glory

The Gospel According to John 13:31–35 (NABRE) looks ahead to when Jesus will be glorified. What exactly does Jesus mean by that, and what is it that Jesus is going to look like?

The Greek word δόξα (doxa) translated as glory is related to a verb meaning “to expect,” “to seem,” or “to appear.” From this meaning of appearance, the same root also comes to mean “a judgment” or “an opinion” based on how things seem or look to an observer. As such, doxa was the word used to refer to popular opinion in Greek culture—how something seems or appears. Our word orthodox comes from the same Greek root and refers to things that seem or appear straight.

An appearance-based idea of glory may at first seem odd to us in the context of God because we tend to think of God’s glory having more to do with who God is than with how God seems. The idea of glory or splendor of God being associated with the Greek word doxa comes from its use in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. This version of the Old Testament uses the word doxa to translate a Hebrew word meaning “splendor” or “brightness” having directly to do with the appearance of God.

Jesus here seems to be describing a revelation or appearance of the Son of man—God in human form—that somehow is different from how Jesus appeared before his death and Resurrection.

Consider what you think God might look like.

related topics: grace; hope; judgment

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