Devine Scripture

John 13:3

What does John 13:3 mean?

A plain-English look at John 13:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 13:3 means

John stresses Jesus’ self-awareness: the Father has entrusted all things into His hands; Jesus came from God and is returning to God. Sovereignty, not insecurity, moves Him. Knowing who He is and where He is going, He chooses the path of lowly service that follows. The One with all authority does not cling to rank; He uses it to bless. This knowledge also assures the disciples that the events ahead are not a collapse of God’s plan but its fulfillment. The footwashing and, beyond it, the cross are not accidents. They are the outworking of the Father’s commission given into the Son’s hands.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto God,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto God,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Jesus, being conscious that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Jesus knowing that all things the Father hath given to him--into <FI>his<Fi> hands, and that from God he came forth, and unto God he goeth,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Knowing that the Father had given him all things into his hands and that he came from God and goeth to God,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

[Jesus,] knowing that the Father had given him all things into his hands, and that he came out fromGod and was going toGod,

Context

This declaration directly precedes Jesus’ physical act of humbling Himself (verses 4–5). It balances verse 2’s dark note with a brighter truth: despite satanic schemes, the Father’s will governs. The contrast heightens the wonder of what comes next: the Lord with “all things” in His hands will take a towel in His hands. After He washes the disciples’ feet, His conversation with Peter will unpack the meaning of this act (verses 6–10).

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

v.3This passage

v.4riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments; and he took a towel, and girded himself.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 11:27

    All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.

  • John 5:22

    For neither doth the Father judge any man, but he hath given all judgment unto the Son;

  • John 8:42

    Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me.

  • John 7:33

    Jesus therefore said, Yet a little while am I with you, and I go unto him that sent me.

  • John 16:27

    for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from the Father.

  • John 17:5

    And now, Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

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