John 13 · WEB
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John 13

Jesus washes the disciples' feet

Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, the devil having already 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 came from God and was going to God, arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”

Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”

Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” For he knew him who would betray him; therefore he said, “You are not all clean.” So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’ From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am he. Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who 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

    Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me.
    Psalm 41:9 · WEB

    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.

Jesus foretells his betrayal

When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”

The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ chest. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.”

He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ chest, asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

Now nobody at the table knew why he said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Therefore having received that morsel, he went out immediately. 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.

A new commandment

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately. Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come,’ so now I tell you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.”

Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.

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.

Translation

KJVTraditional biblical languageWEBContemporary English

Chapters

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  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
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  17. 17
  18. 18
  19. 19
  20. 20
  21. 21

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Reading

Translation

KJVTraditional biblical languageWEBContemporary English

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

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