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.

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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.

The Meaning of the Example

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.

Jesus Predicts His Betrayer

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.

The New Commandment of Love

¶ 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.

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial

¶ 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.

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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John13

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

The Meaning of the Example

Jesus Predicts His Betrayer

The New Commandment of Love

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial

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