Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

JOHN 13:16KJV
Know the Bible

John 13:16 (KJV)

What does John 13:16 mean?

John 13:16 means that a servant is never above the one they serve, and someone who is sent is not greater than the one who sent them. Jesus is teaching that no follower or messenger should think themselves more important than the one who gives them their purpose or authority.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples after washing their feet, a humble act usually done by servants. He uses this moment to remind them that if He, their teacher and Lord, serves them, they should not see themselves as too important to serve others. The verse sets up a lesson about humility and the right attitude toward service and leadership.

The Greek behind John 13:16

  • "Servant" (δοῦλος, doulos): This word means a bondservant or slave, someone with no higher status than their master. Jesus uses it to highlight the humility expected of His followers.
  • "Lord" (κύριος, kyrios): This term means master or one with authority. The contrast between "servant" and "lord" sharpens the point that those under authority should not act as if they are above it.
  • "Sent" (ἀπόστολος, apostolos; and πέμπω, pempō): The word for "sent" here refers to someone sent out with a mission or message. Jesus is showing that even those sent out with authority remain under the authority of the sender.

Why John 13:16 matters

  • John 13:16 clears up any idea that Christian leadership or service is about status or self-importance; it roots leadership in humility and service.
  • The verse ties directly to the wider passage, where Jesus washes His disciples’ feet, showing that even the highest should be willing to take the lowest place.
  • This teaching helps prevent pride or rivalry among Jesus' followers by reminding them that no one is above the example and authority of Jesus Himself.

Where else these words appear

“than” Greek G3187 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
  • Luke 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
  • John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

“sent” Greek G652 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
  • Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
  • 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

“sent” Greek G3992 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
  • Acts 19:31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

“servant” Greek G1401 · used in 119 verses

  • Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
  • Luke 7:10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.