John 13:20
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus emphasizes that receiving his messengers is equivalent to receiving him, and receiving him is equivalent to receiving God the Father. This highlights that the authority and divine backing behind his mission extend directly to those he sends, regardless of their personal worthiness. Therefore, rejecting a messenger is essentially rejecting God himself, and by extension, the entire plan of salvation.
Jesus has just washed His disciples' feet, a profound act of humility and service, and has declared that one of them will betray Him. In this moment, He emphasizes the divine authority behind His mission and the serious implications of accepting or rejecting those He sends. This teaching underscores that rejecting Christ's messengers is equivalent to rejecting Christ Himself, and by extension, God the Father.
Jesus is about to speak about betrayal, but then pivots to the immense significance of those He sends out. What does this reveal about His authority and the people He chooses?
Jesus emphasizes a profound connection between Himself, the Father, and those He sends out.
Jesus speaks these words right after pointing to Judas, the one who would betray Him. How can Jesus say that receiving His messengers is receiving Him, even when one of them is deeply flawed?
Jesus addresses a critical tension: the unworthiness of a messenger does not invalidate the divine commission.
Understand the original words
lambanō · Greek Verb
To accept, welcome, or take into one's life or company. In a spiritual sense, it involves embracing the message and the messenger sent by God, which is equivalent to receiving God Himself.
This verse, spoken at the Last Supper just before Jesus' betrayal, highlights the profound connection between Jesus, his Father, and those sent by Jesus. It reassures the disciples that their mission and ministry are divinely authorized, and that rejection or acceptance of them is equivalent to rejecting or accepting God Himself.
c. 30 AD— this verse
The Last Supper
Jesus shares his final meal with his disciples, foreshadowing his betrayal and crucifixion, and instructing them on humility and service.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Predicts Judas's Betrayal
Jesus explicitly states that one of the twelve disciples will betray him, referencing Old Testament prophecy to underscore the divine plan.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Washes Disciples' Feet
Jesus models servant leadership by washing his disciples' feet, a profound act of humility and a call for them to serve one another.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Farewell Discourse
Jesus delivers extended teachings to his disciples, emphasizing love, mutual support, and his impending departure and return to the Father.
This passage directly echoes Jesus' teaching that receiving His messengers is equivalent to receiving Him, reinforcing the divine authority vested in those He sends.
Luke 10:16This verse states that anyone who rejects Jesus' disciples is rejecting Jesus Himself, and by extension, the Father who sent Him, highlighting the profound connection between the messenger and the sender.
1 Samuel 15:22-23This passage shows that disobedience is akin to the sin of idolatry and witchcraft, illustrating the gravity of rejecting God's appointed authority, which is relevant to rejecting those Jesus sends.
Galatians 4:14Paul reminds the Galatians that they received him 'as if he were Jesus Christ himself,' demonstrating how believers can recognize and honor Christ through His authorized messengers.
calvinJohn 13:18-20: "I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me."
- I speak not of you all; I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He who eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 19. I tell you this now, before it happen, that when it shall have happened, you may believe that I am. [52] 20. Verily, verily, I tell you, if I send any one. he wh…
clarkeJohn 13:20: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me."
He that received whomsoever I send - See similar words, Matthew 10:40 , etc. Our Lord spoke this to comfort his disciples: he showed them that, although they should be rejected by many, they would be received by several; and that whoever received them should reap the utmost benefit by it.
Jesus emphasizes that receiving his messengers is equivalent to receiving him, and receiving him is equivalent to receiving God the Father. This highlights that the authority and divine backing behind his mission extend directly to those he sends, regardless of their personal worthiness. Therefore, rejecting a messenger is essentially rejecting God himself, and by extension, the entire plan of salvation.
Jesus has just washed His disciples' feet, a profound act of humility and service, and has declared that one of them will betray Him. In this moment, He emphasizes the divine authority behind His mission and the serious implications of accepting or rejecting those He sends. This teaching underscores that rejecting Christ's messengers is equivalent to rejecting Christ Himself, and by extension, God the Father.
Jesus has just washed His disciples' feet, a profound act of humility and service, and has declared that one of them will betray Him. In this moment, He emphasizes the divine authority behind His mission and the serious implications of accepting or rejecting those He sends. This teaching underscores that rejecting Christ's messengers is equivalent to rejecting Christ Himself, and by extension, God the Father.
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c. 30 AD
Jesus Prays for Unity
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus offers a final prayer for his disciples' unity and spiritual protection, highlighting their dependence on God.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Arrest and Crucifixion
Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, leading to his arrest, trial, and crucifixion, fulfilling prophecies and demonstrating God's plan for salvation.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”" — Jesus emphasizes that receiving his messengers is equivalent to receiving him, and receiving him is equivalent to receiving God the Father. This highlights that the authority and divine backing behin…
