Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Adam Clarke Commentary

That - ye may believe - These frequent predictions of his death, so circumstantial in themselves, had the most direct tendency to confirm the disciples, not only in the belief of his being the Messiah, but also in that of his omniscience.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Now I tell you before it come … - They would see by that that he had a knowledge of the heart and the power of foretelling future events, and must therefore have been sent by God. This does not imply that they had no faith before this, but that their faith would be increased and strengthened by it.

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible

From henceforth I tell you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

The treachery of Judas and denial of Peter were events of such negative force that Jesus moved to protect his disciples against the impact which such actions would have upon their faith. The whole terrible ordeal of the trials, crucifixion, and death, was almost upon them; and the apostles were here schooled against the very worst that could happen.

That I am he ... Jesus never lost sight of the fact which he came into the world to establish, namely, that he was God appearing in human form, entitled to human worship and adoration upon the part of all who would enter into eternal life, and himself being the source of that eternal life. Even negative events like the betrayal and denial were laid under tribute to maintain and buttress the apostles' faith, this being accomplished by the Lord's accurate prophecy of them.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Now I tell you before it come,.... That is, gave them notice of this before hand, that one of them should betray him:

that when it is come to pass; and they had seen it fulfilled exactly to a tittle, and according to this Scripture:

ye may believe that I am he: the Lord God omniscient, who knows and declares things before they come to pass, just as they do come to pass, which none but the eternal God can do; and that he was the Saviour and Redeemer, the Messiah spoken of and promised, the very person prophesied of, in Psalm 41. For that whole "psalm" is applicable to Jesus Christ, the true Messiah; in Psalm 41:1, the happiness of such is declared, who "consider the poor"; the Messiah, in his low estate of humiliation, who became poor for the sake of his people; in Psalm 41:5, his enemies are represented as wishing for his death; their hypocrisy, perfidy, and vile designs upon his life, are aptly described in Psalm 41:6, which they executed by suborning false witnesses, bringing a wrong charge, דבר בליעל, "a wicked accusation against him", Psalm 41:8, which succeeded, to the taking away of his life; and then they are introduced as triumphing over him, lying dead in the grave, whom they believed would never rise more; but in this they were mistaken, for he was raised up again; for which he prays, Psalm 41:10, that he might requite them, as he did, by destroying their city, temple, and nation; and the whole is concluded with thankfulness to God, for raising and exalting him, and setting him before his face for ever, Psalm 41:11. There is but one passage in it, which has any difficulty in applying it to Christ, and that is, Psalm 41:4, where he is spoken of as having sinned against the Lord; but the words may be rendered thus, "heal my soul", i.e. deliver me out of my sorrows and afflictions, לך כי הטאתי, "because I have made an offering for sin unto thee"; and well agrees with Christ, who was to make, and has made his soul an offering for sin.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

I tell you before … that when it comes to pass, ye may believe — and it came to pass when they deeply needed such confirmation.

People's New Testament

I tell you before it come... to pass. That he is about to be betrayed.

Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament

From henceforth (απ αρτι — ap' arti). “From now on,” as in John 14:7; Matthew 23:39; Revelation 14:13.

Before it come to pass (προ του γενεσται — pro tou genesthai). Προ — Pro with ablative of the articular second aorist middle infinitive γινομαι — ginomai (before the coming to pass).

When it is come to pass (οταν γενηται — hotan genētai). Indefinite relative clause with οταν — hotan and the second aorist middle subjunctive of γινομαι — ginomai “whenever it does come to pass.”

That ye may believe (ινα πιστευητε — hina pisteuēte). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and present active subjunctive of πιστευω — pisteuō “that ye may keep on believing.” Cf. Isaiah 48:5.

That I am he (οτι εγω ειμι — hoti egō eimi). As Jesus has repeatedly claimed to be the Messiah (John 8:24, John 8:58, etc.). Cf. also John 14:29 (πιστευσητε — pisteusēte here); John 16:4.

Vincent's Word Studies

Now ( ἀπ ' ἄρτι )

Rev., correctly, from henceforth. Compare John 1:51; John 14:7; Matthew 23:39.

I am he ( ἐγώ εἰμι )

Or, I am. See on John 8:24.

The Fourfold Gospel

I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled¹: He that eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me.

John 13:18-20
1. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, etc. The meaning of this passage may perhaps be brought out more easily if we paraphrase it as follows: "I do not speak of blessing to you all, for there is one who shall never be blessed. His conduct does not deceive or surprise me, for I know those whom I have chosen whether they be good or bad. His choosing is in accordance with the prophecy contained in the Book of Psalms (Psalms 41:9). Hitherto I have held my peace about him, but henceforth I shall point out his course, that my foreknowledge of his actions may strengthen your faith in my Messiahship, and not leave you in that condition of hopelessness and despair in which the consequences had come upon me unawares. Do not let his treachery shake your confidence in me, for verily I say unto you that in being my messengers ye are indeed the messengers of the Most High".

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

Теперь сказываю вам. Христос увещевает Своих людей: им нет причин унывать, если из их стада выйдет один отверженный, дабы еще больше подтвердилась вера остальных. Ведь если бы мы не видели собственными глазами то, что было предсказано о тяготах и сражениях в Церкви, у нас могло бы зародиться сомнение: где же исполнение этих пророчеств? Поскольку же наш опыт совпадает с истиной Писания, мы лучше чувствуем, что Бог заботится о нас и управляет нами Своим провидением. Кроме того, выражением: «поверили, что это Я», Христос называет Себя тем самым обетованным Мессией. Не так, что предательство Иуды породило в учениках веру, но так, что вера их возросла еще больше, когда они на опыте узрели то, что прежде слышали из уст Христовых. Смысл слов о том, что они уверуют после сих событий, может быть двояким: либо от них не будет ничего сокрыто, либо у них не будет недостатка в том, что предсказало о Христе Писание. Поскольку же и то, и другое вполне подходит, я оставляю за читателями право выбрать то, что им больше нравится.

 

 

 

John Trapp Complete Commentary

19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

Ver. 19. Ye may believe that I am he] And that ye may not stumble or stagger, though ye see Judas play the traitor, 2 Timothy 2:18-19. The apostasy of Hymenaeus and Philetus, a pair of eminent professors, was like to have shaken many; insomuch as the apostle was fain to make apology: "Nevertheless the foundation of God remaineth sure," &c.

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible

John 13:19. Now I tell you before it come, &c.— "The hint in the preceding verse merits yourparticular notice; for I have given it you before I am betrayed, to convince you that it was foreknown by me in my prescience; and to prevent your calling my mission in question on that account." See Psalms 41:9. One way of knowing whether the interpretation of a prophesy be true, is to learn the time when that interpretation was made. For if it particularly and expressly declared the event that was supposed to be imported in the prophesy, before the event happened, or could possibly be foreseen by human sagacity, thetruth of the interpretation is justified by the event. One and the same Spirit must be thought to inspire the prophet and the interpreter.His skill, where he applies other prophesies to present circumstances which they suit, may be trusted to;—and this is the very state of many of Christ's interpretations. He pointed out several prophesies to his disciples, and even to the Jews. He told them, "thus the prophet writes, and thus itshall be fulfilled;" and it was fulfilled accordingly; though the fulfilling of most of them depended on the free choice of others, with whom he could not combine, unless he could be the author of sin. His end in all this was, to convince them of the truth of his interpretations; for otherwise he might foretel the same events, without regard or reference to their prophesies. But now, as he said to his disciples on the occasion before us, I tell you before it come to pass, &c. Christ had just told them, Ye are clean, but not all:—I speak not of you all;—but that the scripture may be fulfilled, &c. The text he cites is in Psalms 14:7 which he applies to Judas, as a prediction of his treachery. "And this," says he, "I take notice of beforehand, as the sense of that scripture, that, when you see it happen, you may believe that I am the Messiah,againstwhomthePsalmistprophesiedsuchfalsenessshouldbecommitted." Whether this psalm was spoken of Judas in a literal or typical sense, it matters not; Christ interprets it of Judas; and the event corresponding with his interpretation, is a vindication of it. While as yet no outward token of Judas's villany did appear, even then he warned his disciples that the scripture would be fulfilled concerning the apostacy of this son of perdition.

Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament

Here another argument occurs, to prove the divinity of our blessed Saviour, from his foreknowledge of Judas's treason! the person who, the time when, and the place where, were all known to Christ; I tell you before it come to pass. The argument lies thus: "He that foresaw the future actions of men, and infallibly foreknew the future events and issues of things, is certainly God, but Christ did this, therefore he is really God." And he tells us here. That for this very reason he foretold now the treason of Judas: Now I tell you before, that when it come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. What he doth he mean? What he could foretell so many things to come, which did not depend upon necessary, but contingent causes only? This he was not a mere man surely, for he knows not what will be done on the morrow; but must be real God, becuase he knew all things, not by revelation, as the prophets knw things to come, but by immediate inspection, and simple intuition: so that we may say with Peter, Lord, thou knowest all things; and because thou knowest all things, thou art God.

Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary

19.] ‘Now, from this time, I announce it to you, that when it shall have happened, you may believe that I am(the Christ).’ See ch. John 16:1, and above on ἐγὼ οἶδα, ver, 18.

Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament

John 13:19. ἀπʼ ἄρτι) from this time [Now, Engl. Vers.]; for He presently after again says it, and more expressly, John 13:21, “One of you shall betray Me.”— πρὸ τοῦ γένεσθαι, before that it happens) ch John 14:29, “Now I have told you before it come to pass, that when it is come to pass, ye might believe.”— ἵνα, that) This has the same scope as ch. John 14:29; John 16:4, “These things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them.”— πιστεύσητε, ye may believe) This is a great criterion of truth, the correspondence of the event to the prophecy.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

What I now tell you should be so far from prejudicing your faith in me, that it ought rather to confirm and increase your faith in me as the true Messias; when (the thing coming to pass) you shall understand that I know the hearts, counsels, and secret thoughts of men: and when you shall see the Scriptures have their accomplishment, and those things which were long ago prophesied concerning the Messias have their just accomplishment, and fulfilling in me as the person intended in those ancient revelations.

Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament

Ye may believe; have new evidence that I am the Messiah, and continue to believe it.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

19.Tell you’ believe—The ruin wrought by the treason of Judas might seem to the apostles a proof that the claims of Jesus were vain, and his Messiahship a fiction. But when it is the very event by Jesus foretold, it is a proof not a refutation of that Messiahship.

That I am he—That I am the Son of God, who have chosen, (John 13:18,) and sent you forth. And this, as we shall soon see, explains the connection, so much disputed, with the following verse.

 

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

“I strongly affirm to you that he who receives anyone whom I send, receives me, and he who receives me, receives him who sent me”.

These words are in strong contrast to the actions of Judas. They stress the carrying on of Jesus’ ministry through His followers. They are an indication that what Judas was about to do could not affect the carrying forward of the Father’s plan. But how will men then know that He is Who He is? The answer is that His followers, those whom He sends, will now take His place on earth. He has groomed them for this and He is no longer necessary. His earthly task (apart from His final sacrifice) is complete. But He will be represented by His own, and reception of them and their message will be reception of Him, and reception of Him in this way will be reception of the Father. Thus will they know that He is Who He is. These words, spoken immediately after the words indicating betrayal, provide the confident certainty that that betrayal will not affect the going forward of God’s purposes. But the disjointedness of the context is an indication that John is staying closely to the very words of Jesus. He is getting over his point, not by inventing statements, but by a suitable use of what Jesus actually said.

Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament

John 13:19. From henceforth I tell you before it come to pass, that when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am. These words can hardly mean that Jesus would henceforward tell them events that were to happen in order that, when the events did happen, they might see that He had been a true prophet and might have their faith confirmed. He is here dealing with them as with persons who are to be sent forth to do His work in the world; and it is as if He would say, ‘Because the moment of your work is come I put you in possession of what is to happen, I make you anticipate and foresee it, I give you the same knowledge of it that I have myself, in order that, when suffering comes, you may not only not lose faith by the shock, but may be strengthened in your progress towards a deeper and truer faith. My ever present knowledge corresponds to my ever present Divine existence, to the fact that I am (comp. on John 8:24). Your knowledge shall be to you a proof that it is indeed One who can say “I am” that is in you.’ It is not so much of faith in Him as the Messiah that Jesus speaks: it is of faith in the Divine in Him, bestowed through Him upon themselves.

The Expositor's Greek Testament

John 13:19_{. This grave announcement was made at this point and not previously, , “from henceforth” (as if the knowledge resulting from the announcement rather than the announcement itself were dictating the expression) “I tell you before it happens, that when it has happened you may know that I am He,” i.e., the Messiah in whom these predictions were destined to be fulfilled.}

 

 

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Now = From now. Greek. ap" (App-104.) anti. Compare John 14:7 and Matthew 26:29.

believe. App-150.

I am. Omit "He", and Compare John 8:28, John 8:58; John 18:5-6.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

Now, [ ap' (G575) arti (G737), rather, 'From henceforth'] I tell you before it come - consider yourselves as from this time fore-warned,

That, when it is come to pass - instead of being staggered,

Ye may believe that I am he - rather, confirmed in your faith: and indeed this did come to pass when they deeply needed such confirmation.

The Bible Study New Testament

19. Before it happens. That is, do not let this traitor’s action destroy your faith in me. I Am Who I Am. See note on John 8:58.

 

 

 

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(19) Now I tell you before it come.—The marginal rendering is to be preferred. (Comp. John 1:51; John 14:7.)

Ye may believe that I am he.—Comp. Note on John 8:24; John 14:29. The result of His henceforth declaring these things unto them before the events, will be that they will find confirmation of their faith in Him as the Messiah. Had He not then declared His knowledge of all, and traced even His choice of Judas to the will of God, there would have been room for doubt whether that choice was consistent with His being the Messiah.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

Now

or, From henceforth. I tell.

14:29; 16:4; Isaiah 41:23; 48:5; Matthew 24:25; Luke 21:13

that I

1:15; 8:23,24,58; Isaiah 43:10; Malachi 3:1; Matthew 11:3; Revelation 1:17,18

Reciprocal: Isaiah 41:22 - and show;  Isaiah 42:9 - new things;  Ezekiel 24:24 - when;  Zechariah 2:9 - and ye;  Luke 22:21 - General;  John 14:1 - ye;  John 14:25 - have

Ernst Hengstenberg on John, Revelation, Ecclesiastes, Ezekiel & Psalms

Ver. 19. "Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am He."— ἀπάρτι from this time onwards (instead of the ἀπάρτι, Matthew 26:64, Luke has, ch. Luke 22:69, ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν), points to the fact that Jesus would still recur often to the same subject. Some interpret "just now, now at once." But New Testament phraseology furnishes no certain example of this interpretation (comp. ch. John 1:51); and we have no reason for departing from the ordinary meaning, as our Lord does often return to the subject of the betrayal.

The foreannouncement of it not only obviates an obvious argument against Jesus; in connection with that foreannouncement, the betrayal becomes a positive argument in His favour.—"That I am;" that is, the absolute, the central personality: comp. on ch. John 8:24. For to that alone does it belong to try the heart and the reins, and to know the hidden before it is evolved in act. At the basis lie those passages of Isaiah, in which Jehovah proves His true divinity by His prediction of the future, such as ch. Isaiah 43:11-13.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

19.I tell you this now, before it happen. By this statement he reminds his disciples that, when one of their number becomes a reprobate, this is so far from being a good reason for their being discouraged, that it ought to be a more full confirmation of their faith. For if we did not see before our eyes, in the Church, what has been foretold about her distresses and struggles, a doubt might justly arise in our minds, Where are the prophecies? But when the truth of Scripture agrees with our daily experience,¹⁷ then do we perceive more clearly, that God takes care of us, and that we are governed by his providence.

That you may believe that I am. ⁽⁵⁴⁾ By the phrase,that I am, he means that he is that Messiah who had been promised; not that the conduct of Judas, as a traitor, was the first event that led the disciples to the exercise of faith, but because their faith made greater progress, when they arrived at the experience of those things which they had formerly heard from the mouth of Christ. Now this may be explained in two ways; either that Christ says that they will believe after the event has happened, because there was nothing which was hidden from him, or that nothing will be wanting in him of all that the Scripture testifies concerning Christ. As the two interpretations agree well enough together, I leave my readers at liberty to choose which of them they will prefer.