King James Bible
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
Jesus introduces this command as "new" not because love was absent from the Old Testament, but because the standard and source of love are now redefined. Spoken during the Last Supper after washing the disciples' feet, this marks a pivotal teaching moment before his crucifixion. The command specifically addresses mutual love within the community of believers, creating a distinctive mark of discipleship. This horizontal love between followers becomes the primary witness to the world. Christ's sacrificial love becomes both the model and measure—transforming love from mere sentiment to self-giving action. The repetition emphasizes that Christian love must mirror Jesus' own love, ultimately demonstrated through his death on the cross.