John 13:33

John 13:33, in plain English

Jesus calls them 'little children,' one of the most tender moments in all of Scripture. He tells them gently that He is leaving soon and they cannot come with Him yet.

Why it's here

This is the beginning of Jesus' long farewell to His friends. He knows they will feel lost without Him, and He is preparing them as lovingly as He can for the separation that is coming.

Who's speaking

Jesus addresses His disciples with deep, parental affection.

Where it sits in the story

There is a catch in Jesus' words: 'little children.' He loves these men so deeply, and He knows what they are about to go through. He cannot shield them from the pain, but He can prepare them. And so He begins the tenderest goodbye in all of history.

The scholarly reading

Jesus addresses the disciples as 'little children' (teknia), a term of deep affection used only here in the Gospels (common in 1 John). He warns that His departure is imminent and they cannot follow yet.

Language and setting

The phrase 'as I said to the Jews' refers to John 7:33-34 and 8:21. However, unlike the Jews, the disciples will eventually follow Jesus (cf. v. 36). The tender address signals the intimate nature of the farewell discourse.

Voice

Jesus speaks tenderly to His disciples, preparing them for His departure.

Significance

Jesus shifts to the most intimate possible address: 'little children.' He is about to leave them, and He knows they will search for Him. The path He walks, through death, is one they cannot follow yet. It is a parent's farewell to beloved children, full of love and necessary sorrow.

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.’

34A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.

35By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

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.