John 13:20 (KJV)

What does John 13:20 mean?

John 13:20 means that whoever welcomes or accepts someone sent by Jesus is, in a real sense, welcoming Jesus himself, and by extension, welcoming God who sent Jesus. This verse highlights a chain of connection and representation that starts with God, continues through Jesus, and extends to those Jesus sends out.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to his disciples during the Last Supper, just after he has washed their feet and is preparing them for what is to come. He is emphasizing that his followers, when sent out in his name, carry his authority and presence with them. The statement reassures the disciples of their important role and the deep unity between God, Jesus, and his messengers.

The Greek behind John 13:20

• "Verily, verily" (ἀμὴν ἀμὴν, amēn amēn): This phrase is a strong way of saying, "Truly, truly" or "I assure you," signaling that what follows is especially important and trustworthy.
• "Receiveth" (λαμβάνω, lambanō): This Greek word means "to take" or "to receive," and here it carries the sense of welcoming or accepting someone. The repetition in the verse underscores the act of accepting not just a person, but the one who sent them.
• "Send" (πέμπω, pempō): This word means "to send" or "to dispatch." Jesus uses it to describe how he sends his followers, just as he himself was sent by God. It highlights the idea of being an official representative.

Why John 13:20 matters

• John 13:20 clarifies that the authority and presence of Jesus are closely tied to those he sends, so accepting his messengers is spiritually significant.
• This verse helps explain why Jesus’s followers are called to act as his representatives, connecting their mission directly to his own and to God’s.
• The verse sets up the context for the events that follow, including Judas’s betrayal, by stressing the importance of loyalty and acceptance among Jesus’s chosen ones.