Logos Bible Study

John 13:15–16

The NET BibleOther versions

English

Arabic

Czech

French

German

Greek

Hungarian

Italian

Korean

Latin

Portuguese

Russian

Simplified Chinese

Spanish

Traditional Chinese

13:15For I have given you an example36—you should do just as I have done for you. 13:16I tell you the solemn truth,37 the slave38 is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent as a messenger39 greater than the one who sent him.

Read in Logos

Footnotes

  1. 36 I have given you an example. Jesus tells his disciples after he has finished washing their feet that what he has done is to set an example for them. In the previous verse he told them they were to wash one another’s feet. What is the point of the example? If it is simply an act of humble service, as most interpret the significance, then Jesus is really telling his disciples to serve one another in humility rather than seeking preeminence over one another. If, however, the example is one of self-sacrifice up to the point of death, then Jesus is telling them to lay down their lives for one another (cf. 15:13).
  2. 37 Grk “Truly, truly, I say to you.”
  3. 38 See the note on the word “slaves” in .
  4. 39 Or “nor is the apostle” (“apostle” means “one who is sent” in Greek).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

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

CSBChristian Standard Bible

For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you.

“Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him.

NLTNew Living Translation

I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

For I have given you an example, that just as I have done for you, you also do. Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

KJV 1900King James Version

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.