John 13:19
Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπ'
Now
G575
ἀπ'
Now
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
1 of 14
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
λέγω
I tell
G3004
λέγω
I tell
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
πρὸ
before
G4253
πρὸ
before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
5 of 14
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γένηται
it come
G1096
γένηται
it come
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
7 of 14
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
9 of 14
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
γένηται
it come
G1096
γένηται
it come
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
10 of 14
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
πιστεύσητε
ye may believe
G4100
πιστεύσητε
ye may believe
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
11 of 14
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
Cross References
Isaiah 43:10Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.John 14:29And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.John 16:4But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.Malachi 3:1Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.Isaiah 48:5I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.Matthew 11:3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?Matthew 24:25Behold, I have told you before.John 8:58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Historical Context
Written AD 85-95, John addresses second-generation Christians troubled by Jesus' apparent vulnerability to betrayal. How could deity be betrayed? John shows Jesus predicted and controlled events. Ancient readers familiar with Isaiah's prophecy-fulfillment test for deity would recognize Jesus' claim. The "I AM" formula explicitly identifies Jesus with Yahweh.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' foreknowledge of betrayal demonstrate His sovereignty over apparent defeat?
- What does fulfilled prophecy reveal about Christ's identity as the eternal "I AM"?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Now I tell you before it come (ἀπ' ἄρτι, ap' arti; πρὶν γενέσθαι, prin genesthai)—Jesus prophesies Judas' betrayal (v. 21) before its occurrence. Predictive prophecy authenticates His deity. That, when it is come to pass, ye may believe (πιστεύητε, pisteuēte)—fulfilled prophecy strengthens faith. The purpose clause reveals Jesus' pastoral care: He forewarns to prevent the disciples' faith from collapsing when betrayal occurs.
That I am he (ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι, hoti egō eimi)—the KJV adds "he," but Greek simply reads "that I AM." This is the divine name from Exodus 3:14 that Jesus repeatedly claims (John 8:24, 28, 58; 18:5-6). Fulfilled prophecy proves Jesus is Yahweh incarnate. The betrayal won't negate His deity but confirm it—He foreknew and permitted it as part of redemptive plan. This echoes Isaiah 41:23, 44:6-8 where Yahweh's ability to predict the future proves His deity against false gods.