Answers for Gospel of John Chapter 13

About These Answers 


DAY ONE
Questions and Answers


1. List 7 examples of Jesus foreknowledge of future events demonstrated in Chapter 13.

Here are 12:

  1. Verse 1 - Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.
  2. Verse 3 - Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;
  3. Verse 7 - Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
  4. Verse 11 - For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
  5. Verse 19 - "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.
  6. Verse 21 - After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."
  7. Verse 31 - When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him.
  8. Verse 32 - If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
  9. Verse 33 - "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
  10. Verse 35 - By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
  11. Verse 36 - Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."
  12. Verse 38 - Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

2. What lesson did the washing of feet teach the Apostles and why was it the appropriate time to teach this lesson?

The lesson was to serve Jesus and one another in humility:

15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

The lesson was crucial to understand the manner of servant leadership that would be necessary for them to demonstrate after Jesus’ departure

3. Do you think Jesus washed Judas’ feet? Why or why not?

I think he did. Judas had not left the room yet as shown in verse 30. Judas also was using the ministry of Jesus for material gain (stealing from the treasury) so it is only a small step to assume he would allow Jesus to serve him in this manner also - or so it seemed to him.


DAY TWO
Questions and Answers


1. Why didn’t Peter want Jesus to wash his feet?

Because he loved and respected Jesus and thought it was beneath him to wash his feet.

2. Just as Jesus stated, Peter later understood the meaning of his washing their feet. Peter wrote a letter after the events recorded here in Chapter 13 of the Gospel of John which indicated that he understood the lesson on humility Jesus taught by the foot washing.

In fact, he even called for church leadership to humble themselves and to clothe themselves in humility. Where does Peter’s call to humility appear in scripture?

It is found in 1 Peter Chapter 5, verses 1-7

5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

3. Jesus is obviously referring to Judas in Chapter 13, verses 10 and 11. What do you think is meant by the word clean?

I think he was saying that Judas was neither repentant, nor reverent to God, or respectful of His Son, nor pure in intent. Jesus is speaking figuratively I believe and therefore I believe the word clean signifies the new heart of the other 11 disciples – a heart hungry for spiritual truth and service; not one greedy for personal gain as was Judas’. I also believe it to be a foreshadow of the cleanliness of the Holy Spirit and the new birth.

10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.


DAY THREE
Questions and Answers


1. Who could Jesus have been speaking of in Chapter 13, verse 16 that were servants and messengers?

Servants: us as believers; the disciples, especially Judas Iscariot; himself (in relation to God the Father)

Messengers: John the Baptist; Jesus; the disciples (especially not Judas); us

16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

2. What things is Jesus referring to in Chapter 13, verse 17?

Serve one another in humility and love

3. What scripture is Jesus referring to in Chapter 13, verse 18 where he says “But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'?

Psalm 41:9 - Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.


DAY FOUR
Questions and Answers


1. What three things do each of the following verses tell us about Judas’ plan to betray Jesus?

Here are four for each:

Mark 14:3-11

  1. Judas devised his plan began after he witnessed what he thought might be a loss of income with the anointing of Jesus feet by Mary
  2. Judas went to The Chief Priests and offered to betray Jesus
  3. The Chief Priests were delighted at the prospect
  4. Judas was not given the money up front but was promised

Luke 22:1-6

  1. The plan was to arrest Jesus when there was no crowd present
  2. Judas plotted with the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the officers of the temple guard
  3. The chief priests and the teachers of the law wanted to get rid of Jesus because they were afraid of the people
  4. Satan entered Judas

2. Describe how you felt when betrayed by someone you trusted. What do you think was their motivation? Have you forgiven them?

YOUR ANSWER HERE

3. How was Jesus glorified (see Chapter 13, verse 31) and God glorified in Jesus (see Chapter 13, verse 32)?

Jesus was glorified in that he laid down his life for the sins of the world according to the will of The Father

God is glorified in that He saved the world through the painful sacrifice of his son and in the love that Jesus has shown Him in always doing His will.


DAY FIVE
Questions and Answers


1. Why is it so noticeable when Christians demonstrate love for one another? How is it so different that it marks us as disciples of Jesus? What are some examples of this Christian love for one another?

YOUR ANSWER HERE

2. How did Jesus demonstrate his love for his disciples?

He washed their feet He told the the truth He died for their sins

3. Why do you think Peter wanted to know which disciple Jesus was talking about?

Because he loved Jesus and wanted to protect him; as a leader he may have tried to give him the sword.


DAY SIX
Questions and Answers


1. In Chapter 13, verse 23 John describes himself as the disciple that Jesus loved. Who else is mentioned in scripture as being loved by Jesus?

Martha, Mary and Lazarus

John 11:3 - So the sisters (Martha and Mary) sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick."

John 11:5 - Jesus loved Martha and her sister (Mary) and Lazarus.

John 11:36 - Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"(Lazarus)

2. Why might Jesus’ foretelling at the end of Chapter 13 of Peter disowning him three times have been so terribly troubling to Peter?

Because he loved Jesus deeply and might have thought he would be the one to betray him.