John 13 17

John 13:17 kjv

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

John 13:17 nkjv

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

John 13:17 niv

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

John 13:17 esv

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

John 13:17 nlt

Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

John 13 verses

John 13 17 Meaning

John 13:17 declares that true blessedness is found not merely in understanding God's commands and examples, but in actively applying them in one's life. Following Jesus' powerful example of humble service through washing His disciples' feet, this verse serves as a crucial point, highlighting that spiritual knowledge must translate into practical obedience and self-giving action to experience divine favor and profound well-being. It underscores that authentic discipleship is demonstrated by putting Christ's teachings into practice.

John 13 17 Context

John 13:17 is embedded within the intimate setting of Jesus' Last Supper with His disciples, shortly before His crucifixion. The immediate context (Jn 13:1-16) describes Jesus' unexpected and profound act of washing His disciples' feet. This task was traditionally performed by the lowest servants, and Jesus, their Lord and Teacher, performing it demonstrated unparalleled humility and selfless service. He then explained His actions: "I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 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" (Jn 13:15-16). "These things" in verse 17 specifically refer to this model of humble, loving service and the understanding of true spiritual greatness through serving others rather than seeking status. Historically and culturally, this act profoundly challenged the disciples' Jewish conceptions of hierarchy and their likely expectations of a conquering Messiah who would establish an earthly kingdom where they would hold prominent positions. It also starkly contrasted with Roman societal values, which prioritized honor, power, and domination, where foot-washing was a degrading task for slaves, thus constituting a direct challenge to the pursuit of worldly status and power.

John 13 17 Word analysis

• If you know: The Greek word here is eidotes (εἰδότες), from oida, which signifies a deep, experiential knowledge, often implying recognition or perception. It's not merely intellectual apprehension or theoretical information (like ginosko), but a comprehension that leads to conviction and a practical understanding of how to apply the truth. It implies a full grasp of the significance of Jesus' actions and teachings.
• these things: The Greek tauta (ταῦτα) points directly to what Jesus has just done and taught: the act of foot-washing as an example of humble service and the principle that followers should emulate His example by serving one another, considering no task beneath them. It encapsulates the core lesson of sacrificial love and humility shown by the Lord to His disciples.
• blessed: The Greek word is makarioi (μακάριοι). This is the same word used in the Beatitudes (Matt 5:3-12) and indicates a state of inner spiritual prosperity, happiness, and well-being, often accompanied by divine favor or approval. It denotes a joy and fulfillment that comes from God, distinct from worldly happiness. It signifies those who are in an enviable position because of God's grace and their alignment with His will.
• are you: This emphasizes the present reality of blessedness. It is not solely a future reward but a present spiritual state for those who embody these principles.
• if you do: The Greek ean poiēte (ἐὰν ποιῆτε) employs the verb poieō, meaning "to do," "make," "practice," or "perform." The conditional particle ean ("if") suggests that while the knowledge is given, the blessedness is contingent upon active, practical application. It underscores that mere intellectual assent or understanding is insufficient; action is the critical component that transforms knowledge into blessing.
• them: Refers back to tauta, reinforcing that it is the practical performance of humble, loving service—the "these things" exemplified by Jesus—that leads to true blessedness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• If you know these things: This phrase highlights that the first step is comprehension of divine truth. It's an invitation to deep understanding, but also a test: what will one do with such profound insight? It implies responsibility accompanying knowledge.
• blessed are you if you do them: This phrase links understanding directly to action for the attainment of true blessedness. The emphasis is on active obedience as the pathway to God-given inner prosperity. It suggests that spiritual well-being isn't solely a result of receiving grace, but also actively participating in the transformative power of that grace through obedience and selfless acts. This counteracts any belief that salvation or blessedness comes merely from intellectual assent without a changed life.

John 13 17 Bonus section

The blessedness mentioned in John 13:17 is often referred to as "experiential blessedness." It's not a means to salvation, but rather a profound inner joy and fulfillment that accompanies living in accordance with God's will and truth. It's a taste of kingdom life here on earth. The "doing" is not an act of earning salvation, but an overflow and evidence of a heart transformed by Christ's love and indwelt by the Spirit, enabling believers to live out what they know. This verse highlights the practical nature of discipleship: Jesus' teachings are not just theoretical constructs for theological debate, but principles intended to be woven into the fabric of everyday life and relationships, reflecting His character to the world. It implicitly counters any form of Gnosticism or intellectualism that might prioritize secret knowledge over humble, observable works of faith and love.

John 13 17 Commentary

John 13:17 stands as a powerful capstone to Jesus' demonstration of foot-washing, shifting the focus from simply observing an act to living out its profound implications. It confronts the common human tendency to separate knowing from doing, declaring that true blessedness does not reside in intellectual assent to truth alone, but in its active embodiment. The blessedness Jesus speaks of (makarios) is not a fleeting emotional happiness, but a deep, enduring spiritual flourishing and divine favor, similar to the state of those described in the Beatitudes. This profound well-being is intrinsically tied to obedient action—specifically, the humble, sacrificial service exemplified by Jesus Himself. For disciples, this means internalizing the lesson of the towel and basin, understanding that greatness in God's kingdom is defined by how one serves others, even in seemingly lowly tasks. The verse functions as a practical imperative: Christ's followers are to be active participants in His way, becoming conduits of His love and humility. Without this active obedience, knowledge, however deep, remains barren of its promised blessing.

For example, a person may know extensively about Christian charity and the call to love their neighbor, even quoting scriptures on the subject. However, true blessedness (the makarios state) related to this knowledge is only experienced when they actively engage in charitable acts or extend tangible love and compassion to those in need, imitating Christ's own selfless service. Similarly, a leader may comprehend the principles of servant leadership but only receives the accompanying blessing when they genuinely prioritize the well-being of those under their care, stepping down to serve like Jesus.