Saved ONLY if you OBEY God's commandments...

John 13:7King James Version (KJV)

Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter

John 13

V 1–17: LESSON FROM LOVE Facing betrayal by Judas after the Lord’s Supper, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet and shows them that this is what love will do. The Master serves the servants, as He loves them ‘to the end’. He explains to Peter what it means to be made clean. He urges His disciples to follow His example by serving others. V 18–30: BREAD FOR BETRAYER Jesus announces that He will be betrayed by one of His disciples. He knows that it is Judas Iscariot and passes him the piece of bread, as a sign that he must go and do his evil deed quickly. Satan takes over Judas. He goes out into the night on his evil mission, which is not yet apparent to the disciples. V 31–32: GLORIFYING OF GOD The glorifying of God is, and will be, achieved in the glorifying of the Son of Man, the Lord Jesus Christ. V 33–35: DEMONSTRATION OF DISCIPLESHIP Jesus emphasises that the demonstration of true discipleship is shown in Christians really loving one another, with the same holy and self-sacrificing love that He has shown to them. V 36–38: FORETELLING OF FAILURE Despite Peter’s spontaneous and extravagant claim that he will lay down his life for Jesus, Jesus tells him that He knows that Peter will deny Him three times very soon.

■ Tabernacle Types:

■ Matt. 26:6–16: 
The anointing at Bethany (cf. Mark 14:3–9; John 12:1–8) is related by John as taking place six days before Passover, indicating the one version is topical and the other...

■ Introduction to the Gospel According to John: The Gospel of John and the Other Gospels. John’s gospel is noticeably distinct from the other three gospels. In attempting to explain the differences,...

■ John 6:71 King James Version (KJV)

He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray HIM, being one of the twelve.

This is the first occasion in John where Peter and Judas appear in contrast (cf. vv. 68, 69). See also chapters 13 and 18.

■  Foot Washing: 

 13:10 Some denominations see the example of foot washing as a third ordinance of the church. Although early Christians washed feet as an act of hospitality (1 Tim. 5:10), they never...

■ John 13:7:

We see here, that until Peter has been baptized with the blessed Holy Spirit of God and receives the mind of Christ, he will not understand why Jesus did this.

Many things the Lord Jesus wants us to do, we do not fully understand at the time we are doing them. We must just do as He says, without question. At a later time, looking back we will understand the why of it. This is what Jesus says here to Peter.

■ Knowest - shalt know [οιδας - γνωση] . The A. V. ignores the distinction between the two words. "Thou knowest not" [ουκ οιδας] , of absolute and complete knowledge. Thou shalt learn or perceive [γνωση] , of knowledge gained by experience. See on 2 24.

Hereafter [μετα ταυτα] . Literally, after these things.

■ Understanding:

God-given perception of the nature and meaning of things, resulting in sound judgment and decision-making; in particular the ability to discern spiritual truth and to apply it to human disposition and conduct.

The source of understanding

Understanding belongs to God Job 12:13;Ps 136:5 See also Ps 147:5; Pr 3:19; Jer 51:15; Jer 15:15 God’s understanding gives rise to compassion.

Understanding is a gift from God Pr 2:6; Isa 29:24 See also 1Ki 4:29; Job 38:36; Isa 32:3-4; Da 1:17; Da 2:21,30; Da 9:22; Ro 15:21; Isa 52:15

Understanding spiritual truth

Understanding truth about God 1Jn 5:20 See also Pr 2:5; Pr 9:10; Isa 40:21,28; Isa 43:10;Jer 9:24; Jn 10:38; Ro 1:20

Understanding God’s purposes Dt 9:6 God’s reason for choosing Israel; 1Ch 28:19 God’s plans for the temple; Job 34:10-11 the reason for Job’s suffering; Ps 73:16-17God’s dealings with the wicked; Isa 57:1-2God’s purpose in taking the righteous; Jer 9:12-13 the reason for the exile God’s purpose in bringing judgment: Jer 23:20; Jer 30:24

Da 8:15-16 God’s purposes in history God’s will regarding his people: Eph 5:17; Col 1:9

Understanding God’s word Ps 119:73; Lk 24:45 See also Ne 8:8,12; Ps 119:27,125; Mt 24:15 pp Mk 13:14; Lk 24:27; Ac 8:30-31; Jn 12:16

Understanding Jesus Christ’s teaching Mt 13:11 pp Mk 4:11 pp Lk 8:10; Mt 16:12; Mt 17:13; Mk 4:33; Mk 8:17; Jn 2:22

Understanding God’s salvation Eph 1:18 See also Isa 41:20; Ro 13:11; Eph 1:9; Eph 3:4,17-19; Col 2:2; Phm 6

Human understanding is limited

Job 36:26; Job 37:5; Pr 3:5 See also Job 26:14; Job 36:29; Job 42:3; Pr 20:24; Ecc 11:5; Isa 40:13-14; Isa 55:8-9; 1Co 13:12

Gaining understanding

Through faith Heb 11:3 See also Mt 16:8-9

Through God’s Spirit 1Co 2:12 See also 1Ch 28:12; Job 32:8; Isa 11:2; Jn 14:26; Jn 16:13-15; 1Co 2:14; Eph 1:17

Through God’s word Ps 119:130 See also Dt 4:6; Ps 111:10; Da 9:2; Jn 20:9

Through wise teaching Ps 49:3 See also Job 8:8-10; Pr 1:2; Pr 4:1; Pr 15:32; Ecc 12:9

Lack of understanding of spiritual truth

Not knowing God Isa 1:3 See also Dt 32:28-29; Isa 27:11; Jer 4:22; Ro 10:19; Dt 32:21

Lack of understanding due to hardened hearts Dt 29:4; Isa 6:9-10 See also Job 17:4;Isa 44:18; Isa 48:8; Jer 5:21; Eze 12:2; Mt 13:13-15 pp Mk 4:11-12 pp Lk 8:10; Mk 6:52;Jn 12:40; Ac 28:26-27; Eph 4:18

Not understanding God’s purposes Ps 82:5;Ps 92:6-7; Isa 5:13; Isa 19:12; Mic 4:12; Lk 12:56; 1Co 2:8

Not understanding Jesus Christ’s teachingMt 13:19 By Jesus Christ’s disciples: Mk 4:13;Mk 9:32; Jn 4:32-33; Jn 8:27; Jn 11:13; Jn 16:18

Lk 2:50 by Jesus Christ’s parents By some Jews: Jn 2:20-21; Jn 6:51-52; Jn 8:43

Jn 4:11 by the Samaritan woman

Understanding people and situations

1Ch 12:32; Est 1:13; Job 13:1; Pr 20:5; Jn 7:24

Understanding languages

Ge 11:7; Dt 28:49; Ps 81:5; Isa 36:11; Ac 2:6;1Co 14:2

Those who have understanding

The wise Dt 32:29; 1Ki 4:29; Pr 8:14; Hos 14:9

Good leaders Jer 3:15 See also Dt 1:13; 1Ch 22:12; 2Ch 30:22; Pr 28:2 Bad leaders, by contrast, lack judgment: Pr 28:16; Isa 56:11

The results of understanding

Seeking God Ps 14:2 See also Ps 53:2; Ro 3:11

Obedience Ps 119:34 See also Ne 10:28; Ps 32:9; Ps 119:100; Pr 28:7

Taking the right path Pr 2:9 See also Ps 119:104; Pr 15:21

Life Ps 119:144; Pr 16:22

Sensible living Job 28:28 avoidance of evil;Pr 11:12 slowness to criticise; Pr 12:11conscientious labour; Pr 13:15 winning favour; Pr 17:27 showing restraint and an even temper; Jas 3:13 good deeds and humility

The results of a lack of understanding

Foolish behaviour Pr 6:32 committing adultery; Pr 7:7 being easily seduced; Pr 17:18 making rash commitments; Pr 18:1-2selfishness and self-importance; Pr 24:30-31idleness leading to ruin; Hos 4:11Drunkenness clouds understanding.

Death Pr 10:21; Pr 21:16; Hos 4:14

■  Self-Denial:

The willingness to deny oneself possessions or status, in order to grow in holiness and commitment to God. This practice is commended and illustrated by Jesus Christ himself, and underlies Christian fellowship within the church.

The wisdom of self-denial

Pr 23:20-21 See also Pr 25:16

Examples of self-denial in order to put God first

Da 1:8; Heb 11:25 See also Lev 23:29; Jer 35:6; Da 10:3; Lk 1:15; Lk 7:33 pp Mt 11:18

Self-denial is a requirement of following Jesus Christ

Mt 16:24 pp Mk 8:34 pp Lk 9:23 Ac 21:13;Php 3:7; 1Pe 2:11 See also Mt 5:29; Mt 6:10;Mt 9:9 pp Mk 2:13-14 pp Lk 5:27-28 the calling of Matthew; Mt 10:37-38 pp Lk 14:26-27 the cost of being a disciple; Mt 18:8 ppMk 9:43; Mt 19:21 pp Lk 18:22 the rich young man; Mt 19:27 pp Mk 10:28 pp Lk 18:28 Peter left everything to follow Jesus Christ; Mt 19:29 pp Mk 10:29-30 pp Lk 18:29-30 the rewards of self-denial for the sake of the gospel; Lk 5:11; Lk 14:33; Lk 21:34; Ac 20:24; Ro 6:2,6,11; Ro 8:13; Ro 12:1; Ro 13:14; 1Co 6:12; 1Co 9:25-27; 2Co 8:5 the example of the Macedonian churches; Gal 2:20; Gal 5:16,23; Col 3:3,5; 2Ti 2:21; Tit 2:12-13; Jas 4:7; 1Pe 4:2

Self-denial for the sake of others

Ru 2:11; Php 2:4 Esther put her own life at risk for the sake of her people See also Ex 32:32; Est 4:16 Self-denial for the sake of those weak in their faith: Ro 14:21; Ro 15:1;1Co 8:13; 1Co 9:23

1Co 10:24,33; 1Co 12:15; Eph 4:2; Eph 5:21;Php 2:17,20-21 the example of Timothy; Col 1:24; 2Ti 2:10; Tit 3:2; 1Pe 3:8; 1Pe 5:5

Self-denial and the example of Jesus Christ

Mt 26:39 pp Mk 14:36 pp Lk 22:42 2Co 8:9See also Ps 40:7; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; Jn 13:1-17; Ro 15:3; Eph 5:1-2; Php 2:5-8

Saved ONLY if you OBEY God's commandments:

"Why do you ask ME about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments."

For this is the love of God, that we keep HIS commandments: and HIS commandments are not grievous...

JESUS said unto him, Thou shalt love the LORD thy GOD with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets...

He that saith, I know HIM, and keepeth not HIS commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

For as the body without the Spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also...

And why call ye ME, LORD, LORD, and do not the things which I say?

Not every one that saith unto ME, LORD, LORD, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of MY FATHER which is in heaven.

Many will say to ME in that day, LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in thy NAME? and in thy NAME have cast out devils? and in thy NAME done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from ME, ye that work iniquity...

Matthew 19:17 + 1 John 5:3 +Matthew 22:36-40 + James 2:26 + 1 John 2:4 + Luke 6:46 + Matthew 7:21-23 King James Version (KJV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" (James 1:5)