John 13:34 Text
King James Version (KJV)
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
World English Bible (WEB)
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.
What John 13:34 Means
Jesus calls his command to love 'new', even though loving one's neighbor was already in the law. What makes it new is the measure: love one another as I have loved you. Jesus is about to show what that means by washing his disciples' feet, which he has just done, and by going to the cross. So the standard is not warm feelings or a polite attitude; it is self-giving service that costs something. The word 'commandment' also tells us this is not optional, though the love in view is more than duty. The KJV and WEB are nearly identical, with the WEB sentence breaks making the 'just as' clearer. In the next verse Jesus says this love will be how everyone recognizes his disciples.
Context of John 13:34
This is part of the Last Supper discourse in John's Gospel, traditionally attributed to John the apostle. It comes right after Jesus washes the disciples' feet and Judas leaves to betray him. Jesus tells his friends he will be with them only a little longer. He then gives this command, predicts that Peter will deny him, and goes on to comfort them with the promise of the Holy Spirit. To read the whole book, see random verse from John.
How to Apply John 13:34
Think of one person in your life, a coworker, relative, or fellow church member, who is hard to love. Ask what a practical act of service for them might look like this week, small and specific. Loving as Jesus did does not mean you have to feel it first, and you can ask for his help to do it.
Related Verses
- John 15:12 – This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
- 1 John 4:11 – Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
- Ephesians 5:2 – And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
- Romans 12:10 – Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Looking for more verses on this theme? Browse Bible Verses About Love, each with a short note on its context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is John 13:34 called a new commandment?
Loving others was already commanded in the Old Testament. Jesus calls this new because he sets a new standard: love one another as he loved them, which he showed by serving and giving up his life.
How did Jesus love his disciples?
In John 13 he washed their feet, a servant's task, and soon after gave his life for them. He loved them sacrificially and humbly, even knowing that one would betray him and another would deny him.
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