How does John 13:31 reveal Jesus' understanding of His glorification through suffering?
Setting the Scene: A Door Closes, Glory Opens
“When Judas had gone out” (John 13:31a) signals the moment the betrayer leaves, and Christ turns to His faithful disciples. The stage is set: darkness outside, divine purpose inside.
Key Declaration: “Now the Son of Man Is Glorified”John 13:31: “When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.’”
• “Now” — not after the resurrection, but beginning with the very events that will lead to the cross.
• “Son of Man” —Daniel 7:13-14’s majestic figure, yet here He chooses a path of suffering.
• “Is glorified” — perfect tense in Greek; the plan is settled, the glory already certain.
Glory Through Suffering: How the Verse Unpacks Jesus’ Mindset• The betrayal sets in motion His arrest, trials, scourging, and crucifixion—yet He calls it “glory.”
• For Jesus, suffering is not a detour from glory but the avenue to it (cf.John 12:23-24).
• The Father’s character—justice, holiness, love—will shine most brightly at Calvary (Romans 3:25-26).
• Mutual glorification: the Son displays the Father’s nature; the Father vindicates the Son (John 17:1-5).
Old Testament Echoes Affirmed•Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12: the Servant is “raised and lifted up and highly exalted” (52:13) through being “pierced for our transgressions” (53:5).
•Psalm 22 moves from “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (v.1) to worldwide praise (v.27). Jesus sees Himself fulfilling this arc.
New Testament Confirmation•Philippians 2:8-11: humiliation “to the point of death—yes, death on a cross” leads to the name above every name.
•Hebrews 2:9-10: Jesus is “crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death.”
•1 Peter 1:11: the Spirit foretold “the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.”
Practical Takeaways for Believers• Suffering does not nullify God’s glory; it often unveils it.
• God’s purposes can be “now” even before visible results.
• Glory in Scripture is inseparable from obedience and sacrifice—true for Christ, true for us (Matthew 16:24).
