John 13:20

20 I am telling you the truth: whoever receives anyone I send receives me also; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me." ¹

John 13:20 Meaning and Commentary

John 13:20

Verily, verily, I say unto you
You may assure yourselves of the truth of what I am going to say, and which I say for your comfort and encouragement:

he that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me, and he that
receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me;
I have sent you in my name to preach the Gospel; you are my ambassadors, and you will be honourably received by many; and which I shall regard and take notice of, and esteem, as though they had received me; even as my Father has sent me into this world, as a Saviour and Redeemer, a prophet, priest, and King; and as many as have received me, are looked upon by my Father, as having received him: in short, such as cordially receive and embrace the ministers of the Gospel, receive Christ, in whose name they come, and whom they preach; and such who receive Christ, as preached and held forth in the everlasting Gospel, receive the Father of Christ; and partake of his love, grace, and kindness, shown forth in the mission and gift of Christ to them: Christ, as Mediator, represented his Father that sent him; and the ministers of Christ represent him; so that what is done to them, either in a way of reception or rejection, he takes as done to himself: it is a common saying among the Jews ^F3, (wtwmk Mda lv) (wxwlvv) , "that the messenger of a man is as himself".

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 T Bab. Beracot, fol. 34. 2. Kiddushin, fol. 41. 9. & 42. 1. & 43. 1. Bava Metzia, fol. 96. 1.

John 13:20 In-Context

18 "I am not talking about all of you; I know those I have chosen. But the scripture must come true that says, "The man who shared my food turned against me.'

19 I tell you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe that "I Am Who I Am.'

20 I am telling you the truth: whoever receives anyone I send receives me also; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me."

21 After Jesus had said this, he was deeply troubled and declared openly, "I am telling you the truth: one of you is going to betray me."

22 The disciples looked at one another, completely puzzled about whom he meant.

Cross References

• 1. 13.20Matthew 10.40;Mark 9.37;Luke 9.48; 10.16.