Introduction This paper will analyse Jesus’ “new commandment” in light of John’s Gospel and discuss its implications for Christian Ethics (John 13:34). Firstly, this paper will introduce Johannine ethics and analyse John 13:34 in context, before providing an exegesis of this verse. Secondly, this paper will analyse love in action, as presented in the foot washing narrative, whilst drawing out ethical implications for the believer. Finally, this paper will conclude with a summary of the findings from scholarly sources and the text of John’s Gospel.
Johannine Ethics In ethical terms, John’s gospel has perplexed many scholars, causing some to declare it, “ethically deficient.” Houlden, suggests that in John’s Gospel the believer has no proclivity …show more content…
Furthermore, most scholars agree, that foot washing was carried out by a servant or a slave (Genesis 18:4). However, in John’s Gospel, this tradition is reversed and the master washers the feet of His disciples (13:4-5). Additionally, Keener notes that foot washing normally happens prior to a meal, yet in John, Jesus rises to this role of a slave during super; drawing attention to this demonstration of love in action (13:2). Moreover, Peter’s exasperation, provides further evidence of the shocking impact that this kind of servant hearted love would have had on those present (13:6). Finally, Jesus issues the command for His disciples to do the same for one another; if a master is willing to humble Himself then so should those who serve Him …show more content…
Therefore, once an individual is able to humble themselves, and seek the betterment of their fellow believer, they will then be able to serve in true love (13:16-17). The Greek word, “agapáō” is rendered as love within this commandment (13:4). Similarly, the same Greek word is used within the expansion of this commandment in John 15:12-13. The word, agapé is one of four words in Biblical Greek rendered as love in the NT, and is best translated as: a, “self-concerned” yet “non-egocentric” longing for a loving relationship with another. However, Outka stresses, that agapé love, at its core, is self-giving, faithful and desires the benefit of the other. Furthermore, as Jesus explains, the greatest form of this, agapé love is to lay down one’s life for one’s friend (15:13).
Jesus, explicitly declares that He has the authority to both, lay down His life, but also to take it up again (10:17-18). Köstenberger, observes the use of the word rendered, “took off” in the foot washing passage, as an echo of the phrase used in the Good Shepherd discourse, rendered as, “lay down” one’s life (10:11, 15, 17, 18; 13:4). Similarly, Ridderbos observes, that the same words used for when Jesus replaces His garments, as being the same in the Good Shepherd discourse when describing the authority to, “take up” His life again (10:17,18;
Johannine Ethics In ethical terms, John’s gospel has perplexed many scholars, causing some to declare it, “ethically deficient.” Houlden, suggests that in John’s Gospel the believer has no proclivity …show more content…
Furthermore, most scholars agree, that foot washing was carried out by a servant or a slave (Genesis 18:4). However, in John’s Gospel, this tradition is reversed and the master washers the feet of His disciples (13:4-5). Additionally, Keener notes that foot washing normally happens prior to a meal, yet in John, Jesus rises to this role of a slave during super; drawing attention to this demonstration of love in action (13:2). Moreover, Peter’s exasperation, provides further evidence of the shocking impact that this kind of servant hearted love would have had on those present (13:6). Finally, Jesus issues the command for His disciples to do the same for one another; if a master is willing to humble Himself then so should those who serve Him …show more content…
Therefore, once an individual is able to humble themselves, and seek the betterment of their fellow believer, they will then be able to serve in true love (13:16-17). The Greek word, “agapáō” is rendered as love within this commandment (13:4). Similarly, the same Greek word is used within the expansion of this commandment in John 15:12-13. The word, agapé is one of four words in Biblical Greek rendered as love in the NT, and is best translated as: a, “self-concerned” yet “non-egocentric” longing for a loving relationship with another. However, Outka stresses, that agapé love, at its core, is self-giving, faithful and desires the benefit of the other. Furthermore, as Jesus explains, the greatest form of this, agapé love is to lay down one’s life for one’s friend (15:13).
Jesus, explicitly declares that He has the authority to both, lay down His life, but also to take it up again (10:17-18). Köstenberger, observes the use of the word rendered, “took off” in the foot washing passage, as an echo of the phrase used in the Good Shepherd discourse, rendered as, “lay down” one’s life (10:11, 15, 17, 18; 13:4). Similarly, Ridderbos observes, that the same words used for when Jesus replaces His garments, as being the same in the Good Shepherd discourse when describing the authority to, “take up” His life again (10:17,18;