John 13:20
What does John 13:20 mean?
A plain-English look at John 13:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 13:20 means
Jesus declares that whoever receives those He sends receives Him, and whoever receives Him receives the One who sent Him. He links Himself, the Father, and His sent ones in a chain of representation. This elevates the mission of the apostles and, by extension, gospel messengers. Hospitality or rejection toward them is ultimately toward Christ and God. In the looming crisis, they must remember their calling retains divine backing. Their authority is delegated, not self-made; their message and manner must align with the Sender they represent.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Truly I say to you, He who takes to his heart anyone whom I send, takes me to his heart; and he who so takes me, takes him who sent me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862verily, verily, I say to you, he who is receiving whomsoever I may send, doth receive me; and he who is receiving me, doth receive Him who sent me.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Amen, amen, I say to you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me: and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Verily, verily, I say to you, He who receives whomsoever I shall send receives me; and he that receives me receives him who has sent me.
Context
This saying provides a positive counterpoint before the painful revelation in verse 21. It affirms the dignity of discipleship and mission even as Jesus prepares them for betrayal among their own ranks. With that affirmation in place, the narrative will turn to Jesus’ inner turmoil and the identification of the betrayer (verses 21–26), followed by Judas’s departure (verses 27–30).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:8
Therefore he that rejecteth, rejecteth not man, but God, who giveth his Holy Spirit unto you.
- Matthew 10:40
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
- Matthew 25:40
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.
- Galatians 4:14
and that which was a temptation to you in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but ye received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
- Luke 10:16
He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me.
- Mark 9:37
Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
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