John 13 3

John 13:3 kjv

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

John 13:3 nkjv

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,

John 13:3 niv

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;

John 13:3 esv

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

John 13:3 nlt

Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.

John 13 verses

John 13 3 Meaning

John 13:3 describes Jesus' profound self-awareness of His divine nature, ultimate authority, and eternal purpose just before performing the humble act of washing His disciples' feet. This verse establishes that His authority, bestowed by the Father, encompassed all things. It affirms His pre-existence as one who came from God and His impending return to God, signifying the complete divine scope of His mission and identity. This knowledge forms the backdrop and the enabling power for His ensuing act of servanthood.

John 13 3 Context

This verse serves as a crucial theological prelude to the washing of the disciples' feet (Jn 13:4-5), an act of profound humility and servanthood. It is set during the Last Supper, immediately after Jesus has identified Judas as His betrayer (implied, not explicit in v.2 but set by earlier John text) and just before the institution of the new commandment. The disciples are likely contending for places of honor, a common theme in the Gospels. Historically and culturally, the washing of feet was a task reserved for the lowest slave or household servant, a practice completely counter to any concept of leadership or authority in that era. For Jesus, a respected teacher and the Messiah, to perform this act was an astonishing subversion of societal norms. The significance of John 13:3 lies in demonstrating that Jesus' self-abasement does not stem from weakness or compulsion, but from His supreme awareness of His divine status, ultimate authority, and glorious destiny, which enables and informs such an extraordinary act of love and humility.

John 13 3 Word analysis

• Jesus: (Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous) – Refers to the historical and divine person of Christ. His identity as the Messiah, God Incarnate, is central to the Gospel of John and underscores the weight of His subsequent actions and declarations.
• knowing: (οἶδα, oida) – This Greek term signifies a deep, intuitive, and experiential knowledge, not merely intellectual awareness (γιγνώσκω, ginōskō). Jesus possesses intrinsic knowledge, confirming His omniscient divine nature. This implies full comprehension of His mission and relationship with the Father.
• that the Father: (ὁ πατὴρ, ho patēr) – Emphasizes the unique and intimate filial relationship between God the Father and God the Son. This relationship is the source and ground of all Jesus' authority and identity.
• had given: (ἔδωκεν, edōken) – A strong aorist verb, indicating a definite, completed action. The Father definitively, irrevocably, and fully transferred authority and power to the Son.
• all things: (πάντα, panta) – An absolute, unqualified term meaning everything without exception. This encompasses creation, dominion, salvation, judgment, and the unfolding of redemptive history. It is a declaration of total, cosmic sovereignty.
• into His hands: (εἰς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ, eis tas cheiras autou) – An idiom denoting complete control, power, and authority. This is a common biblical expression (cf. Pss 8:6; Heb 2:8). It signifies that Jesus has been entrusted with all stewardship and governance.
• and that He had come from God: (ἀπὸ Θεοῦ ἐξῆλθεν, apo Theou exēlthen) – This highlights Jesus' divine origin, affirming His pre-existence and His personal arrival from the Father. It is a statement of His divine identity and mission from the Godhead.
• and was going to God: (πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν ὑπάγει, pros ton Theon hypagei) – This emphasizes Jesus' divine destiny and impending return to the Father's glory. It speaks to the completion of His earthly mission and His rightful place in the divine presence, anticipating the Ascension.

• "Jesus, knowing that...": This phrase connects Jesus' profound internal awareness directly to His subsequent actions. His understanding of His divine status and comprehensive authority is the very foundation for His profound act of humility, not a deterrent from it.
• "the Father had given all things into His hands": This grouping declares Jesus' total dominion and authority, directly bestowed by God the Father. This omnipotent power sets up the dramatic contrast with His upcoming act of humble service, underscoring that His service is a choice of infinite power, not of weakness.
• "and that He had come from God and was going to God": This pair of clauses frames Jesus' entire earthly existence within an eternal divine journey. It emphasizes His divine pre-existence (incarnation), the divine source of His mission, and His divine destination (glorification). His transient human life is bracketed by divinity, giving eternal weight to every action and word.

John 13 3 Bonus section

The Johannine concept of Jesus' "knowledge" (οἶδα) is a recurring theme, often underscoring His unique relationship with the Father and His divine foresight. Here, it’s a proactive, deliberate knowing that frames His willingness to stoop low. The phrase "all things" (πάντα) holds immense theological weight, not merely signifying material possession but encompassing creation, judgment, and all spiritual realities. This broad scope highlights that there is no aspect of existence outside of Christ's authority, which makes His servanthood all the more profound. This verse acts as an internal monologue of divine confidence, providing insight into Jesus' motivations and emphasizing the voluntary nature of His sacrificial love. The immediate placement of this declaration of ultimate power right before the act of ultimate humility (washing feet) is a literary and theological masterstroke, emphasizing that His humility is a deliberate choice of strength, not a concession to weakness.

John 13 3 Commentary

John 13:3 provides the critical theological framework for understanding Jesus' actions in the Upper Room. It is not merely descriptive but explanatory: because Jesus possessed absolute authority, originated from God, and was destined to return to God, He was able to humble Himself to the extent of washing His disciples' feet. This verse dispels any notion that Jesus' servanthood was born of weakness, lack of authority, or forced submission. On the contrary, His infinite power and divine sovereignty were the very wellspring from which His extraordinary humility flowed. This divine self-awareness empowers Him to engage in an act of complete abnegation, setting a radical example of leadership. True spiritual authority, as demonstrated by Christ, is manifested not in dominating others but in serving them with love, even to the point of sacrificial self-giving, knowing fully His divine prerogative and ultimate glorification. This paradox is central to Christian theology: power used for service, not self.Example: A true leader, fully confident in their position and abilities, can perform humble tasks that others might deem beneath them, knowing their intrinsic worth is not diminished but demonstrated by serving others.