John 13:17

17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

John 13:17 Meaning and Commentary

John 13:17

If ye know these things
The duties they owed to him, and one another; those kind offices of love and respect to each other; the humility, condescension, and brotherly love, which ought to be in them, and of which he had given them an example:

happy are ye if ye do them;
for the bare theory, or a mere speculative knowledge of these things, is not sufficient; not he that knows and does not, but he that knows and does his master's will, is blessed; he is blessed with communion with his Lord, and shall hereafter enter into his joy, with "well done good and faithful servant". There is an happiness "in" doing well, and which follows "on" it, though not "for" it, in a way of merit; on the other hand, persons who know and do not, are very unhappy; the Jews have a saying ^F1,

``(twvel alv dmlhv) , "he that learns but not to do", it would have been better for him, if he had never been created; and says R. Jochanan, he that learns but not to do, it would have been better for him if his secundine had been turned upon his face, and he had never come into the world.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 Hieros. Beracot, fol. 3. 2.

John 13:17 In-Context

15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

16 Verily, verily I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord, neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

18 "I speak not of you all. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, `He that eateth bread with Me hath lifted up his heel against Me.'

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