Before and After

Before and After - Bible Study of John 13:34

Let's look at John 13:34 and Leviticus 19:18 :

John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Leviticus 19: 18Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Lord Jesus speaks of a new commandment before Peter denies Him and after He lets the disciples know that He is aware of the betrayal plans made by Judas against Him. The commandment referred to as new is found in Leviticus 19:18, so this commandment may be new to the ones He is giving Scriptural correction to- as they did not yet make room for this one in their hearts. * We learn from John 2:25 that Jesus knows what is in the heart of every man.

Peter: Peter preferred saving his own flesh rather than speaking the truth and publicly acknowledging His relationship with Jesus to others when asked . Peter's flesh became his priority. Peter also goes to hurt the flesh of another on the night Jesus is arrested. He cuts off an ear and Jesus goes to heal and restore the ear as written in Mark 14:47 and John 18:10.

Judas : Judas had a want for money when he planned to betray Jesus. He shook hands with the Pharisees and seemed to keep a distance from Jesus when we read of how he interacts with Him in John 12:4-8 . In this passage Judas had objected to ointment being placed on Jesus instead of it being sold for money as written in John 12:4-8. Judas had a love for money greater than a love for others.


Let's look again at John 13:34 and Leviticus 19:18 :
John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Leviticus 19: 18Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Jesus spoke the words that were timely and needed for both Peter and Judas. These words offered a fresh or new opportunity to reflect and repent of what was currently in their hearts. Peter still walked in the flesh and walked after the flesh . Later on we would learn about Jesus praying for Peter's conversion in Luke 22:32. Judas would be placing Jesus in harm's way and was directly involved with His arrest. We do not read of Jesus praying for Judas and we also learn that Jesus does not pray for all . John 17:9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. We read in John 6:37-44 of God's salvation plan for those who come to Jesus by the Father drawing them . This is the only way. We read of God's compassion and want for none to perish in 2 Peter 3:9" The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. " All do not want to come to God is communicated throughout Old and New Testament. Not all repent unto God. There are hardened hearts that remain hardened and therefore the seed of God cannot take root. See Luke 8:11-15.

Jesus offered Scriptural correction that would be thought upon afterward by both Judas and Peter. Both Peter and Judas had hearts that became dishonest and performed actions that would cause others harm . Jesus knew this would happen as He knows all. He reveals to us how many times Peter would publicly deny Him. Christ Jesus proclaims who will betray Him. As mentioned above we learn in Scripture of how Peter cuts the ear off of another and Jesus restores the ear.

In Scripture we learn of Judas placing Jesus in direct line of physical harm with his betrayal plan and then Judas kills himself. The gentle Lamb of God provided Scripture that would be food for thought and food for the soul. The Bread of Life is offered freely but not all accept the invitation to dine and sup with Him.

Placing the verse(s) into action: Is John 13:34 a verse that can change what is currently in your heart? Can this verse give you a new opportunity to walk humbly with our gracious God ? Is it a verse you can share with another where it might be timely and needful for them ?


May God bless and smile upon you always.