John 13:7
Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
John 13:7 · King James Version
Meaning
When Jesus responded with the words, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter," he was speaking to his disciple Peter. This statement was made during a conversation where Peter was questioning Jesus about his actions and teachings. In this verse, Jesus is explaining to Peter that there are things happening that he may not fully understand at the present moment, but eventually, he will come to comprehend their significance. Jesus was hinting at the future unfolding of events and the revelation of God's plan. This verse serves as a reminder that there are aspects of God's plan and wisdom that may be beyond our immediate comprehension, but trust and faith in Him will ultimately lead to understanding in due time. It encourages believers to have patience and faith in God's timing and purpose, even when things may seem uncertain or confusing.
Theological Overview
In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciple Peter, who did not understand the significance of Jesus washing his feet. Jesus responds by telling Peter that he may not fully comprehend the act in the present moment, but he will understand its meaning in the future. This statement reflects a common theme in the Bible where God's purposes may not always be clear to us immediately, but they will ultimately be revealed to us in due time. The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes the importance of having faith and trust in God's plan, even when we may not understand it at the moment. It teaches us to be patient and to rely on God's wisdom and guidance. Through word studies, we can delve deeper into the original Greek words used in this verse to gain a more nuanced understanding of the message Jesus is conveying to Peter. By exploring the context and the etymology of the words, we can uncover additional layers of meaning that enrich our interpretation of the verse.
John 13:7 in other translations
American Standard Version
Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter.
World English Bible
Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”
Douay-Rheims
Jesus answered and said to him: What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Iesus answered and sayd vnto him, What I doe, thou knowest not nowe: but thou shalt knowe it hereafter.