Study Desk

But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, the one who was going to betray Him, said,

His disciples did not understand [the meaning of] these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified and exalted, they remembered that these things had been written about Him and had been done to Him.

"The one who loves his life [eventually] loses it [through death], but the one who hates his life in this world [and is concerned with pleasing God] will keep it for life eternal.

Isaiah said these things because he saw His glory and spoke about Him.

"I know that His commandment is eternal life. So the things I speak, I speak [in accordance with His exact instruction,] just as the Father has told Me."

Now before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that His hour had come [and it was time] for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Having [greatly] loved His own who were in the world, He loved them [and continuously loves them with His perfect love] to the end (eternally).

that Jesus, knowing that the Father had put everything into His hands, and that He had come from God and was [now] returning to God,

got up from supper, took off His [outer] robe, and taking a [servant's] towel, He tied it around His waist.

Then He poured water into the basin and began washing the disciples' feet and wiping them with the towel which was tied around His waist.

Jesus said to him, "Anyone who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, and is completely clean. And you [My disciples] are clean, but not all of you."

So when He had washed their feet and put on His [outer] robe and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you understand what I have done for you?

"I assure you and most solemnly say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.

"I am not speaking of all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but [this has happened] in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled: 'HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS RAISED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME [as My enemy].'

One of His disciples, whom Jesus loved (esteemed), was leaning against Jesus' chest.

"Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you I do not say on My own initiative or authority, but the Father, abiding continually in Me, does His works [His attesting miracles and acts of power].

"If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and remain in His love.

"No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.

"I do not call you servants any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you [My] friends, because I have revealed to you everything that I have heard from My Father.

"Remember [and continue to remember] that I told you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

"But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future].