John 13 16

John 13:16 kjv

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

John 13:16 nkjv

Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.

John 13:16 niv

Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

John 13:16 esv

Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

John 13:16 nlt

I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message.

John 13 verses

John 13 16 Meaning

John 13:16 declares a foundational principle concerning authority and humility, rooted in the relationship between a sender and a sent one, or a master and a servant. It conveys that no subordinate or delegated individual can surpass the status, authority, or significance of the one who sent or commanded them. This statement encapsulates the necessity of humble service and the proper understanding of delegated authority, calling those who serve Christ to emulate His own servanthood rather than seeking superiority. It sets a boundary on ambition, emphasizing that true spiritual influence flows from faithfully representing the master, not from independent elevation.

John 13 16 Context

John 13:16 follows immediately after Jesus' symbolic act of washing the disciples' feet. This profound demonstration of servanthood (Jn 13:1-11) deeply unsettled the disciples, particularly Peter. Jesus then explains the meaning of His action (Jn 13:12-15), clarifying that it serves as an example for His followers to emulate. "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet" (Jn 13:14). Verse 16 builds on this by providing the underlying principle that validates His example: the servant is not above the master. It establishes a theological foundation for why disciples, though called to significant work and ministry, must maintain an attitude of humility and subordination to Christ. In the ancient Jewish world, a Rabbi's students (talmidim) were expected to honor and imitate their teacher; performing a task as lowly as foot-washing was unthinkable for a master. Jesus subverts this expectation by taking on the role of the lowest servant, establishing a new kingdom paradigm where authority is exercised through selfless service.

John 13 16 Word analysis

• "Verily, verily" (Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν - Amen amen): This reduplication of "Amen" is a distinctive feature of John's Gospel, occurring 25 times. It signifies solemnity, divine authority, and the absolute truth of what Jesus is about to say, demanding the listener's undivided attention and full acceptance.
• "I say unto you" (λέγω ὑμῖν - lego hymin): Jesus speaks with inherent authority, not as a scribe or Pharisee, but as the revealer of divine truth. This underscores that the following statement is a direct revelation from God.
• "The servant" (δοῦλος - doulos): In Greek, doulos denotes a bond-servant, a slave who is entirely owned and at the disposal of their master. It implies complete submission, dependence, and an identity derived solely from belonging to another. Jesus chose this term to emphasize total self-abasement and devotion in His followers.
• "is not greater than" (οὐκ ἔστιν μείζων - ouk estin meizon): A strong negation. It highlights an absolute lack of superiority in status, rank, or authority. The comparison emphasizes the fundamental difference between the one who commands and the one who is commanded.
• "his lord" (τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ - tou kyriou autou): The master, owner, or one possessing ultimate authority. In this context, it refers to Christ Himself, establishing His supreme authority over His followers.
• "neither he that is sent" (οὐδὲ ἀπόστολος - oude apostolos, implied participle for 'the one sent'): Literally, "nor an envoy" or "nor one sent." While "apostle" comes from this root, here it refers to any messenger or delegate. It points to the principle of representation, where the messenger carries the authority of the sender but does not surpass them.
• "greater than he that sent him" (μείζων τοῦ πέμψαντος αὐτόν - meizon tou pempsantos auton): This phrase reiterates the same principle as the master-servant analogy, applying it specifically to those commissioned with a task. The sender is the source of the mission, authority, and power, while the sent one acts under that delegated authority.

Words-group analysis

• "The servant is not greater than his lord": This phrase establishes the foundational principle for the disciples' attitude. It contrasts with human inclinations towards seeking status or preeminence. For followers of Christ, being a "servant" to "his Lord" (Jesus) necessitates an acknowledgment of His supreme authority and their own humble position of service, reflecting the very heart of the kingdom.
• "neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him": This second part extends the principle to those specifically commissioned for a mission or ministry. It directly applies to the disciples whom Jesus would send out, reminding them that their authority is derived, their message is not their own, and their mission is to glorify the one who sent them, not themselves. It warns against arrogance in ministry, stressing dependency on the sender for power and purpose.

John 13 16 Bonus section

The context of the "one sent" (ἀπόστολος) also echoes the Jewish concept of shaliach. In Jewish law, a shaliach was an agent or emissary who was so fully identified with the sender that "the agent is as the sender himself." This implies that the agent carries the full authority and identity of the sender. While shaliach granted authority as the sender, Jesus adds the crucial nuance that the shaliach is not greater than the one who sent him. This distinction highlights that while followers receive authority from Christ to act on His behalf, they must never assume a status or position that would diminish His preeminence or diminish their humble posture of service. This verse powerfully prepares the disciples, and by extension all believers, for faithful ministry by correcting any potential for self-exaltation.

John 13 16 Commentary

John 13:16 serves as the definitive principle solidifying Jesus' earlier actions and teachings on humble servanthood. Having just washed their feet, Jesus asserts that disciples are not superior to their Master. This is not merely a statement of hierarchical fact but a call to ethical discipleship. As the "doulos" (slave) of the "Kyrios" (Lord), a believer’s entire existence and purpose flow from Christ. Similarly, as "one sent" by Christ, all authority, message, and effectiveness are derivative. The glory of any ministry performed by a believer must reflect back upon the Sender, not the sent. This principle dismantles worldly concepts of greatness tied to power or prestige, asserting that true blessedness (v. 17) lies in living out the humility exemplified by the Master. It guards against pride, self-promotion, and attempts to deviate from the Sender's will, emphasizing instead loyalty, faithful representation, and radical humility as the hallmarks of genuine service within God's kingdom.