John 13:7
What does John 13:7 mean?
A plain-English look at John 13:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 13:7 means
Jesus tells Peter that he does not understand now, but he will understand afterward. There is a timing to spiritual insight. Some lessons can only be grasped in light of the cross, resurrection, and the gift of the Spirit. For the moment, Peter is called to trust Jesus’ wisdom. The footwashing is a sign whose full meaning will bloom later, when they see how their Master serves them to the uttermost. Jesus’ gentle reply neither shames Peter nor abandons him; it invites patience and faith. The Lord reserves the right to act beyond our current understanding, assuring future clarity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Jesus, answering, said to him, What I do is not clear to you now, but it will be clear to you in time to come.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus answered and said to him, `That which I do thou hast not known now, but thou shalt know after these things;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus answered and said to him: What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus answered and said to him, What I do thou dost not know now, but thou shalt know hereafter.
Context
This answer comes directly in response to Peter’s startled question (verse 6) and sets up the tension that will climax in verse 8. Peter will move from puzzled to adamant refusal, forcing Jesus to declare the necessity of being washed by Him. After that, Jesus will clarify the distinction between overall cleansing and ongoing washing (verse 10), with a sober aside about a coming betrayer (verse 11).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Daniel 12:8
And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things?
- John 13:10
Jesus saith to him, He that is bathed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
- John 12:16
These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
- John 14:26
But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.
- Jeremiah 32:24
Behold, the mounds, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence; and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.
- Jeremiah 32:43
And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate, without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
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