Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
John 13:1-20
John records the time right before the Passover Feast when Jesus gave his disciples an incredible act of service. The time was getting close for Jesus to be crucified on the cross and return to Heaven.
John notes that Jesus knew this time had come. The text records that Jesus showed those he loved in the world the full extent of his love.
Jesus and the disciples ate a meal together and the devil was working on Judas Iscariot on his plot to betray Jesus.
John notes that Jesus knew that he had all the power from God and everything was under his control. Jesus had come from God and would be returning to God.
Jesus was fully man, but fully God at the same time.
Jesus got up from the table, removed his tunic, and took a towel around his waist. Jesus then took water and poured it in to a basin and began to wash the disciple’s feet. Jesus took the towel and dried their feet.
Henry notes that, “It would have turned many a squeamish stomach to wash dirty feet at supper time, but Christ did it, not so that we could learn to be rude and slovenly—cleanliness and godliness go well together—but to teach us not to indulge, but put to death, the refined preferences of appetite, giving good manners their due place, and no more.” (1813)
Jesus had finished the meal with his disciples and began to go around to his disciples to wash their feet.
He approached Peter and Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus responded to Peter, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
Peter declined by saying, “No, you shall never was my feet.”
Jesus answered Peter, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
Peter said to Jesus, “Then, Lord, not just my feet buy my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus replied, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”
John notes that Jesus knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said everyone there was not clean.
Jesus finished washing the disciples feet, put back on his outer layer clothes, and returned to his place at the table.
Jesus said, “Do you understand what I have done for you?” You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
Jesus continued, “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this to fulfill the scripture; ‘He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.’”
Jesus continued, “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
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