John 13:31 - When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.

Generated Verse: John 13:31

What does "John 13:31" mean?


This verse, John 13:31, is a pivotal moment in the Gospel of John. To understand its meaning, we need to consider the context and the language used:

Context: Immediately before this verse, Judas has left the Last Supper to betray Jesus. His departure marks the beginning of the passion, the arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus.

"When he had gone out": This signals that Judas' departure is the catalyst for the glorification that Jesus now speaks of. The forces that will lead to Jesus' death have been set in motion.

"Now the Son of Man has been glorified": This is the core of the verse.
"Son of Man": This is Jesus' preferred title for himself, emphasizing his humanity and his role as the representative of humanity before God. It also has Messianic overtones, drawing from Daniel 7:13-14, where the Son of Man receives dominion, glory, and kingship.
"Glorified": In John's Gospel, "glorification" is not just about honor or praise. It's about the revelation of God's character and power through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. It's the ultimate expression of God's love and obedience. Think of it as God's character put on display, God's presence unveiled. At the cross, Jesus will demonstrate the ultimate sacrifice and unconditional love, revealing the very nature of God. Through the resurrection, that revelation will be confirmed, that the greatest act of evil ever committed could not overcome God's will.
"Now": The term "now" indicates that the glorification begins with Judas leaving to betray Jesus. It's not just a future event; it's starting right then. The process is initiated at that moment.

"and God has been glorified in him": This is the reciprocal aspect of the glorification. Through Jesus' obedience to God's will, even to the point of death, God's character and purposes are revealed to the world.
God's love, holiness, justice, mercy, and power are all displayed in Jesus' actions and ultimate sacrifice.
Jesus perfectly embodies God's will, glorifying God by revealing the Father's heart and plan for salvation.

In Summary:

John 13:31 means that with Judas's departure to betray Jesus, the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion are set in motion. This suffering and death, culminating in the resurrection, are not a defeat but the very means by which both the Son of Man (Jesus) and God are glorified. Jesus is glorified through his obedience and sacrifice, and God is glorified through the revelation of his character and plan of salvation in Jesus. Glorification is a two way street, revealing God to humanity, and displaying Jesus' obedience to God. The glorification is the moment when the nature of God is fully shown through the work of Jesus.

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