John 13 (KJV)

John 13:1–20

Jesus washes the disciples' feet

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Before Passover, at supper, Jesus ties a towel around his waist and washes his disciples' feet; Peter refuses at first, then asks to be washed all over. Jesus explains that he has given them an example: if their Lord and Teacher washes their feet, they should wash one another's. He also hints that one of them will betray him.

Scripture connection · Quotation · presented as fulfilled

John 13:18 quotes Psalm 41:9

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Psalm 41:9 · KJV

A psalm of betrayal by a trusted companion who shared one's bread, applied to Judas.

What does this mean?

"Girded himself" (KJV) means tied the towel around his waist like a servant. "Bason" is an old spelling of basin. "Lifted up his heel against me" is an image of betrayal by a close companion.

Historical context

Roads were dusty and people wore sandals, so washing guests' feet on arrival was customary. It was a menial task, usually done by servants or slaves, not by a host or teacher. John places this meal "before the feast of the Passover" (13:1), while Matthew, Mark and Luke present the Last Supper as a Passover meal; scholars explain the difference in various ways.

Why does it matter?

John does not describe the bread and wine of the Last Supper; this act takes its place in his account. Christians have understood it as a model of humble service, and some churches practise foot-washing as a ritual, especially on the Thursday before Easter. Interpreters also see it as a picture of the cleansing Jesus' death brings.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

John 13:21–30

Jesus foretells his betrayal

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

Deeply troubled, Jesus says one of them will betray him, and Peter signals to the disciple whom Jesus loved, reclining next to him, to ask who it is. Jesus answers that it is the one to whom he gives a piece of dipped bread, and gives it to Judas. Judas goes out at once, into the night.

What does this mean?

"Sop" (KJV) or "morsel" means a piece of bread dipped in sauce. "Leaning on Jesus' bosom" (KJV) describes reclining next to him at table.

Historical context

At formal meals people reclined on their left side, so the person next to the host could lean back against his chest to speak privately. Offering someone a choice morsel could be a gesture of honour or friendship.

Why does it matter?

This is the first explicit appearance of "the disciple whom Jesus loved", who is never named. Christian tradition from the second century identified him with John son of Zebedee; many scholars think the identification uncertain and have proposed other figures. "It was night" works on two levels, given the Gospel's imagery of light and darkness.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

John 13:31–38

A new commandment

Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

After Judas leaves, Jesus says that now the Son of Man is glorified. He tells the disciples he will be with them only a little longer and gives them a new commandment: to love one another as he has loved them. Peter insists he will follow Jesus and even die for him, but Jesus predicts that Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows.

What does this mean?

"Little children" is an affectionate address, like a teacher to students. "The cock shall not crow" (KJV) refers to the rooster crowing before dawn.

Historical context

Love for one's neighbour was already commanded in the law (Leviticus 19:18). What is new here is the standard: "as I have loved you". The English name "Maundy Thursday" comes from the Latin word for commandment (mandatum), after this verse.

Why does it matter?

Love among the disciples becomes the mark by which others will recognise them. Peter's confident promise and its failure prepare for his denials in chapter 18 and his restoration in chapter 21.

Editorial notes, not scripture.