John 13:6

KJV

Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G3767} cometh he {G2064} to {G4314} Simon {G4613} Peter {G4074}: and {G2532} Peter {G1565} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Lord {G2962}, dost {G3538} thou {G4771} wash {G3538} my {G3450} feet {G4228}?

Complete Jewish Bible

He came to Shim‘on Kefa, who said to him, “Lord! You are washing my feet?”

Berean Standard Bible

He came to Simon Peter, who asked Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?”

American Standard Version

So he cometh to Simon Peter. He saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 13:6 captures the dramatic moment when Jesus, in an act of profound humility, approaches Simon Peter to wash his feet, eliciting Peter's astonished and reverent protest. This interaction reveals Peter's initial struggle to reconcile the Lord's divine authority with such a menial task, setting the stage for Jesus's deeper teaching on servant leadership and spiritual cleansing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The passage immediately precedes Jesus's explicit teaching on servant leadership and the "new commandment" to love one another, found in [John 13:1-17](/john/13-1-17 "John 13:1-17 - Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet"). It follows the Last Supper, where Jesus has just shared the Passover meal with his disciples, and is interwoven with the narrative of Judas's impending betrayal. This act of foot washing serves as a powerful visual parable, preparing the disciples for the nature of true discipleship and kingdom service, which stands in stark contrast to their recent dispute over who was the greatest among them (as recorded in [Luke 22:24](/luke/22-24 "Luke 22:24 - The Disciples Dispute Over Greatness")). The scene is a direct demonstration of the love and humility Jesus spoke of, preceding his departure.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Judea, foot washing was a common and necessary practice. People wore open sandals and walked on dusty, unpaved roads, making their feet dirty. Upon entering a home, it was customary for a host to provide water for guests to wash their own feet, or for a servant to perform the task. Crucially, this was considered the lowest and most demeaning chore, typically assigned to the lowest-ranking slave in a household. A master or host would never perform this task for his guests, let alone his disciples. Jesus's act therefore profoundly subverted the prevailing social hierarchy and cultural expectations, presenting a radical example of humility and service that would have been shocking and even scandalous to those present.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within John's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Humility**, showcasing Jesus, the Son of God and Lord of all, willingly taking on the role of the lowest servant. This act directly challenges the disciples' (and our) worldly understanding of **True Greatness**, shifting the paradigm from status and power to self-sacrificial service, a concept Jesus consistently taught, as seen in [Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve"). Furthermore, Peter's initial resistance highlights the theme of **Misunderstanding and Revelation**, where human limitations and expectations clash with divine wisdom, requiring further explanation and spiritual insight for true comprehension, a recurring motif in John's Gospel (e.g., [John 3:3-5](/john/3-3-5 "John 3:3-5 - Jesus Teaches Nicodemus about Being Born Again") regarding spiritual birth).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cometh (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This verb signifies movement towards a destination, often with purpose. Here, it emphasizes Jesus's deliberate action of approaching Peter, highlighting that this was not a casual or accidental encounter but a purposeful, intentional act of service directed specifically at Peter, setting the stage for the ensuing dialogue and lesson.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** Peter addresses Jesus with this title, acknowledging His supreme authority and mastership. This term underscores the profound dissonance Peter feels: how can his sovereign Lord, whom he recognizes as divine, stoop to perform such a menial, servant-level task? His use of "Lord" accentuates the perceived impropriety of the act from Peter's perspective.
* **wash (Greek, _níptō'_):** This verb specifically refers to washing a part of the body, in this case, the feet. The act itself is central to the narrative, representing not merely physical cleansing but symbolizing humble service, spiritual purification, and the radical reversal of societal norms that Jesus embodies and teaches. Peter's incredulity is directed precisely at this action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then cometh he to Simon Peter:"** This clause establishes the immediate action, marking the progression of Jesus's foot washing from the other disciples to Peter. The use of "Then" (G3767, _oûn_) suggests a logical or consequential next step, highlighting that Peter's turn was inevitable and part of Jesus's deliberate plan to teach all the disciples, starting with the most outspoken.
* **"and Peter saith unto him,"** This introduces Peter's response, signaling a break in the silent action of Jesus. Peter, known for his impulsiveness and outspoken nature, cannot remain quiet in the face of such a shocking display of humility from his Master. His words are a direct, verbal reaction to Jesus's physical action.
* **"Lord, dost thou wash my feet?"** This is Peter's astonished and incredulous question, a rhetorical query expressing profound disbelief and reverence. He uses the respectful title "Lord" (G2962, _kýrios_), emphasizing the vast social and spiritual chasm he perceives between Jesus's divine status and the lowly act of foot washing. His question is not seeking information but expressing utter shock and protest, revealing his struggle to reconcile Jesus's identity with His actions.

#### Literary Devices
John 13:6 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, as Peter's "Lord, dost thou wash my feet?" is not a request for information but an emphatic expression of disbelief, astonishment, and even protest. It highlights the profound incongruity Peter perceives between Jesus's divine status and the menial task He is performing. This question also serves to draw the reader into Peter's perspective, emphasizing the radical nature of Jesus's humility. Furthermore, there is profound **Symbolism** at play. The act of foot washing, while physically literal, deeply symbolizes humble service, spiritual cleansing, and the reversal of worldly power structures. Peter's resistance to this symbolic act foreshadows his later struggle to fully grasp the nature of Jesus's kingdom and the call to self-sacrificial love. The entire scene is also an example of **Dramatic Irony**, as the disciples, including Peter, are unaware of the full spiritual significance and the impending events (Jesus's death and resurrection) that this act prefigures, while the reader, with the benefit of hindsight, understands the deeper theological implications.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 13:6 serves as a pivotal moment in Jesus's demonstration of divine humility and servant leadership, themes central to Christian theology. Peter's initial resistance underscores the human tendency to misunderstand God's ways, which often defy worldly expectations of power and status. Jesus's act reveals that true authority in God's kingdom is expressed through self-abasement and service, not through domination or self-exaltation. This challenges believers to re-evaluate their own understanding of leadership and discipleship, calling them to emulate Christ's example of radical humility and sacrificial love.

* [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")
* [Matthew 20:26-28](/matthew/20-26-28 "Matthew 20:26-28 - Greatness Through Service")
* [1 Peter 5:5-6](/1_peter/5-5-6 "1 Peter 5:5-6 - Humility and Submission")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 13:6 challenges us to confront our own "Peter moments" – instances where we resist God's call to humility or service because it clashes with our preconceived notions of dignity, status, or what is "proper." Peter's protest, though born of reverence, ultimately hindered his immediate understanding of Jesus's deeper purpose. This verse calls us to cultivate a spirit of radical humility, willing to engage in tasks that may seem menial or beneath us, just as our Lord did. It reminds us that true honor and spiritual growth are often found not in being served, but in serving others, reflecting the very heart of Christ. Our willingness to "wash feet" – to serve in unseen ways, to humble ourselves for the good of others, and to embrace tasks that challenge our pride – is a tangible expression of our discipleship and our commitment to following Jesus's example.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you find yourself resisting acts of humility or service, perhaps because they feel "beneath" you?**
* **How does Peter's reaction challenge your own understanding of true leadership and greatness?**
* **What specific "feet" (needs, tasks, people) is God calling you to wash in your current context, even if it feels uncomfortable or undignified?**

### FAQ
**Why was Peter so resistant to Jesus washing his feet?**

Answer: Peter's resistance stemmed primarily from a deep sense of reverence for Jesus as his Lord and Master, combined with a misunderstanding of the spiritual significance of the act. In ancient Jewish culture, foot washing was the task of the lowest servant or slave, never a master. For Peter, it was unthinkable and deeply inappropriate for his divine Lord to stoop to such a demeaning task for him, a mere disciple. He perceived it as an inversion of the proper order and a violation of Jesus's rightful dignity. His protest highlights his struggle to reconcile Jesus's exalted status with this profound act of humility, which Jesus later explains is essential for having a share with Him ([John 13:8](/john/13-8 "John 13:8 - Peter's Response and Jesus' Explanation")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 13:6, with Peter's incredulous question, powerfully foreshadows and encapsulates the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment of humble service and redemptive love. Jesus, the Lord of glory, did not merely wash feet; His entire earthly ministry was an act of profound self-abasement, culminating in His willingness to become a servant and die on a cross. Peter's question, "Lord, dost thou wash my feet?", echoes the cosmic astonishment at God Himself taking on human flesh and enduring the ultimate humiliation for humanity's sake. This act of foot washing prefigures the greater spiritual cleansing Jesus would provide through His atoning sacrifice, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Just as the physical washing cleanses the feet, Jesus's death and resurrection offer spiritual purification and a share in His divine life, a truth Peter would later grasp and proclaim (cf. [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")). The Lord who washes feet is the same Lord who gave His life, demonstrating that true authority and love are found in ultimate self-giving, fulfilling the prophecy that He would be "despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 1:27

He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

Matthew 3:11

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:

Matthew 3:14

But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

Luke 5:8

When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.