What was new about Jesus’ new commandment?

John 13 is a complex chapter about one really big idea: love. Specifically, Jesus’ love for his followers. The first half of the chapter gives a picture of the kind of humility Jesus carried himself with as he washed his disciples’ feet. In verses 21-30, Jesus showed extraordinary love to Judas, even as Judas was intent on handing him over to be executed.1 He shows equally extraordinary love to Peter at the end of the chapter.2

But he also makes a profound statement about love in John 13:34–...