The Lord’s Supper

13 Now before the Feast of (A)the Passover, Jesus, knowing that (B)His hour had come that He would depart from this world (C)to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them [a]to the end. And during supper, (D)the devil having already put into the heart of (E)Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, Jesus, (F)knowing that the Father had handed all things over to Him, and that (G)He had come forth from God and was going back to God, *got up from supper and *laid His outer garments aside; and He took a towel and (H)tied it around Himself.

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

Then He *poured water into the basin, and began (I)washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel which He had tied around Himself. So He *came to Simon Peter. He *said to Him, “Lord, You are washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not realize right now, but you will understand (J)later.” Peter *said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, (K)If I do not wash you, (L)you have no [b]place with Me.” Simon Peter *said to Him, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus *said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet; otherwise he is completely clean. And (M)you are clean—but [c]not all of you.” 11 For (N)He knew the one who was betraying Him; it was for this reason that He said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 Then, when He had washed their feet, and (O)taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call Me (P)‘Teacher’ and (Q)‘Lord’; and [d]you are correct, for so I am. 14 So if I, (R)the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I gave you (S)an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you. 16 Truly, truly I say to you, (T)a slave is not greater than his master, nor is (U)[e]one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are (V)blessed if you do them. 18 (W)I am not speaking about all of you. I know the ones whom I have (X)chosen; but this is happening (Y)so that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘(Z)He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19 From now on (AA)I am telling you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may believe that (AB)I am He. 20 Truly, truly I say to you, (AC)the one who [f]receives anyone I send, [g]receives Me; and the one who [h]receives Me [i]receives Him who sent Me.”

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

21 When Jesus had said these things, He (AD)became troubled in spirit, and [j]testified and said, “Truly, truly I say to you that (AE)one of you will [k]betray Me.” 22 The disciples began looking at one another, (AF)at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. 23 Lying back on (AG)Jesus’ chest was one of His disciples, (AH)whom Jesus loved. 24 So Simon Peter *nodded to this disciple and *said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.” 25 He then simply (AI)leaned back on Jesus’ chest and *said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus then *answered, “That man is the one for whom I shall dip the piece of bread and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the piece of bread, He *took and *gave it to Judas, (AJ)the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After [l]this, (AK)Satan then (AL)entered him. Therefore Jesus *said to him, “What you are doing, do it quickly.” 28 Now none of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. 29 For some were assuming, since Judas (AM)kept the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we need (AN)for the feast”; or else, that he was to [m](AO)give something to the poor. 30 So after receiving the piece of bread, he left immediately; and (AP)it was night.

31 Therefore when he had left, Jesus *said, “Now [n]is (AQ)the Son of Man (AR)glorified, and (AS)God [o]is glorified in Him; 32 [p]if God is glorified in Him, (AT)God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately. 33 (AU)Little children, I am still with you (AV)a little longer. (AW)You will look for Me; and just as I said to the [q]Jews, now I also say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I am giving you a (AX)new commandment, (AY)that you love one another; (AZ)just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 (BA)By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”

36 Simon Peter *said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, (BB)Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now; but (BC)you will follow later.” 37 Peter *said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? (BD)I will lay down my life for You.” 38 Jesus *replied, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly I say to you, (BE)a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 (BF)Do not let your heart be troubled; [r]believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many [s]rooms; if that were not so, [t]I would have told you, because (BG)I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, (BH)I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that (BI)where I am, there you also will be. And you know the way where I am going.” (BJ)Thomas *said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way?” Jesus *said to him, “I am (BK)the way, and (BL)the truth, and (BM)the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.

Oneness with the Father

(BN)If you [u]had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you (BO)know Him, and have (BP)seen Him.”

(BQ)Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus *said to him, “Have I been with [v]you for so long a time, and yet [w]you have not come to know Me, Philip? (BR)The one who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that (BS)I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? (BT)The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own, but the Father, as He remains in Me, does His works. 11 Believe Me that (BU)I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise (BV)believe because of the works themselves. 12 Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and (BW)greater works than these he will do; because (BX)I am going to the Father. 13 And (BY)whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that (BZ)the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything (CA)in My name, I will do it.

15 (CB)If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

The Holy Spirit

16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another [x](CC)Helper, so that He may be with you forever; 17 the Helper is (CD)the Spirit of truth, (CE)whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; (CF)I am coming to you. 19 [y](CG)After a little while, (CH)the world no longer is going to see Me, but you are going to see Me; (CI)because I live, you also will live. 20 (CJ)On that day you will know that (CK)I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you. 21 (CL)The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and (CM)the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will (CN)reveal Myself to him.” 22 (CO)Judas (not Iscariot) *said to Him, “Lord, what has happened (CP)that You are going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered and said to him, (CQ)If anyone loves Me, he will (CR)follow My word; and (CS)My Father will love him, and We (CT)will come to him and make Our dwelling with him. 24 The one who does not love Me (CU)does not follow My words; and (CV)the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.

25 “These things I have spoken to you while remaining with you. 26 But the (CW)Helper, the Holy Spirit (CX)whom the Father will send in My name, (CY)He will teach you all things, and (CZ)remind you of all that I said to you. 27 (DA)Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. (DB)[z]Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor [aa]fearful. 28 (DC)You heard that I said to you, ‘I am going away, and (DD)I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced [ab]because (DE)I am going to the Father, for (DF)the Father is greater than I. 29 And now (DG)I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe. 30 I will not speak much more with you, for (DH)the ruler of the world is coming, and he has [ac]nothing in regard to Me, 31 but so that the world may know that I love the Father, [ad]I do exactly as (DI)the Father commanded Me. Get up, (DJ)let’s go from here.

Jesus Is the Vine—Followers Are Branches

15 (DK)I am the true vine, and My Father is the (DL)vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He [ae]prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. (DM)You are already [af]clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. (DN)Remain in Me, [ag]and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit [ah]of itself [ai]but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him [aj](DO)bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is (DP)thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, (DQ)ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My (DR)Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so [ak](DS)prove to be My disciples. Just as (DT)the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; remain in My love. 10 (DU)If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as (DV)I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. 11 (DW)These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your (DX)joy may be made full.

Disciples’ Relation to Each Other

12 “This is (DY)My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 (DZ)Greater love has no one than this, that a person will (EA)lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My (EB)friends if (EC)you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because (ED)all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 (EE)You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and (EF)bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that (EG)whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 This (EH)I command you, that you love one another.

Disciples’ Relation to the World

18 (EI)If the world hates you, [al]you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but (EJ)I chose you out of the world, (EK)because of this the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘(EL)A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, (EM)they will persecute you as well; if they (EN)followed My word, they will follow yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you (EO)on account of My name, (EP)because they do not know the One who sent Me. 22 (EQ)If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have [am]sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 The one who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 (ER)If I had not done among them (ES)the works which no one else did, they would not have [an]sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. 25 But this has happened so that the word that is written in their (ET)Law will be fulfilled: ‘(EU)They hated Me for no reason.’

26 “When the [ao](EV)Helper comes, (EW)whom I will send to you from the Father, namely, (EX)the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, (EY)He will testify about Me, 27 and [ap](EZ)you are testifying as well, because you have been with Me (FA)from the beginning.

Jesus’ Warning

16 (FB)These things I have spoken to you so that you will not [aq]be (FC)led into sin. They will [ar](FD)ban you from the synagogue, yet (FE)an hour is coming for everyone (FF)who kills you to think that he is offering a [as]service to God. These things they will do (FG)because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have spoken to you, (FH)so that when their hour comes, you [at]may remember that I told you of them. However, I did not say these things to you (FI)at the beginning, because I was with you.

The Holy Spirit Promised

“But now (FJ)I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘(FK)Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, (FL)grief has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the [au](FM)Helper will not come to you; but if I go, (FN)I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment: regarding sin, (FO)because they do not believe in Me; 10 and regarding (FP)righteousness, because (FQ)I am going to the Father and you no longer are going to see Me; 11 (FR)and regarding judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them at the present time. 13 But when He, (FS)the Spirit of truth, comes, He will (FT)guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will (FU)glorify Me, for He will take from Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 (FV)All things that the Father has are Mine; this is why I said that He takes from Mine and will disclose it to you.

Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Foretold

16 (FW)A little while, and (FX)you no longer are going to see Me; and again a little while, and (FY)you will see Me.” 17 So some of His disciples said to one another, “What is this that He is telling us, (FZ)A little while, and you are not going to see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because (GA)I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.” 19 (GB)Jesus knew that they wanted to question Him, and He said to them, “Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you are not going to see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 Truly, truly I say to you that (GC)you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but (GD)your grief will be turned into joy! 21 (GE)Whenever a woman is in labor she has [av]pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a [aw]child has been born into the world. 22 Therefore (GF)you too have grief now; but (GG)I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one is going to take your joy away from you.

Prayer Promises

23 And (GH)on that day (GI)you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly I say to you, (GJ)if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. 24 (GK)Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your (GL)joy may be made full.

25 “These things I have spoken to you in (GM)figures of speech; (GN)an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 (GO)On that day (GP)you will ask in My name, and I am not saying to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; 27 for (GQ)the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and (GR)have believed that (GS)I came forth from the Father. 28 (GT)I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and (GU)going to the Father.”

29 His disciples *said, “See, now You are speaking plainly and are not [ax]using any (GV)figure of speech. 30 Now we know that You know all things, and that You have no need for anyone to question You; this is why we (GW)believe that You (GX)came forth from God.” 31 Jesus replied to them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, (GY)an hour is coming, and has already come, for (GZ)you to be scattered, each to (HA)his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet (HB)I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you so that (HC)in Me you may have peace. (HD)In the world you have tribulation, but (HE)take courage; (HF)I have overcome the world.”

The High Priestly Prayer

17 Jesus spoke these things; and (HG)raising His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; (HH)glorify Your Son, so that the Son may glorify You, just as (HI)You gave Him authority over all [ay]mankind, so that [az](HJ)to all whom You have given Him, (HK)He may give eternal life. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, (HL)the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom (HM)You have sent. (HN)I glorified You on the earth [ba](HO)by accomplishing the work which You have given Me to do. And now You, Father, (HP)glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had (HQ)with You before the world existed.

(HR)I have revealed Your name to the men whom (HS)You gave Me out of the world; they were (HT)Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have (HU)followed Your word. Now they have come to know that everything which You have given Me is from You; for (HV)the words which You gave Me (HW)I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that (HX)I came forth from You, and they believed that (HY)You sent Me. (HZ)I ask on their behalf; (IA)I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on the behalf of those whom (IB)You have given Me, because (IC)they are Yours; 10 and (ID)all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 I am no longer going to be in the world; and yet (IE)they themselves are in the world, and (IF)I am coming to You. (IG)Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name (IH)which You have given Me, so that (II)they may be one just as We are. 12 While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name, (IJ)which You have given Me; and I guarded them, and (IK)not one of them perished except (IL)the [bb]son of destruction, so that the (IM)Scripture would be fulfilled.

The Disciples in the World

13 But now (IN)I am coming to You; and (IO)these things I speak in the world so that they may have My (IP)joy made full in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and (IQ)the world has hated them because (IR)they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from [bc](IS)the evil one. 16 (IT)They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 (IU)Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 Just as (IV)You sent Me into the world, (IW)I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I (IX)sanctify Myself, so that they themselves also may be (IY)sanctified (IZ)in truth.

20 “I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word, 21 that they may all be one; (JA)just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, (JB)so that the world may [bd]believe that (JC)You sent Me.

Disciples’ Future Glory

22 The (JD)glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 (JE)I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected [be]in unity, so that the world may [bf]know that (JF)You sent Me, and You (JG)loved them, just as You loved Me. 24 Father, I desire that (JH)they also, whom You have given Me, (JI)be with Me where I am, so that they may see My (JJ)glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before (JK)the foundation of the world.

25 (JL)Righteous Father, [bg]although (JM)the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that (JN)You sent Me; 26 and (JO)I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that (JP)the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Footnotes

  1. John 13:1 Or to the uttermost; or eternally
  2. John 13:8 Or part
  3. John 13:10 I.e., not each one
  4. John 13:13 Lit you say well
  5. John 13:16 Gr apostolos used in a non-apostolic sense
  6. John 13:20 Or accepts
  7. John 13:20 Or accepts
  8. John 13:20 Or accepts
  9. John 13:20 Or accepts
  10. John 13:21 I.e., made a solemn assertion
  11. John 13:21 Or hand Me over
  12. John 13:27 Lit the piece
  13. John 13:29 Considered especially fitting at Passover
  14. John 13:31 Or was
  15. John 13:31 Or was
  16. John 13:32 Most early mss do not contain this phrase
  17. John 13:33 I.e., Jesus’ Jewish enemies
  18. John 14:1 Or you believe in God, believe also
  19. John 14:2 Or dwelling places
  20. John 14:2 Or would I have told you that I am going...?
  21. John 14:7 Two early mss have come to know...you will know
  22. John 14:9 I.e., you plural, the disciples
  23. John 14:9 I.e., you singular, Philip
  24. John 14:16 Or Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor
  25. John 14:19 Lit Yet a little and the world
  26. John 14:27 Or Stop letting your hearts
  27. John 14:27 Or cowardly
  28. John 14:28 Or that
  29. John 14:30 I.e., no grounds for any accusation
  30. John 14:31 Lit and just as the Father...so I do
  31. John 15:2 Lit cleans; used to describe pruning
  32. John 15:3 I.e., pruned like a branch
  33. John 15:4 Or I also remain in you
  34. John 15:4 Lit from
  35. John 15:4 Lit if it does not remain
  36. John 15:5 Lit this one bears
  37. John 15:8 Or become My disciples
  38. John 15:18 Or (command) know that
  39. John 15:22 I.e., guilt
  40. John 15:24 I.e., responsibility for their sin
  41. John 15:26 Or Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor
  42. John 15:27 Or (command) testify, you as well
  43. John 16:1 Or let yourselves be led; or fall away (in apostasy)
  44. John 16:2 Or excommunicate
  45. John 16:2 I.e., as an act of worship
  46. John 16:4 Or will remember them, that I told you
  47. John 16:7 Or Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor
  48. John 16:21 Lit grief
  49. John 16:21 Lit human being
  50. John 16:29 Lit saying
  51. John 17:2 Lit flesh
  52. John 17:2 Lit everything that You have given Him, to them He may
  53. John 17:4 Or having accomplished
  54. John 17:12 Heb idiom for one destined to perish
  55. John 17:15 Or evil
  56. John 17:21 Gr tense indicates continually believe
  57. John 17:23 Lit into one
  58. John 17:23 Gr tense indicates continually know
  59. John 17:25 Lit even the world

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

13 It was just before the Passover Festival.(A) Jesus knew that the hour had come(B) for him to leave this world and go to the Father.(C) Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.(D) Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power,(E) and that he had come from God(F) and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.(G) After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet,(H) drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”(I)

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean,(J) though not every one of you.”(K) 11 For he knew who was going to betray him,(L) and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’(M) and ‘Lord,’(N) and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.(O) 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.(P) 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master,(Q) nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.(R)

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

18 “I am not referring to all of you;(S) I know those I have chosen.(T) But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture:(U) ‘He who shared my bread(V) has turned[a](W) against me.’[b](X)

19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe(Y) that I am who I am.(Z) 20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”(AA)

21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit(AB) and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”(AC)

22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved,(AD) was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”

25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”(AE)

26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas,(AF) the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.(AG)

So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money,(AH) some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival,(AI) or to give something to the poor.(AJ) 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.(AK)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial(AL)

31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man(AM) is glorified(AN) and God is glorified in him.(AO) 32 If God is glorified in him,[c] God will glorify the Son in himself,(AP) and will glorify him at once.

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.(AQ)

34 “A new command(AR) I give you: Love one another.(AS) As I have loved you, so you must love one another.(AT) 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”(AU)

36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”(AV)

Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now,(AW) but you will follow later.”(AX)

37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!(AY)

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled.(AZ) You believe(BA) in God[d];(BB) believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there(BC) to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back(BD) and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.(BE) You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

Thomas(BF) said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am(BG) the way(BH) and the truth(BI) and the life.(BJ) No one comes to the Father except through me.(BK) If you really know me, you will know[e] my Father as well.(BL) From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip(BM) said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.(BN) How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?(BO) The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority.(BP) Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.(BQ) 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes(BR) in me will do the works I have been doing,(BS) and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask(BT) in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love me, keep my commands.(BU) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate(BV) to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth.(BW) The world cannot accept him,(BX) because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[f] in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans;(BY) I will come to you.(BZ) 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me.(CA) Because I live, you also will live.(CB) 20 On that day(CC) you will realize that I am in my Father,(CD) and you are in me, and I am in you.(CE) 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.(CF) The one who loves me will be loved by my Father,(CG) and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

22 Then Judas(CH) (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”(CI)

23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.(CJ) My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.(CK) 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.(CL)

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate,(CM) the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,(CN) will teach you all things(CO) and will remind you of everything I have said to you.(CP) 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.(CQ) I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled(CR) and do not be afraid.

28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’(CS) If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father,(CT) for the Father is greater than I.(CU) 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.(CV) 30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world(CW) is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.(CX)

“Come now; let us leave.

The Vine and the Branches

15 “I am(CY) the true vine,(CZ) and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,(DA) while every branch that does bear fruit(DB) he prunes[g] so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.(DC) Remain in me, as I also remain in you.(DD) No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;(DE) apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.(DF) If you remain in me(DG) and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.(DH) This is to my Father’s glory,(DI) that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.(DJ)

“As the Father has loved me,(DK) so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands,(DL) you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.(DM) 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.(DN) 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.(DO) 14 You are my friends(DP) if you do what I command.(DQ) 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.(DR) 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you(DS) so that you might go and bear fruit(DT)—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.(DU) 17 This is my command: Love each other.(DV)

The World Hates the Disciples

18 “If the world hates you,(DW) keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you(DX) out of the world. That is why the world hates you.(DY) 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’[h](DZ) If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.(EA) If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name,(EB) for they do not know the one who sent me.(EC) 22 If I had not come and spoken to them,(ED) they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.(EE) 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did,(EF) they would not be guilty of sin.(EG) As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law:(EH) ‘They hated me without reason.’[i](EI)

The Work of the Holy Spirit

26 “When the Advocate(EJ) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father(EK)—the Spirit of truth(EL) who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.(EM) 27 And you also must testify,(EN) for you have been with me from the beginning.(EO)

16 “All this(EP) I have told you so that you will not fall away.(EQ) They will put you out of the synagogue;(ER) in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.(ES) They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.(ET) I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember(EU) that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you,(EV) but now I am going to him who sent me.(EW) None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’(EX) Rather, you are filled with grief(EY) because I have said these things. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate(EZ) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.(FA) When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin,(FB) because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness,(FC) because I am going to the Father,(FD) where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world(FE) now stands condemned.

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.(FF) 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth,(FG) comes, he will guide you into all the truth.(FH) He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine.(FI) That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy

16 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while(FJ) you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”(FK)

17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’(FL) and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?”(FM) 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn(FN) while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.(FO) 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain(FP) because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief,(FQ) but I will see you again(FR) and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.(FS) 23 In that day(FT) you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.(FU) 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive,(FV) and your joy will be complete.(FW)

25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively,(FX) a time is coming(FY) when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name.(FZ) I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me(GA) and have believed that I came from God.(GB) 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”(GC)

29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.(GD) 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe(GE) that you came from God.”(GF)

31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming(GG) and in fact has come when you will be scattered,(GH) each to your own home. You will leave me all alone.(GI) Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.(GJ)

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.(GK) In this world you will have trouble.(GL) But take heart! I have overcome(GM) the world.”

Jesus Prays to Be Glorified

17 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven(GN) and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come.(GO) Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.(GP) For you granted him authority over all people(GQ) that he might give eternal life(GR) to all those you have given him.(GS) Now this is eternal life: that they know you,(GT) the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.(GU) I have brought you glory(GV) on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.(GW) And now, Father, glorify me(GX) in your presence with the glory I had with you(GY) before the world began.(GZ)

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

“I have revealed you[j](HA) to those whom you gave me(HB) out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me(HC) and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you,(HD) and they believed that you sent me.(HE) I pray for them.(HF) I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me,(HG) for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine.(HH) And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world,(HI) and I am coming to you.(HJ) Holy Father, protect them by the power of[k] your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one(HK) as we are one.(HL) 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by[l] that name you gave me. None has been lost(HM) except the one doomed to destruction(HN) so that Scripture would be fulfilled.(HO)

13 “I am coming to you now,(HP) but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy(HQ) within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them,(HR) for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.(HS) 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.(HT) 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.(HU) 17 Sanctify them by[m] the truth; your word is truth.(HV) 18 As you sent me into the world,(HW) I have sent them into the world.(HX) 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.(HY)

Jesus Prays for All Believers

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one,(HZ) Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.(IA) May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.(IB) 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me,(IC) that they may be one as we are one(ID) 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me(IE) and have loved them(IF) even as you have loved me.

24 “Father, I want those you have given me(IG) to be with me where I am,(IH) and to see my glory,(II) the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.(IJ)

25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you,(IK) I know you, and they know that you have sent me.(IL) 26 I have made you[n] known to them,(IM) and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them(IN) and that I myself may be in them.”

Footnotes

  1. John 13:18 Greek has lifted up his heel
  2. John 13:18 Psalm 41:9
  3. John 13:32 Many early manuscripts do not have If God is glorified in him.
  4. John 14:1 Or Believe in God
  5. John 14:7 Some manuscripts If you really knew me, you would know
  6. John 14:17 Some early manuscripts and is
  7. John 15:2 The Greek for he prunes also means he cleans.
  8. John 15:20 John 13:16
  9. John 15:25 Psalms 35:19; 69:4
  10. John 17:6 Greek your name
  11. John 17:11 Or Father, keep them faithful to
  12. John 17:12 Or kept them faithful to
  13. John 17:17 Or them to live in accordance with
  14. John 17:26 Greek your name

Jesus Washes the Feet of His Disciples

13 It was before Passover, and Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and to return to the Father. He had always loved his followers in this world, and he loved them to the very end.

Even before the evening meal started, the devil had made Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot,[a] decide to betray Jesus.

Jesus knew he had come from God and would go back to God. He also knew that the Father had given him complete power. So during the meal Jesus got up, removed his outer garment, and wrapped a towel around his waist. He put some water into a large bowl. Then he began washing his disciples' feet and drying them with the towel he was wearing.

But when he came to Simon Peter, this disciple asked, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus answered, “You don't really know what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

“You will never wash my feet!” Peter replied.

“If I don't wash you,” Jesus told him, “you don't really belong to me.”

Peter said, “Lord, don't wash just my feet. Wash my hands and my head.”

10 Jesus answered, “People who have bathed and are clean all over need to wash just their feet. And you, my disciples, are clean, except for one of you.” 11 Jesus knew who would betray him. That is why he said, “except for one of you.”

12 (A) After Jesus had washed his disciples' feet and had put his outer garment back on, he sat down again.[b] Then he said:

Do you understand what I have done? 13 You call me your teacher and Lord, and you should, because that is who I am. 14 And if your Lord and teacher has washed your feet, you should do the same for each other. 15 I have set the example, and you should do for each other exactly what I have done for you. 16 (B) I tell you for certain that servants are not greater than their master, and messengers are not greater than the one who sent them. 17 You know these things, and God will bless you, if you do them.

18 (C) I am not talking about all of you. I know the ones I have chosen. But what the Scriptures say must come true. And they say, “The man who ate with me has turned against me!” 19 I am telling you this before it all happens. Then when it does happen, you will believe who I am.[c] 20 (D) I tell you for certain that anyone who welcomes my messengers also welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.

Jesus Tells What Will Happen to Him

(Matthew 26.20-25; Mark 14.17-21; Luke 22.21-23)

21 After Jesus had said these things, he was deeply troubled and told his disciples, “I tell you for certain that one of you will betray me.” 22 They were confused about what he meant. And they just stared at each other.

23 Jesus' favorite disciple was sitting next to him at the meal, 24 and Simon motioned for this disciple to find out which one Jesus meant. 25 So the disciple leaned toward Jesus and asked, “Lord, which one of us are you talking about?”

26 Jesus answered, “I will dip this piece of bread in the sauce and give it to the one I was talking about.”

Then Jesus dipped the bread and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.[d] 27 Right then Satan took control of Judas.

Jesus said, “Judas, go quickly and do what you have to do.” 28 No one at the meal understood what Jesus meant. 29 But because Judas was in charge of the money, some of them thought that Jesus had told him to buy something they needed for the festival. Others thought that Jesus had told him to give some money to the poor. 30 Judas took the piece of bread and went out.

It was already night.

The New Command

31 After Judas had gone, Jesus said:

Now the Son of Man will be given glory, and he will bring glory to God. 32 Then, after God is given glory because of him, God will bring glory to him, and God will do it very soon.

33 (E) My children, I will be with you for only a little while longer. Then you will look for me, but you won't find me. I tell you just as I told the people, “You cannot go where I am going.” 34 (F) But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.

Peter's Promise

(Matthew 26.31-35; Mark 14.27-31; Luke 22.31-34)

36 Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?”

Jesus answered, “You can't go with me now, but later on you will.”

37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can't I go with you now? I would die for you!”

38 “Would you really die for me?” Jesus asked. “I tell you for certain before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you don't even know me.”

Jesus Is the Way to the Father

14 Jesus said to his disciples, “Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.[e] There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together. You know the way to where I am going.”

Thomas said, “Lord, we don't even know where you are going! How can we know the way?”

(G) “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father. If you had really known me, you would have known the Father. But from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him.”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father. That is all we need.”

Jesus replied:

Philip, I have been with you for a long time. Don't you know who I am? If you have seen me, you have seen the Father. How can you ask me to show you the Father? 10 Don't you believe that I am one with the Father and that the Father is one with me? What I say isn't said on my own. The Father who lives in me does these things.

11 Have faith in me when I say that the Father is one with me and that I am one with the Father. Or else have faith in me simply because of the things I do. 12 I tell you for certain that if you have faith in me, you will do the same things I am doing. You will do even greater things, now that I am going back to the Father. 13 Ask me, and I will do whatever you ask. This way the Son will bring honor to the Father. 14 I will do whatever you ask me to do.

The Holy Spirit Is Promised

15 (H) Jesus said to his disciples:

If you love me, you will do as I command. 16 Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help[f] you and always be with you. 17 The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don't see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you.

18 I won't leave you like orphans. I will come back to you. 19 In a little while the people of this world won't be able to see me, but you will see me. And because I live, you will live. 20 Then you will know I am one with the Father. You will know you are one with me, and I am one with you. 21 (I) If you love me, you will do what I have said, and my Father will love you. I will also love you and show you what I am like.

22 The other Judas, not Judas Iscariot,[g] then spoke up and asked, “Lord, what do you mean by saying that you will show us what you are like, but you will not show the people of this world?”

23 Jesus replied:

If anyone loves me, they will obey me. Then my Father will love them, and we will come to them and live in them. 24 But anyone who doesn't love me, won't obey me. What they have heard me say doesn't really come from me, but from the Father who sent me.

25 I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Holy Spirit will come and help[h] you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you.

27 I give you peace, the kind of peace only I can give. It isn't like the peace this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid.

28 You have already heard me say I am going and I will also come back to you. If you really love me, you should be glad I am going back to the Father, because he is greater than I am.

29 I am telling you this before I leave, so when it does happen, you will have faith in me. 30 I cannot speak with you much longer, because the ruler of this world is coming. But he has no power over me. 31 I obey my Father, so everyone in the world might know that I love him.

It is time for us to go now.

Jesus Is the True Vine

15 Jesus said to his disciples:

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts away every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit. But he trims clean every branch that does produce fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already clean because of what I have said to you.

Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. If you don't stay joined to me, you will be thrown away. You will be like dry branches that are gathered up and burned in a fire.

Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered. When you become fruitful disciples of mine, my Father will be honored. I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. 10 If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him.

11 I have told you this to make you as completely happy as I am. 12 (J) Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. 13 The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them. 14 And you are my friends, if you obey me. 15 Servants don't know what their master is doing, and so I don't speak to you as my servants. I speak to you as my friends, and I have told you everything my Father has told me.

16 You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name.[i] 17 So I command you to love each other.

The World's Hatred

18 If the people of this world[j] hate you, just remember that they hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, its people would love you. But you don't belong to the world. I have chosen you to leave the world behind, and this is why its people hate you. 20 (K) Remember how I told you that servants are not greater than their master. So if people mistreat me, they will mistreat you. If they do what I say, they will do what you say.

21 People will do to you exactly what they did to me. They will do it because you belong to me, and they don't know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin.

23 Everyone who hates me also hates my Father. 24 I have done things no one else has ever done. If they had not seen me do these things, they would not be guilty. But they did see me do these things, and they still hate me and my Father too. 25 (L) This is why the Scriptures are true when they say, “People hated me for no reason.”

26 I will send you the Spirit who comes from the Father and shows what is true. The Spirit will help[k] you and will tell you about me. 27 Then you will also tell others about me, because you have been with me from the beginning.

16 I am telling you these things, so that you will not turn away. You will be chased out of the synagogues. And the time will come when people will kill you and think they are doing God a favor. They will do these things because they don't know either the Father or me. I am saying this to you now, so that when the time comes, you will remember what I have said.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

I was with you at the first, and so I didn't tell you these things. But now I am going back to the Father who sent me, and none of you asks me where I am going. You are very sad from hearing all of this. But I tell you I am going to do what is best for you. This is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help[l] you until I leave. But after I am gone, I will send the Spirit to you.

The Spirit will come and show the people of this world the truth about sin and God's justice and the judgment. The Spirit will show them that they are wrong about sin, because they didn't have faith in me. 10 They are wrong about God's justice, because I am going to the Father, and you won't see me again. 11 And they are wrong about the judgment, because God has already judged the ruler of this world.

12 I have much more to say to you, but right now it would be more than you could understand. 13 (M) The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn't speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen. 14 The Spirit will bring glory to me by taking my message and telling it to you. 15 Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I have said that the Spirit takes my message and tells it to you.

Sorrow Will Turn into Joy

16 Jesus told his disciples, “For a little while you won't see me, but after a while you will see me.”

17 They said to each other, “What does Jesus mean by saying that for a little while we won't see him, but after a while we will see him? What does he mean by saying he is going to the Father? 18 What is this ‘little while’ that he is talking about? We don't know what he means.”

19 Jesus knew they had some questions, so he said:

You are wondering what I meant when I said that for a little while you won't see me, but after a while you will see me. 20 I tell you for certain that you will cry and be sad, but the world will be happy. You will be sad, but later you will be happy.

21 When a woman is about to give birth, she is in great pain. But after it is all over, she forgets the pain and is happy, because she has brought a child into the world. 22 You are now very sad. But later I will see you, and you will be so happy that no one will be able to change the way you feel. 23 When that time comes, you won't have to ask me about anything. I tell you for certain the Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. 24 You have not asked for anything in this way before, but now you must ask in my name.[m] Then it will be given to you, so you will be completely happy.

25 I have used examples to explain to you what I have been talking about. But the time will come when I will speak to you plainly about the Father and will no longer use examples like these. 26 You will ask the Father in my name,[n] and I won't have to ask him for you. 27 God the Father loves you because you love me, and you believe I have come from him. 28 I came from the Father into the world, but I am leaving the world and returning to the Father.

29 The disciples said, “Now you are speaking plainly to us! You are not using examples. 30 At last we know that you understand everything, and we don't have any more questions. Now we believe you truly have come from God.”

31 Jesus replied:

Do you really believe me? 32 The time will come and is already here when all of you will be scattered. Each of you will go back home and leave me by myself. But the Father will be with me, and I won't be alone. 33 I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.[o]

Jesus Prays

17 After Jesus had finished speaking to his disciples, he looked up toward heaven and prayed:

Father, the time has come for you to bring glory to your Son, in order that he may bring glory to you. And you gave him power over all people, so he would give eternal life to everyone you give him. (N) Eternal life is to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, the one you sent. I have brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you gave me to do. Now, Father, give me back the glory I had with you before the world was created.

You have given me some followers from this world, and I have shown them what you are like. They were yours, but you gave them to me, and they have obeyed you. They know that you gave me everything I have. I told my followers what you told me, and they accepted it. They know I came from you, and they believe you are the one who sent me. I am praying for them, but not for those who belong to this world.[p] My followers belong to you, and I am praying for them. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine, and they will bring glory to me.

11 Holy Father, I am no longer in the world. I am coming to you, but my followers are still in the world. So keep them safe by the power of the name you have given me. Then they will be one with each other, just as you and I are one. 12 (O) While I was with them, I kept them safe by the power you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost, except the one who had to be lost. This happened so that what the Scriptures say would come true.

13 I am on my way to you. But I say these things while I am still in the world, so my followers will have the same complete joy that I do. 14 I have told them your message. But the people of this world hate them, because they don't belong to this world, just as I don't.

15 Father, I don't ask you to take my followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They don't belong to this world, and neither do I. 17 Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours. 18 I am sending them into the world, just as you sent me. 19 I have given myself completely for their sake, so they may belong completely to the truth.

20 I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. 21 I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me.

22 I have honored my followers in the same way you honored me, in order that they may be one with each other, just as we are one. 23 I am one with them, and you are one with me, so they may become completely one. Then this world's people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me.

24 Father, I want everyone you have given me to be with me, wherever I am. Then they will see the glory you have given me, because you loved me before the world was created. 25 Good Father, the people of this world don't know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. 26 I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.

Footnotes

  1. 13.2 Iscariot: See the note at 6.71.
  2. 13.12 sat down again: On special occasions the Jewish people followed the Greek and Roman custom of lying down on their left side and leaning on their left elbow, while eating with their right hand.
  3. 13.19 I am: See the note at 8.24.
  4. 13.26 Iscariot: See the note at 6.71.
  5. 14.1 Have faith in God and have faith in me: Or “You have faith in God, so have faith in me.”
  6. 14.16 help: The Greek word may mean “comfort,” “encourage,” or “defend.”
  7. 14.22 Iscariot: See the note at 6.71.
  8. 14.26 help: See the note at 14.16.
  9. 15.16 in my name: Or “because you are my followers.”
  10. 15.18 world: See the note at 12.31.
  11. 15.26 help: See the note at 14.16.
  12. 16.7 help: See the note at 14.16.
  13. 16.23,24 in my name … in my name: Or “as my disciples … as my disciples.”
  14. 16.26 in my name: Or “because you are my followers.”
  15. 16.33 world: See the note at 12.31.
  16. 17.9 world: See the note at 12.31.

Washing His Disciples’ Feet

13 1-2 Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. Having loved his dear companions, he continued to love them right to the end. It was suppertime. The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal.

3-6 Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Master, you wash my feet?”

Jesus answered, “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.”

Peter persisted, “You’re not going to wash my feet—ever!”

Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.”

“Master!” said Peter. “Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!”

10-12 Jesus said, “If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you’re clean. But not every one of you.” (He knew who was betraying him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you.”) After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table.

12-17 Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.

The One Who Ate Bread at My Table

18-20 “I’m not including all of you in this. I know precisely whom I’ve selected, so as not to interfere with the fulfillment of this Scripture:

The one who ate bread at my table

Will stab me in the back.

“I’m telling you all this ahead of time so that when it happens you will believe that I am who I say I am. Make sure you get this right: Receiving someone I send is the same as receiving me, just as receiving me is the same as receiving the One who sent me.”

21 After he said these things, Jesus became visibly upset, and then he told them why. “One of you is going to betray me.”

22-25 The disciples looked around at one another, wondering who on earth he was talking about. One of the disciples, the one Jesus loved dearly, was reclining against him, his head on his shoulder. Peter motioned to him to ask who Jesus might be talking about. So, being the closest, he said, “Master, who?”

26-27 Jesus said, “The one to whom I give this crust of bread after I’ve dipped it.” Then he dipped the crust and gave it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. As soon as the bread was in his hand, Satan entered him.

“What you must do,” said Jesus, “do. Do it and get it over with.”

28-29 No one around the supper table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas was their treasurer, Jesus was telling him to buy what they needed for the Feast, or that he should give something to the poor.

30 Judas, with the piece of bread, left. It was night.

A New Command

31-32 When he had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who he is in him. The moment God is seen in him, God’s glory will be on display. In glorifying him, he himself is glorified—glory all around!

33 “Children, I am with you for only a short time longer. You are going to look high and low for me. But just as I told the Jews, I’m telling you: ‘Where I go, you are not able to come.’

34-35 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

36 Simon Peter asked, “Master, just where are you going?”

Jesus answered, “You can’t now follow me where I’m going. You will follow later.”

37 “Master,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow now? I’ll lay down my life for you!”

38 “Really? You’ll lay down your life for me? The truth is that before the rooster crows, you’ll deny me three times.”

The Road

14 1-4 “Don’t let this rattle you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I’m taking.”

Thomas said, “Master, we have no idea where you’re going. How do you expect us to know the road?”

6-7 Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!”

Philip said, “Master, show us the Father; then we’ll be content.”

9-10 “You’ve been with me all this time, Philip, and you still don’t understand? To see me is to see the Father. So how can you ask, ‘Where is the Father?’ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you aren’t mere words. I don’t just make them up on my own. The Father who resides in me crafts each word into a divine act.

11-14 “Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.

The Spirit of Truth

15-17 “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!

18-20 “I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.

21 “The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.”

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said, “Master, why is it that you are about to make yourself plain to us but not to the world?”

23-24 “Because a loveless world,” said Jesus, “is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him—we’ll move right into the neighborhood! Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn’t mine. It’s the message of the Father who sent me.

25-27 “I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.

28 “You’ve heard me tell you, ‘I’m going away, and I’m coming back.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I’m on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life.

29-31 “I’ve told you this ahead of time, before it happens, so that when it does happen, the confirmation will deepen your belief in me. I’ll not be talking with you much more like this because the chief of this godless world is about to attack. But don’t worry—he has nothing on me, no claim on me. But so the world might know how thoroughly I love the Father, I am carrying out my Father’s instructions right down to the last detail.

“Get up. Let’s go. It’s time to leave here.”

The Vine and the Branches

15 1-3 “I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.

“Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

5-8 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.

9-10 “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.

11-15 “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.

16 “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.

17 “But remember the root command: Love one another.

Hated by the World

18-19 “If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you.

20 “When that happens, remember this: Servants don’t get better treatment than their masters. If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you. If they did what I told them, they will do what you tell them.

21-25 “They are going to do all these things to you because of the way they treated me, because they don’t know the One who sent me. If I hadn’t come and told them all this in plain language, it wouldn’t be so bad. As it is, they have no excuse. Hate me, hate my Father—it’s all the same. If I hadn’t done what I have done among them, works no one has ever done, they wouldn’t be to blame. But they saw the God-signs and hated anyway, both me and my Father. Interesting—they have verified the truth of their own Scriptures where it is written, ‘They hated me for no good reason.’

26-27 “When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me. You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start.”

16 1-4 “I’ve told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead. They are going to throw you out of the meeting places. There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he’s doing God a favor. They will do these things because they never really understood the Father. I’ve told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you’ll be well-warned and ready for them.

The Friend Will Come

4-7 “I didn’t tell you this earlier because I was with you every day. But now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, ‘Where are you going?’ Instead, the longer I’ve talked, the sadder you’ve become. So let me say it again, this truth: It’s better for you that I leave. If I don’t leave, the Friend won’t come. But if I go, I’ll send him to you.

8-11 “When he comes, he’ll expose the error of the godless world’s view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He’ll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.

12-15 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I’ve said, ‘He takes from me and delivers to you.’

16 “In a day or so you’re not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me.”

Joy Like a River Overflowing

17-18 That stirred up a hornet’s nest of questions among the disciples: “What’s he talking about: ‘In a day or so you’re not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me’? And, ‘Because I’m on my way to the Father’? What is this ‘day or so’? We don’t know what he’s talking about.”

19-20 Jesus knew they were dying to ask him what he meant, so he said, “Are you trying to figure out among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘In a day or so you’re not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me’? Then fix this firmly in your minds: You’re going to be in deep mourning while the godless world throws a party. You’ll be sad, very sad, but your sadness will develop into gladness.

21-23 “When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there’s no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain. The sadness you have right now is similar to that pain, but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you’ll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you. You’ll no longer be so full of questions.

23-24 “This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he’ll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!

25-28 “I’ve used figures of speech in telling you these things. Soon I’ll drop the figures and tell you about the Father in plain language. Then you can make your requests directly to him in relation to this life I’ve revealed to you. I won’t continue making requests of the Father on your behalf. I won’t need to. Because you’ve gone out on a limb, committed yourselves to love and trust in me, believing I came directly from the Father, the Father loves you directly. First, I left the Father and arrived in the world; now I leave the world and travel to the Father.”

29-30 His disciples said, “Finally! You’re giving it to us straight, in plain talk—no more figures of speech. Now we know that you know everything—it all comes together in you. You won’t have to put up with our questions anymore. We’re convinced you came from God.”

31-33 Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

Jesus’ Prayer for His Followers

17 1-5 Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said:

Father, it’s time.
Display the bright splendor of your Son
So the Son in turn may show your bright splendor.
You put him in charge of everything human
So he might give real and eternal life to all in his care.
And this is the real and eternal life:
That they know you,
The one and only true God,
And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
I glorified you on earth
By completing down to the last detail
What you assigned me to do.
And now, Father, glorify me with your very own splendor,
The very splendor I had in your presence
Before there was a world.

* * *

6-12 I spelled out your character in detail
To the men and women you gave me.
They were yours in the first place;
Then you gave them to me,
And they have now done what you said.
They know now, beyond the shadow of a doubt,
That everything you gave me is firsthand from you,
For the message you gave me, I gave them;
And they took it, and were convinced
That I came from you.
They believed that you sent me.
I pray for them.
I’m not praying for the God-rejecting world
But for those you gave me,
For they are yours by right.
Everything mine is yours, and yours mine,
And my life is on display in them.
For I’m no longer going to be visible in the world;
They’ll continue in the world
While I return to you.
Holy Father, guard them as they pursue this life
That you conferred as a gift through me,
So they can be one heart and mind
As we are one heart and mind.
As long as I was with them, I guarded them
In the pursuit of the life you gave through me;
I even posted a lookout.
And not one of them got away,
Except for the rebel bent on destruction
(the exception that proved the rule of Scripture).

* * *

13-19 Now I’m returning to you.
I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing
So my people can experience
My joy completed in them.
I gave them your word;
The godless world hated them because of it,
Because they didn’t join the world’s ways,
Just as I didn’t join the world’s ways.
I’m not asking that you take them out of the world
But that you guard them from the Evil One.
They are no more defined by the world
Than I am defined by the world.
Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth;
Your word is consecrating truth.
In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world,
I give them a mission in the world.
I’m consecrating myself for their sakes
So they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission.

* * *

20-23 I’m praying not only for them
But also for those who will believe in me
Because of them and their witness about me.
The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they’ll be as unified and together as we are—
I in them and you in me.
Then they’ll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you’ve sent me and loved them
In the same way you’ve loved me.

* * *

24-26 Father, I want those you gave me
To be with me, right where I am,
So they can see my glory, the splendor you gave me,
Having loved me
Long before there ever was a world.
Righteous Father, the world has never known you,
But I have known you, and these disciples know
That you sent me on this mission.
I have made your very being known to them—
Who you are and what you do—
And continue to make it known,
So that your love for me
Might be in them
Exactly as I am in them.