John 13:7
Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This exchange occurred within hours of Jesus's betrayal. The disciples remained confused about Jesus's mission despite three years of teaching. They expected Messiah to overthrow Rome and establish David's throne, not die as a criminal. Jesus's cryptic references to death and resurrection (Mark 8:31-33) bewildered them—Peter had even rebuked Jesus for such talk. Here Jesus acknowledges the gap between event and understanding, promising illumination would come 'after these things'—fulfilled when the risen Christ opened their minds to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45) and the Spirit came at Pentecost (John 14:26). The early church treasured this verse as validation for their post-resurrection theological development, understanding depths in Jesus's actions they'd missed at the time.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to trust Christ's actions before understanding His purposes, and how does this apply to suffering or confusion in your life?
- How does the promise of future understanding sustain faith during present darkness or theological perplexity?
- In what ways has your understanding of Scripture or God's work deepened 'hereafter'—after experiencing what you once merely heard about?
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Christ's response to Peter's protest introduces the pedagogical principle that divine actions often precede human understanding. The phrase What I do (ἐγὼ ποιῶ/egō poiō) emphasizes Jesus's sovereignty—I am doing this, regardless of your comprehension. The present tense poiō stresses ongoing action with multiple layers of meaning.
The contrast between now (ἄρτι/arti) and hereafter (μετὰ ταῦτα/meta tauta) structures Christian experience: we walk by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Arti indicates the immediate present moment—Peter in his pre-cross confusion cannot grasp what unfolds. Meta tauta (literally 'after these things') points beyond the crucifixion, resurrection, and Pentecost to the Spirit-enlightened understanding that follows.
The verb knowest (οἶδας/oidas) refers to intuitive, perceptive knowledge, while shalt know (γνώσῃ/gnōsē) uses γινώσκω (ginōskō), meaning experiential knowledge gained through relationship. Peter will move from confused observation to participated understanding. This parallels Jesus's earlier words: What I do thou knowest not now applies to the cross itself—disciples flee in confusion, but later understand redemption accomplished.