John 13:17 - Exposition

If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them . Knowing and doing are often perilously divorced (cf. Matthew 7:21 , etc.; Luke 6:46 ; Luke 12:47 ; and James 1:25 ). The sublime principle by itself may be something, but if it be never put into practice, the last great beatitude is forfeited. Mere admiration of an ethical or a Christian principle degenerating into a heartless and fruitless ceremony is hardening to the heart and deadening to the conscience. The same truths had been taught independently of parable and symbol, in Matthew 23:8-12 ; Matthew 20:28 .