John 13:20

20 Truly, truly I say to you, the one who receives anyone I send receives me, and the one who receives me receives the one who sent me."

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 speaking about all of you. I know whom I have chosen, but in order that the scripture would be fulfilled, 'The one who eats my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'

19 From now [on] I am telling you before [it] happens, in order that when [it] happens you may believe that I am [he].

20 Truly, truly I say to you, the one who receives anyone I send receives me, and the one who receives me receives the one who sent me."

21 [When he] had said these [things], Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified and said, "Truly, truly I say to you that one of you will betray me."

22 The disciples began looking at one another, uncertain about whom he was speaking.