Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 13:19
Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am [he.]
19. Now ] Better, as the margin, From henceforth (comp. Joh 1:51, Joh 14:7; Rev 14:13). Hitherto Christ had been reserved about the presence of a traitor; to point him out would have been to make him desperate and deprive him of a chance of recovery. But every good influence has failed, even the Eucharist and the washing of his feet; and from this time onward Christ tells the other Apostles.
before it come ] Add to pass, as in the next clause. Comp. Joh 14:29. The success of such treachery might have shaken their faith had it taken them unawares: by foretelling it He turns it into an aid to faith.
may believe that I am he ] See on Joh 8:24; Joh 8:28; Joh 8:58.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 19. 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the 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.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
19. I tell you before . . . thatwhen it comes to pass, ye may believeand it came to pass whenthey deeply needed such confirmation.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on 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 Ps 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 Ps 41:5, his enemies are represented as wishing for his death; their hypocrisy, perfidy, and vile designs upon his life, are aptly described in Ps 41:6, which they executed by suborning false witnesses, bringing a wrong charge, , “a wicked accusation against him”, Ps 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, Ps 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, Ps 41:11. There is but one passage in it, which has any difficulty in applying it to Christ, and that is, Ps 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,
, “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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
From henceforth (‘ ). “From now on,” as in John 14:7; Matt 23:39; Rev 14:13.
Before it come to pass ( ). with ablative of the articular second aorist middle infinitive (before the coming to pass).
When it is come to pass ( ). Indefinite relative clause with and the second aorist middle subjunctive of , “whenever it does come to pass.”
That ye may believe ( ). Purpose clause with and present active subjunctive of , “that ye may keep on believing.” Cf. Isa 48:5.
That I am he ( ). As Jesus has repeatedly claimed to be the Messiah (John 8:24; John 8:58, etc.). Cf. also 14:29 ( here); 16:4.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Now [ ] . Rev., correctly, from henceforth. Compare Joh 1:52; Joh 14:7; Mt 23:39.
I am he [ ] . Or, I am. See on 8 24.
21 – 35. Compare Mt 26:21 – 25; Mr 14:18 – 21; Luk 21:21 – 23.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Now I tell you before it come,” (ap’ arti lego humin pro tou genesthai) “From this moment, I tell you all, before it occurs or happens;” He had repeatedly alluded to His coming betrayal by Judas, and it was becoming increasingly evident who he meant, both the person and the deed, Joh 14:29; Joh 16:4.
2) “That when it is come to pass,” (hina hotan genetai) “In order that when it occurs, or happens,” comes about, as it surely would, Joh 13:21; Joh 10:35.
3) “Ye may believe that I am he.” (pisteuete hoti ego eimi) “You all may believe or trust I am (exist as) he,” the Savior, the Divine one. Our Lord’s personal prophecy, of what this certain apostle would do to Him, was a sign by which the disciples were to be helped, Joh 20:30-31.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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.
(54) “ A fin que vous croyez que ce suis-je;” — “that you may believe that I am he.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(19) Now I tell you before it come.The marginal rendering is to be preferred. (Comp. Joh. 1:51; Joh. 14:7.)
Ye may believe that I am he.Comp. Note on Joh. 8:24; Joh. 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.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
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, (Joh 13:18,) and sent you forth. And this, as we shall soon see, explains the connection, so much disputed, with the following verse.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“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.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Joh 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 Psa 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 Psa 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.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
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, 2Ti 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.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
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. Joh 16:1 , and above on , ver, 18.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 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.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Now = From now. Greek. ap’ (App-104.) anti. Compare Joh 14:7 and Mat 26:29.
believe. App-150.
I am. Omit “He”, and Compare Joh 8:28, Joh 8:58; Joh 18:5-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
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. Joh 16:1, and above on , ver, 18.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 13:19. ) from this time [Now, Engl. Vers.]; for He presently after again says it, and more expressly, Joh 13:21, One of you shall betray Me.- , before that it happens) ch Joh 14:29, Now I have told you before it come to pass, that when it is come to pass, ye might believe.-, that) This has the same scope as ch. Joh 14:29; Joh 16:4, These things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them.-, ye may believe) This is a great criterion of truth, the correspondence of the event to the prophecy.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 13:19
Joh 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 he.-Jesus foretold the treason of Judas as of other things that would occur at once to prepare them for what would be done, and that after they came to pass as he foretold they would, they might see his divine foreknowledge and believe in him as the Son of God.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Now: or, From henceforth
I tell: Joh 14:29, Joh 16:4, Isa 41:23, Isa 48:5, Mat 24:25, Luk 21:13
that I: Joh 1:15, Joh 8:23, Joh 8:24, Joh 8:58, Isa 43:10, Mal 3:1, Mat 11:3, Rev 1:17, Rev 1:18
Reciprocal: Isa 41:22 – and show Isa 42:9 – new things Eze 24:24 – when Zec 2:9 – and ye Luk 22:21 – General Joh 14:1 – ye Joh 14:25 – have
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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This verse shows another instance where a prediction becomes an evidence after it is fulfilled. (See the comments at Luk 21:13.)
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 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 Joh 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.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary 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.