Devine Scripture

John 13:1

What does John 13:1 mean?

A plain-English look at John 13:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 13:1 means

John opens the scene by pointing to Jesus’ full awareness of His approaching “hour.” He is not a victim of surprise but moves toward His departure to the Father deliberately. The accent falls on love: having set His affection on “his own” who are in the world, He loves them “unto the end”—to the fullest extent and to the final moment. This explains everything that follows. The footwashing, the warnings, and even the cross flow from covenant love. His departure is not abandonment; it is a return to the Father that will secure their good. The verse frames the coming actions as the expression of divine, steadfast love under the shadow of Passover.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now before the feast of the Passover, it was clear to Jesus that the time had come for him to go away from this world to the Father. Having once had love for those in the world who were his, his love for them went on to the end.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour hath come, that he may remove out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own who <FI>are<Fi> in the world--to the end he loved them.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Before the festival day of the pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out of this world to the Father: having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus, knowing that his hour had come that he should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, loved them to the end.

Context

This opening statement functions as the heading for the whole upper-room narrative. Before any action is described, John tells us why Jesus will do what He does: love that perseveres to the end, in the face of imminent departure. Immediately after this, the presence of betrayal is introduced (verse 2), making the love all the more striking. The timing “before the feast of the passover” locates the events in Jesus’ final hours. This verse prepares us to read the washing of feet, the betrayal announcement, and the new commandment as flowing from a conscious, purposeful Savior.

v.1This passage

v.2And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 6:11

    And we desire that each one of you may show the same diligence unto the fulness of hope even to the end:

  • Matthew 26:2

    Ye know that after two days the passover cometh, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified.

  • Romans 8:37

    Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

  • John 18:4

    Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?

  • 1 John 4:19

    We love, because he first loved us.

  • Luke 22:53

    When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth your hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

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