*John 13:1-20
Jesus washes his disciples’ feet, demonstrating humility and setting an example of service for others.
- Context and Introduction:
- The scene is set during the Passover meal, before Jesus’ arrest.
- Jesus is aware that his time has come to leave the world and return to the Father.
- He loves his disciples deeply and demonstrates this love fully through his actions.
- Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet:
- During the meal, Jesus gets up, removes his outer garments, and wraps a towel around his waist.
- He pours water into a basin and begins to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel.
- Peter’s Initial Refusal:
- When Jesus reaches Peter, he initially refuses, questioning why Jesus, his teacher, would perform such a task.
- Jesus tells Peter that he will understand later and insists that Peter allow him to wash his feet.
- Peter then asks for a full cleansing, but Jesus explains that one who is clean needs only their feet washed.
- Significance and Teaching:
- Jesus finishes washing their feet, puts his outer garments back on, and returns to his place.
- He explains to the disciples that as their Lord and Teacher, he has set an example for them to follow.
- Just as he washed their feet, they should serve each other humbly.
- Blessing through Service:
- Jesus emphasizes that knowing these things is not enough; they are blessed if they put them into practice.
- Announcement of Betrayal:
- Jesus hints that not all his disciples are clean, implying Judas’s impending betrayal.
- He quotes Psalm 41:9, indicating that one who shares bread with him will betray him.
- Jesus clarifies that he knows those he has chosen and that this prophecy is being fulfilled.
- He tells the disciples now so that they will believe when it happens.
- He adds that whoever receives anyone he sends receives him, and whoever receives him also receives the Father.
13:1 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.
13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
13:5 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.
13:6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 13:7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
13:9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
13:10 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.
13:11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
13:12 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? 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
13:16 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.
13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
13:18 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.
13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.