John13

Before the Passover, Jesus humbly washes his disciples' feet, setting an example of service and love. He then reveals that one of them will betray him, identifying Judas Iscariot, who promptly departs. Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment to love one another. Finally, he foretells Peter's denial.

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

1
Now before the feast of the Passover, Yeshua, 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. ​
2
During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judah Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, ​
3
Yeshua, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God, ​
4
arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
5
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. ​
6
Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”
7
Yeshua answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.” ​
8
Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Yeshua answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.” ​
9
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
10
Yeshua 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.” ​
11
For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, “You are not all clean.”

The Meaning of the Example

12
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?
13
You call me, ‘Rabbi’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am.
14
If I then, the Lord and the Rabbi, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ​
15
For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
16
Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him. ​
17
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
18
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.’ ​
19
From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am he.
20
Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me.”

Jesus Predicts His Betrayer

21
When Yeshua had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.” ​
22
The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke.
23
One of his disciples, whom Yeshua loved, was at the table, leaning against Yeshua’s breast. ​
24
Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.”
25
He, leaning back, as he was, on Yeshua’s breast, asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
26
Yeshua 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 Judah, the son of Simon Iscariot. ​
27
After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Then Yeshua said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” ​
28
Now no man at the table knew why he said this to him.
29
For some thought, because Judah had the money box, that Yeshua said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
30
Therefore having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night. ​

The New Commandment of Love

31
When he had gone out, Yeshua said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. ​
32
If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately.
33
Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Judeans, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come,’ so now I tell you.
34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. ​
35
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” ​

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial

36
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Yeshua answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.” ​
37
Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” ​
38
Yeshua 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. ​

Study Notes for John 13

Verse 1

Contextualizes the event within the Passover week. Jesus’ awareness of his impending death ('his hour was come') sets the stage for this ultimate act of humble love and service ('unto the end').

Verse 2

The presence of the devil emphasizes the spiritual warfare surrounding the events. Judas’s action is presented as a choice influenced by evil, despite his proximity to Christ.

Verse 3

The height of Jesus’ divine authority and power ('given all things into his hands') makes the subsequent act of humility (foot washing) even more profound and intentional.

Verse 5

Foot washing was normally performed by the lowest household slave. By taking on this role, Jesus radically reverses the master/servant hierarchy, demonstrating true leadership.

Verse 7

Jesus introduces the theme of delayed understanding; the full significance of his actions, especially his sacrificial death, could only be grasped by the disciples after the resurrection.

Verse 8

Peter initially rejects the act, but Jesus clarifies that accepting his cleansing is essential for fellowship ('have no part with me'), linking the physical act to spiritual submission and purification.

Verse 10

Jesus distinguishes between being 'washed' (fully clean, referring to initial spiritual cleansing/salvation) and needing only to wash the feet (daily cleansing from sins encountered in the world). The exception 'not all' refers to Judas.

Verse 14

This verse is the explicit command derived from the example: the disciples must practice mutual, humble servanthood, making Jesus' action a model for Christian community life.

Verse 16

A proverbial saying emphasizing that disciples must not seek status or privilege above Christ, but must imitate his self-sacrificing pattern of service.

Verse 18

Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9, confirming that the betrayal, however painful, was foreknown and occurred in fulfillment of Scripture, reinforcing God’s sovereign plan.

Verse 21

Jesus was 'troubled in spirit,' demonstrating his genuine human emotion and profound sorrow over the imminent betrayal by one of his close companions.

Verse 23

'The disciple whom Jesus loved' is John’s self-designation, emphasizing the intimacy of his relationship with Christ and serving as a model for discipleship.

Verse 26

Giving the 'sop' (a dipped piece of bread) was a gesture of respect or intimacy among guests. Giving this honor to Judas right before naming him heightens the dramatic irony of the betrayal.

Verse 27

The entry of Satan signifies the final decision point: Judas fully yields to the devil’s influence, marking the spiritual completion of his mission to betray Jesus.

Verse 30

The observation 'it was night' functions both as a literal time marker and a powerful symbolic statement about the spiritual darkness and evil into which Judas departed.

Verse 31

Paradoxically, Jesus views the betrayal and his impending crucifixion not as defeat, but as the moment of 'glorification,' where God's power and love are fully revealed through sacrifice.

Verse 34

The commandment is 'new' because the standard is new: disciples must love one another 'as I have loved you'—a sacrificial, Christ-like love demonstrated in the foot washing and the cross.

Verse 35

Sacrificial, mutual love is established as the primary, visible mark (or ‘badge’) of discipleship, enabling the world to recognize Christ’s followers.

Verse 36

Peter’s focus on physically following Jesus shows he still misunderstands the spiritual nature of Jesus’ departure (the path to the cross and eventual return to the Father).

Verse 37

Peter, ever impulsive and self-confident, vows loyalty, unaware that his human strength is insufficient for the trials immediately ahead.

Verse 38

This sobering prediction serves as a warning against spiritual pride and highlights the immediate failure of the disciples before the Holy Spirit empowers them.

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