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of this verse:

• Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes that Jesus, in his divine wisdom, acts in ways that may be mysterious to us.

We should submit to his sovereignty even when we don't fully understand his purposes.

• The MacArthur Bible Commentary notes that Jesus, in performing this service, exhibited the full extent of His love, demonstrating that no sacrifice was too great when it came to serving others.
• According to the IVP New Testament Commentary Series, Jesus’ message to Peter is that the servant is not above his master, and thus Peter was to follow Christ’s example of humility and service, even without yet grasping the full theological significance of Jesus’ action.