John 13

     See notes introducing Mt.26, and at Luke 22:1,7.  As discussed in those places, many liberal writers argue that John has Jesus eat the Last Supper a day in advance of Passover, so that he is slain at the hour when the Passover lamb is slain.  Their major points are made at 13:1,29; 18:28; 19:14.  Most of this has been dealt with above, but we will deal with each of these verses in their place.

     13:1.  There is no reason to believe that John’s use of the word “before” means a whole day before.  He is introducing the events immediately preceding the meal.

     13:2-20.  The devil was using Judas (2), playing him like a pipe organ, but this in no way violated his free will.  It was his desire to do what he did, according to his fallen nature.  The more overwhelming the desire, the freer the choice.

      Likewise with Jesus.  Because of his pure nature, it was his overwhelming desire to do the Father’s will.  This he did most freely, because of the absolute nature of the compulsion.  The fact that God cannot lie proves not only the holy nature of God’s will, but his absolute freedom to do what he pleases.  Just so, it pleased Jesus to come to wash sinners, and to die for them (cf. Phip.2:6-7).  It was certain, but it was not easy (cf.12:27). 

     Jonathan Edwards calls the freedom that compels us to do as we most please “moral necessity.”  We do as we do, good or bad, not because we cannot do otherwise, but because we will not, the will being determined by our moral nature.

     13:18.  Jesus does the choosing.  He chose his sheep.  He chose Judas as well, but he was predestined for another purpose altogether (cf. Luke 22:22).

     Luke 22:15-23 makes it clear that Judas ate and drank the Lord’s Supper with the others.  But he did so in an unworthy manner, and so ate and drank judgment to himself (1 Cor.11:27-29).

     13:26.  See 18, quoting Ps.41:9.

     13:27.  Here is your free will!  Judas is a puppet of Satan, a hard master.  But Jesus gives Satan his orders.  Even in rebellion, Satan (and his slave) must unwittingly serve God the Sovereign for his ultimate glory (cf.31-32).

     13:28.  Even Judas must have thought that Jesus had sent him out for some other reason.

     13:29.  Since they are eating the Passover, the “things needed for the feast” must mean either something additional, or else provision for a meal to come.  After all, the entire feast was an eight day affair (Passover and Unleavened Bread).

     13:30-35.  Typical of John, “…it was night,” is loaded with more than literal meaning.  Darkness was afoot (cf. Luke 22:53).  Luke 22:24 shows that another dispute arose at this point over who was greatest.  Darkness again.  This may be the context for the commandment to love one another (34-35).

      13:36-38.  Although Peter’s question (36) refers to Jesus’ statement that he is going away (33), it also appears that they left the upper room at this point (cf. Mt.26:30-35; Mark 14:26-31).