SEV Biblia, Chapter 13:16
De cierto, de cierto os digo: El siervo no es mayor que su Seor, ni el apstol es mayor que el que le envi.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 13:16
Verse 16. The servant is not greater than his lord] Christ has ennobled the acts of humility by practising them himself. The true glory of a Christian consists in being, in his measure, as humble as his Lord. Neither he that is sent] oude apostolov Nor an apostle. As I think these words were intended for the suppression of all worldly ambition and lordly conduct in the apostles and their successors in the ministry, therefore I think the original word apostolov, should be translated apostle, rather than he that is sent, because the former rendering ascertains and determines the meaning better.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. Verily, verily, I say unto you , etc.] This is a strong way of asseveration, and is used when anything of moment and importance, and worthy of attention and observation is delivered. The servant is not greater than his Lord ; it is enough that he be as his Lord, which was a common phrase among the Jews; (see Gill on Matthew 10:24), (see Gill on Matthew 10:25); and as it is there made use of, to inform the disciples they must expect persecution, and to encourage them to bear it with patience; here it is designed to engage to humility; for if a master condescends to perform such an action, much more may a servant: neither he that is sent, is greater than he that sent him . This is also a way of speaking in use among the Jews; R. Meir says, who is greatest, he that keeps, or he that is kept? from what is written in ( Psalm 91:11), he that is kept, is greater than he that keeps: says R. Judah, which is greatest, he that carries, or he that is carried? from what is written in ( Psalm 91:12), he that is carried, is greater than he that carries: says R. Simeon, from what is written, in ( Isaiah 6:8), jltmh m lwdg jlmh ywh , he that sends, is greater than he that is sent.
Which is the very phrase here used by Christ; and his meaning is this, that if it was not below him, who had chose and called, and sent them forth as his apostles, to wash their feet, they who were sent by him, should not disdain to wash one anothers.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-17 - Our Lord Jesus has a people in the world that are his own; he ha purchased them, and paid dear for them, and he has set them apart for himself; they devote themselves to him as a peculiar people. Those who Christ loves, he loves to the end. Nothing can separate a true believe from the love of Christ. We know not when our hour will come, therefor what we have to do in constant preparation for it, ought never to be undone. What way of access the devil has to men's hearts we cannot tell. But some sins are so exceedingly sinful, and there is so littl temptation to them from the world and the flesh, that it is plain the are directly from Satan. Jesus washed his disciples' feet, that he might teach us to think nothing below us, wherein we may promote God' glory, and the good of our brethren. We must address ourselves to duty and must lay aside every thing that would hinder us in what we have to do. Christ washed his disciples' feet, that he might signify to the the value of spiritual washing, and the cleansing of the soul from the pollutions of sin. Our Lord Jesus does many things of which even his own disciples do not for the present know the meaning, but they shal know afterward. We see in the end what was the kindness from event which seemed most cross. And it is not humility, but unbelief, to pu away the offers of the gospel, as if too rich to be made to us, or to good news to be true. All those, and those only, who are spirituall washed by Christ, have a part in Christ. All whom Christ owns an saves, he justifies and sanctifies. Peter more than submits; he begs to be washed by Christ. How earnest he is for the purifying grace of the Lord Jesus, and the full effect of it, even upon his hands and head Those who truly desire to be sanctified, desire to be sanctifie throughout, to have the whole man, with all its parts and powers, mad pure. The true believer is thus washed when he receives Christ for his salvation. See then what ought to be the daily care of those wh through grace are in a justified state, and that is, to wash their feet; to cleanse themselves from daily guilt, and to watch agains everything defiling. This should make us the more cautious. From yesterday's pardon, we should be strengthened against this day' temptation. And when hypocrites are discovered, it should be n surprise or cause of stumbling to us. Observe the lesson Christ her taught. Duties are mutual; we must both accept help from our brethren and afford help to our brethren. When we see our Master serving, we cannot but see how ill it becomes us to domineer. And the same love which led Christ to ransom and reconcile his disciples when enemies still influences him.
Greek Textus Receptus
αμην 281 HEB αμην 281 HEB λεγω 3004 5719 V-PAI-1S υμιν 5213 P-2DP ουκ 3756 PRT-N εστιν 2076 5748 V-PXI-3S δουλος 1401 N-NSM μειζων 3187 A-NSM-C του 3588 T-GSM κυριου 2962 N-GSM αυτου 846 P-GSM ουδε 3761 ADV αποστολος 652 N-NSM μειζων 3187 A-NSM-C του 3588 T-GSM πεμψαντος 3992 5660 V-AAP-GSM αυτον 846 P-ASM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
16. Verily, verily. See on i. 51; x. 1.The servant. No article. Better a servant, as Rev., a bond-servant. He that is sent (apostolov). Literally, an apostle. See on Matt. x. 2.
