King James Version

What Does John 13:7 Mean?

John 13:7 in the King James Version says “Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter .” — study this verse from John chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

John 13:7 · KJV

Context

5

After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

6

Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Peter saith: Gr. he saith

7

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

8

Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

9

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Christ's response to Peter's protest introduces the pedagogical principle that divine actions often precede human understanding. The phrase What I do (ἐγὼ ποιῶ/egō poiō) emphasizes Jesus's sovereignty—I am doing this, regardless of your comprehension. The present tense poiō stresses ongoing action with multiple layers of meaning.

The contrast between now (ἄρτι/arti) and hereafter (μετὰ ταῦτα/meta tauta) structures Christian experience: we walk by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Arti indicates the immediate present moment—Peter in his pre-cross confusion cannot grasp what unfolds. Meta tauta (literally 'after these things') points beyond the crucifixion, resurrection, and Pentecost to the Spirit-enlightened understanding that follows.

The verb knowest (οἶδας/oidas) refers to intuitive, perceptive knowledge, while shalt know (γνώσῃ/gnōsē) uses γινώσκω (ginōskō), meaning experiential knowledge gained through relationship. Peter will move from confused observation to participated understanding. This parallels Jesus's earlier words: What I do thou knowest not now applies to the cross itself—disciples flee in confusion, but later understand redemption accomplished.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This exchange occurred within hours of Jesus's betrayal. The disciples remained confused about Jesus's mission despite three years of teaching. They expected Messiah to overthrow Rome and establish David's throne, not die as a criminal. Jesus's cryptic references to death and resurrection (Mark 8:31-33) bewildered them—Peter had even rebuked Jesus for such talk. Here Jesus acknowledges the gap between event and understanding, promising illumination would come 'after these things'—fulfilled when the risen Christ opened their minds to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45) and the Spirit came at Pentecost (John 14:26). The early church treasured this verse as validation for their post-resurrection theological development, understanding depths in Jesus's actions they'd missed at the time.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to trust Christ's actions before understanding His purposes, and how does this apply to suffering or confusion in your life?
  2. How does the promise of future understanding sustain faith during present darkness or theological perplexity?
  3. In what ways has your understanding of Scripture or God's work deepened 'hereafter'—after experiencing what you once merely heard about?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
ἀπεκρίθη1 of 16

“answered”

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

Ἰησοῦς2 of 16

“Jesus”

G2424

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

καὶ3 of 16

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπεν4 of 16

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῷ5 of 16

“unto him”

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

Ὃ6 of 16

“What”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐγὼ7 of 16

“I”

G1473

i, me

ποιῶ8 of 16

“do”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

σὺ9 of 16

“thou”

G4771

thou

οὐκ10 of 16

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

οἶδας11 of 16

“knowest”

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

ἄρτι12 of 16

“now”

G737

just now

γνώσῃ13 of 16

“thou shalt know”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

δὲ14 of 16

“but”

G1161

but, and, etc

μετὰ15 of 16

“hereafter”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

ταῦτα16 of 16
G5023

these things

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 13:7 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 13:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 12:8John 12:16John 14:26James 5:7-11John 13:10-12Habakkuk 2:1-3

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