King James Version

What Does John 13:1 Mean?

John 13:1 in the King James Version says “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unt... — study this verse from John chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

John 13:1 · KJV


Context

1

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

2

And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;

3

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse opens Jesus' Upper Room discourse with a profound statement: knowing 'his hour was come', He loved His own 'unto the end' (Greek 'eis telos', meaning both 'to the uttermost' and 'to the end of time'). This introduces the full extent of Christ's love demonstrated at the cross. The Passover timing is deliberate—Christ, our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), will be sacrificed. 'His own' emphasizes the elect, those given to Him by the Father.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

John chapters 13-17 occur during the Last Supper on Passover eve (Nisan 14). First-century Jews celebrated Passover remembering Egypt's deliverance; Jesus transforms it into a memorial of greater redemption through His blood.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing Christ loved you 'to the uttermost' impact your security in salvation?
  2. What does it mean that Jesus loved His disciples fully while knowing one would betray Him?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 34 words
Πρὸ1 of 34

before

G4253

"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to

δὲ2 of 34

Now

G1161

but, and, etc

τῷ3 of 34

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἑορτῆς4 of 34

the feast

G1859

a festival

τῷ5 of 34

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πάσχα6 of 34

of the passover

G3957

the passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it)

εἰδὼς7 of 34

knew

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

τῷ8 of 34

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς9 of 34

when Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ὅτι10 of 34

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐλήλυθεν11 of 34

was come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

αὐτούς12 of 34

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τῷ13 of 34

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὥρα14 of 34

hour

G5610

an "hour" (literally or figuratively)

ἵνα15 of 34

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

μεταβῇ16 of 34

he should depart

G3327

to change place

ἐκ17 of 34

out of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῷ18 of 34

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμῳ19 of 34

the world

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

τούτου20 of 34

this

G5127

of (from or concerning) this (person or thing)

πρὸς21 of 34

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τῷ22 of 34

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατέρα23 of 34

the Father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἠγάπησεν24 of 34

having loved

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

τῷ25 of 34

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἰδίους26 of 34

his own

G2398

pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate

τῷ27 of 34

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν28 of 34

were in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ29 of 34

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμῳ30 of 34

the world

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

εἰς31 of 34

unto

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τέλος32 of 34

the end

G5056

properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e., (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitel

ἠγάπησεν33 of 34

having loved

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

αὐτούς34 of 34

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 13:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 13:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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