John 13:31

John 13:31, in plain English

The moment Judas leaves, Jesus says: 'Now the Son of Man is glorified.' The darkest act of betrayal sets in motion the most glorious event in history.

Why it's here

This is the great paradox of the Gospel. Betrayal leads to the cross, and the cross leads to glory. Jesus sees through the horror to the triumph on the other side.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks to the remaining disciples with a note of triumph.

Where it sits in the story

The door closes. The betrayer is gone. And Jesus, instead of mourning, speaks of glory. He sees what no one else in the room can see: that the events set in motion tonight will result in the greatest display of God's love and power the world has ever known.

The scholarly reading

With Judas gone, Jesus announces that the Son of Man is 'now' (nyn) glorified, and God is glorified in Him. The departure of the betrayer triggers the glorification process; the cross is now inevitable.

Language and setting

The repeated use of 'glorify' (doxazō, five times in vv. 31-32) forms a concentrated burst of glory theology. Paradoxically, the glorification begins with the act of betrayal that sets the crucifixion in motion.

Voice

Jesus speaks to the remaining eleven disciples after Judas' departure.

Significance

The moment the door closes behind Judas, something shifts. Jesus does not grieve but speaks of glory. The betrayal that will lead to the cross is, in John's paradoxical theology, the very mechanism of divine glorification. God will be supremely revealed in the Son's sacrificial death.

29Since Judas kept the money bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor.

30As soon as he had received the morsel, Judas went out into the night.

31When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.

32If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify the Son in Himself—and will glorify Him at once.

33Little children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

Read all of John 13 — Hours before His death, Jesus wraps a towel around His waist and washes His disciples' feet. Then He gives them a new command.