13:1
We now enter the time just before the crucifixion, and John focuses on Jesus’ teaching to the disciples, whereas the synoptics concentrate on the last supper, and Jesus’ teaching to the crowds. There is a lot of discussion on how John’s timeline corresponds to that found in the synoptics. If you want to know more about that then it is best to look at a good commentary, such as the one by Carson. I must admit I don’t find such discussions particularly enlightening, that is not to say that they are not important, but I will stick to what John wants to teach us.
Jesus knew “that His hour had come”. Jesus was going to return to the Father. Thus far there has been a big emphasis on the fact that Jesus came from the Father, and was sent by Him. Now He will return to the Father. “He loved them to the end”. This can be taken as “He loved them to the uttermost”, or in a temporal sense. Both are true, and are not at odds with each other. It is amazing that given all that Jesus was about to go through, He was still fully focused on loving the disciples, and preparing them for the future.
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