The “ New ” Commandment John 13:31-35

31 When he went out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you for a short time: you will look for me, and just as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going you are not able to come,’ now I also say to you.

34 I give to you a new commandment, that you should love one another, just as I loved you so that you also would love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

context Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet as an example of loving and humble service (John 13:1-17) Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet as an example of loving and humble service (John 13:1-17) – They were to love one another in the same way (function)

context Jesus the forewarned them that one of them would betray him (John 13:18-19) Jesus the forewarned them that one of them would betray him (John 13:18-19) – By doing this he demonstrates he is fully aware and in control of what will happen

context NB the specific location of the ‘new’ commandment NB the specific location of the ‘new’ commandment Forewarning of Judas’s betrayal (13:18-30) The ‘new’ commandment (13:31-35) Forewarning of Peter’s denial (13:36-38)

context Both fail to love as Jesus commanded Both fail to love as Jesus commanded – Peter will be forgiven and restored (John 21)

context The ‘new’ commandment is part of a larger discourse (John 13:31- 17:26) The ‘new’ commandment is part of a larger discourse (John 13:31- 17:26) As such it introduces an important issue As such it introduces an important issue – “the problem of the personal pronoun”

“the problem of the personal pronoun” The pronoun “you” (singular or plural) refers to the audience being addressed by the speaker The pronoun “you” (singular or plural) refers to the audience being addressed by the speaker Statements using this pronoun do not necessarily apply to anyone else Statements using this pronoun do not necessarily apply to anyone else – “I want you to have this” – “I will give you X, if …”

“the problem of the personal pronoun” Too often we ignore this pronoun when we are reading scripture Too often we ignore this pronoun when we are reading scripture We simply assume that “you” means “us” We simply assume that “you” means “us”

“the problem of the personal pronoun” Yet this may not be the case Yet this may not be the case – “Do you know what I have done to you?” (John 13:12) – “I tell you this now, before it takes place, that when it takes place you may know that I am he.” (John 13:19; cf. 14:29)

“the problem of the personal pronoun” Yet this may not be the case Yet this may not be the case – “They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering a service to God.” (John 16:2) – “…I did not say these things to you from the beginning because I was with you.” (John 16:4)

“the problem of the personal pronoun” At other times the referent is ‘extended’ At other times the referent is ‘extended’ – “Has not Moses given you the law?” (John 7:19) – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word” (14:23) “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word” (14:23)

the ‘new’ commandment What does this mean for our understanding of John 13:31-35? What does this mean for our understanding of John 13:31-35? Do we have good reasons for concluding this applies to us as well? Do we have good reasons for concluding this applies to us as well?

the ‘new’ commandment Consider 1 John 4:19-21 Consider 1 John 4:19-21

the ‘new’ commandment 19 “We love, because he first loved us. 20 If anyone should say he loves God and hates his brother, he is a liar. For the one hating his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 and this is the commandment we have from him, the one loving God also should love his brother.”

the ‘new’ commandment In 1 John the commandment is extended beyond the original group of disciples In 1 John the commandment is extended beyond the original group of disciples John indicates this applies to all disciples John indicates this applies to all disciples

the ‘new’ commandment Thus we too have been commanded to love one another Thus we too have been commanded to love one another Jesus loved his disciples (including us) so that we could and would love one another Jesus loved his disciples (including us) so that we could and would love one another – “Just as I loved you so that you would love one another” (13:34)

the ‘new’ commandment This love is to be the identifying feature of Jesus’ disciples This love is to be the identifying feature of Jesus’ disciples Is this how people know that we are his disciples? Is this how people know that we are his disciples?