John 13:19 Meaning and Explanation
“Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus foretells the betrayal so that, when it comes to pass, the disciples will believe who he is.
What Does John 13:19 Mean?
Why announce treachery in advance? Jesus gives his reason: prophecy spoken beforehand becomes an anchor for faith afterward. When the arrest comes, the disciples could conclude that their Master had been overtaken by forces beyond him. The foretelling proves the opposite: nothing befalls him that he has not already seen and accepted.
The wording reaches deeper still. "I am he" echoes the speech of the LORD in Isaiah, who tells his witnesses, "that ye may know and believe me... I am he" (Isaiah 43:10). The disciples' darkest night was designed in advance to become evidence; when memory replayed his words, faith would stand. What he tells us beforehand in his word is meant to hold us steady when the foretold storm arrives.
John 13:19 in the Original Language
ego eimi (ἐγώ εἰμι), 'I am he' -- literally 'I am'; the word 'he' is supplied by the translators.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 13:19
What does John 13:19 mean?
Jesus foretells the betrayal so that, when it comes to pass, the disciples will believe who he is.