John 13:16
What does John 13:16 mean?
A plain-English look at John 13:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 13:16 means
Jesus adds a solemn saying: “A servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him.” The maxim undercuts pride. If the Master embraces humility, His servants cannot claim exemption. Likewise, messengers carry their sender’s character as well as His message. The saying also dignifies service—imitating the Lord is true greatness. For the apostles, it means their mission must mirror Jesus’ lowly love. For all disciples, it checks ambition and self-importance, rooting community life in the Master’s way rather than the world’s pecking order.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Verily, verily, I say unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Verily, verily, I say unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Truly I say to you, A servant is not greater than his lord; and he who is sent is not greater than the one who sent him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862verily, verily, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his lord, nor an apostle greater than he who sent him;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Amen, amen, I say to you: The servant is not greater than his lord: neither is the apostle greater than he that sent him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Verily, verily, I say to you, The bondman is not greater than his lord, nor the sent greater than he who has sent him.
Context
This principle directly supports the command to imitate Jesus’ example (verses 14–15) and prepares for the promise in verse 17 that blessing comes in obedience. The emphasis on being “sent” will broaden in verse 20, where receiving those Jesus sends equals receiving Him. Before that, however, Jesus will speak of Scripture’s fulfillment in a betrayer among them (verse 18), tempering their expectations with sober realism.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 3:5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
- Matthew 10:24
A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.
- Luke 6:40
The disciple is not above his teacher: but every one when he is perfected shall be as his teacher.
- John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
- John 15:20
Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
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