John 13:9

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also [my] hands and [my] head.

Simon {G4613} Peter {G4074} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Lord {G2962}, not {G3361} my {G3450} feet {G4228} only {G3440}, but {G235} also {G2532} my hands {G5495} and {G2532} my head {G2776}.

“Lord,” Shim‘on Kefa replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and head too!”

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!”

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

Commentary

This verse captures Simon Peter's immediate and characteristic response to Jesus' statement about washing his feet. Having initially refused to allow Jesus to wash his feet in John 13:8, Peter hears Jesus say, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." This strong statement reveals the necessity of Christ's cleansing work for fellowship with Him.

Context

The scene is the Last Supper, where Jesus performs the humble act of washing His disciples' feet (John 13:1-5). This action served as a powerful object lesson in humility and service, but also carried deeper spiritual significance regarding cleansing. Peter's initial refusal stemmed from a sense of unworthiness or perhaps misunderstanding the act. Jesus' response in verse 8 elevates the act's importance beyond mere physical cleanliness to spiritual communion. Peter's reply in verse 9 is his typical impulsive reaction – upon hearing that failure to be washed means no part with Jesus, he swings from refusal to requesting a complete bath, demonstrating his passionate, though sometimes misguided, devotion.

Key Themes

  • Peter's Impetuosity: This verse highlights Peter's well-known tendency to react quickly and dramatically, often without fully grasping the situation. He moves from an adamant "never" to an equally adamant "all of me."
  • Necessity of Cleansing for Fellowship: Jesus' statement in the previous verse underscores that spiritual cleansing by Christ is essential for having a relationship or "part" with Him. Peter's subsequent request, while over the top, acknowledges the perceived necessity of this cleansing based on Jesus' words.
  • Understanding Spiritual vs. Physical: While Peter is still likely thinking in physical terms ("feet," "hands," "head"), Jesus is using the physical act to teach about spiritual reality. This sets the stage for Jesus' clarification in John 13:10 about being "clean every whit."

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "wash" used in this passage is nipto (νίπτω), which typically refers to washing parts of the body, such as hands or feet, as opposed to a full bath (louo - λούω). Peter's request to wash his "hands and head" uses this same word nipto, applying it to more parts. However, his request for "not my feet only, but also my hands and my head" implicitly moves towards the idea of a more complete washing, which Jesus clarifies in the following verse using the term for a full bath (louo) when referring to those who are already "clean."

Practical Application

Peter's reaction serves as a reminder that our zeal must be guided by understanding. We must recognize the vital necessity of Christ's work in cleansing us from sin, without which we cannot have fellowship with God (see 1 John 1:7). While Peter's request was based on a partial understanding, his desire to be fully associated with Jesus, even to the point of wanting excessive washing, reflects a heart that ultimately wanted to belong entirely to Christ. This can encourage us to desire a deep and complete spiritual cleansing by grace.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 51:2 (5 votes)

    Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

  • Psalms 51:7 (5 votes)

    ¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

  • 1 Peter 3:21 (4 votes)

    ¶ The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

  • Hebrews 10:22 (3 votes)

    Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

  • Psalms 26:6 (3 votes)

    ¶ I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:

  • Jeremiah 4:14 (2 votes)

    O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

  • Matthew 27:24 (2 votes)

    When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but [that] rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed [his] hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye [to it].