Most
certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
John 13:16-17
John 13 [9.] Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
John 13 [10.] Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, “You are not all clean.” So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen. But that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’ From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am he. Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me.”
John 13 [21.] When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”
Meaning:
Jesus had just washed his disciples’ feet and told them, “you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15). These two verses drive the lesson home. If the Master stooped to serve, no servant of his can consider such work beneath him, and knowing the lesson is not enough; it must be lived.
- “Most certainly I tell you”
Jesus used this solemn introduction, literally “Amen, amen,” to mark words of special weight. What follows is not a passing remark but a principle for the whole life of discipleship.
- “A servant is not greater than his lord”
In the ancient world a household slave never ranked above his master. If the master did a task, the slave could not refuse it as too lowly. Jesus applied this to the foot washing: he is the Lord, they are his servants, and so they must be ready to do what he did. Jesus used the same saying in other settings. When he sent out the Twelve he warned, “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord” (Matthew 10:24), meaning they should expect the same opposition he faced. Later that evening he would remind them of this very word: “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Following Jesus means sharing both his humble service and his rejection by the world.
- “Neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him”
The word for “one who is sent” is the root of the word “apostle.” The disciples were about to become apostles, sent into the world with Jesus’ authority. After his resurrection he would tell them, “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you” (John 20:21). Their authority would be real, but it would always be borrowed. No messenger outranks the one who sends him, and no Christian leader may use his position to rise above the humble pattern set by Jesus. Jesus himself lived as one sent by the Father, always doing his Father’s will.
- “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them”
Jesus pronounces a blessing, not on those who merely understand the lesson, but on those who practise it. The disciples now knew what humble service looked like; the question was whether they would live it out. Jesus taught the same at the end of the Sermon on the Mount: “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock” (Matthew 7:24). James echoes it: “But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves” (James 1:22).
The Significance of John 13:16-17
- Humility in Christian service
No task done in love for others is beneath a follower of Jesus. Pride often hides behind position or title, but Jesus removes every excuse: if the Lord served, so must his servants. Jesus said elsewhere, “But he who is greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11).
- Sent with borrowed authority
Every believer is in some sense sent by Christ into family, work and community. We represent him, not ourselves. This keeps us dependent on him and guards us against using spiritual responsibility for personal gain.
- The joy of obedience
The blessing Jesus promises comes through doing, not only knowing. Many people know a great deal about the Bible but are slow to act. Real happiness in the Christian life is found in putting Jesus’ words into practice, often in small, unseen acts of kindness.
Cross-References:
Matthew 10:24: "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord." The same saying spoken to the Twelve.
John 20:21: "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." The disciples sent as Jesus was sent.
James 1:22: "But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves." Knowing must lead to doing.
Luke 11:28: "On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it." Blessing for those who obey.
Conclusion: After washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus reminded them that a servant is not greater than his lord and a messenger is not greater than the one who sends him. If the Lord took the lowest place, his followers must be willing to do the same. Jesus promised that the blessing belongs not to those who simply know this, but to those who do it.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible