SEV Biblia, Chapter 13:17
Si sabis estas cosas, bienaventurados seris, si las hiciereis.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 13:17
Verse 17. If ye know these things, happy, &c.] True happiness consists in the knowledge of God, and in obedience to him. A man is not happy because he knows much; but because he receives much of the Divine nature, and is, in all his conduct, conformed to the Divine will. "They who have read many books (says Menu) are more exalted than such as have seldom studied; they who retain what they have read, than forgetful readers; they who fully understand, than such as only remember; and they who perform their known duty, than such as barely know it. Sacred knowledge and devotedness to God are the means by which a man can arrive at beatitude." See Institutes of MENU, c. xii. Inst. 103, 104. For a heathen this saying is very remarkable.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 17. If ye know these things , etc.] The duties they owed to him, and one another; those kind offices of love and respect to each other; the humility, condescension, and brotherly love, which ought to be in them, and of which he had given them an example: happy are ye if ye do them ; for the bare theory, or a mere speculative knowledge of these things, is not sufficient; not he that knows and does not, but he that knows and does his masters will, is blessed; he is blessed with communion with his Lord, and shall hereafter enter into his joy, with well done good and faithful servant. There is an happiness in doing well, and which follows on it, though not for it, in a way of merit; on the other hand, persons who know and do not, are very unhappy; the Jews have a saying f580 , tw[l al dmlh , he that learns but not to do, it would have been better for him, if he had never been created; and says R. Jochanan, he that learns but not to do, it would have been better for him if his secundine had been turned upon his face, and he had never come into the world.
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
ει 1487 COND ταυτα 5023 D-APN οιδατε 1492 5758 V-RAI-2P μακαριοι 3107 A-NPM εστε 2075 5748 V-PXI-2P εαν 1437 COND ποιητε 4160 5725 V-PAS-2P αυτα 846 P-APN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
17. Happy (makarioi). Better, as Rev., blessed. See on Matt. v. 3.
