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In this lesson:
The miracles and great sermons are over. Tomorrow Jesus will be crucified. Chapters 13-17 will focus on Jesus' final night teaching His disciples. His first lesson, humility (13:4-17). Study Tip: Reading passages a second time helps us learn. We not only reinforce each lesson, but we also catch important points we might have missed with the first read. |
Humbling Himself, Jesus washes His disciple's feet.
By an unknown artist |
Who was -
Judas Iscariot -
Iscariot is Hebrew for "man of Kerioth," a town in southern Judea. Judas was the son of Simon Iscariot (John 6:71; 12:4; 13:2; 13:26) and one of the original twelve disciples (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16). He is the only one of the twelve who was not a Galilean. Judas was a thief (John 12:6) who joined Jesus and was put in charge of the group's finances (John 13:29). Jesus predicted that he would be betrayed (Matthew 26:21-25; John 6:70-71; 13:21), and soon after the prophecy, Judas sold out the Messiah (Mark 14:10; Luke 22:3-4; John 13:2) for "thirty pieces of silver" (Matthew 26:14-16). He then committed suicide (Matthew 27:5) out of remorse. Whenever the Bible names the twelve disciples/apostles, Judas is always listed last (Matthew 10:2-4).
Judas Iscariot -
Iscariot is Hebrew for "man of Kerioth," a town in southern Judea. Judas was the son of Simon Iscariot (John 6:71; 12:4; 13:2; 13:26) and one of the original twelve disciples (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16). He is the only one of the twelve who was not a Galilean. Judas was a thief (John 12:6) who joined Jesus and was put in charge of the group's finances (John 13:29). Jesus predicted that he would be betrayed (Matthew 26:21-25; John 6:70-71; 13:21), and soon after the prophecy, Judas sold out the Messiah (Mark 14:10; Luke 22:3-4; John 13:2) for "thirty pieces of silver" (Matthew 26:14-16). He then committed suicide (Matthew 27:5) out of remorse. Whenever the Bible names the twelve disciples/apostles, Judas is always listed last (Matthew 10:2-4).
The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 13:1-20
Jesus came to serve 1 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. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 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. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 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. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 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? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 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. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. 18 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. 19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. |
Margin notes:
"He loved them unto the end." (13:1) - Just as Jesus loved His disciples, He loves us. "Supper." (13:2) - This is the Passover meal that Jesus enjoyed with His disciples on Thursday evening. Christians call it "The Last Supper." "Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands..." (13:3) - Jesus knew He was divine and had been sent by God. "Girded himself." (13:4) - Means Jesus wrapped a towel around His waist. Girding was a common practice when preparing to work. For additional insight, read Luke 12:37. "Wash the disciples' feet." (13:5) - Such a degrading task was usually performed by servants or slaves. Jesus washed His disciples' feet right after they argued amongst themselves which of them was the greatest (Luke 22:24). Jesus "had to get down on his hands and knees and wash their feet, the menial service of a slave, to burn into their minds that he had called them to serve, and not to rule. Oh, how the church has suffered through all the centuries because so many of its leaders have been consumed by the passion to be great! Great churchmen, instead of humbly serving Christ, have used the name of Christ to serve themselves." ("Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 546) "Dost thou wash my feet?" (13:6) - "Are you going to wash my feet?" "But thou shalt know hereafter." (13:7) - "But you will know later." "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." (13:8) - Without spiritual cleansing, we cannot belong to God. "He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit." (13:10) - "He who has bathed doesn't need to wash again, except his feet, to be clean all over." Bible scholars disagree on the meaning of this passage. Some believe that Jesus meant, due to the dusty roads, even a freshly bathed person would have unclean feet after a brief walk. While others feel that Jesus was saying the Jewish requirement to be ritually cleaned will be fulfilled with just this partial bathing. "Ye are clean, but not all." (13:10) - One of the disciples was unclean, Judas, the betrayer. "He knew who should betray him." (13:11) - Jesus knew from "the beginning" that Judas would betray Him (John 6:64; 6:70). "Know ye what I have done." (13:12) - "Do you know what I have done." Jesus was teaching His disciples that they were to serve and not be served. "Ye say well." (13:13) - "You are right." "Ye also ought to wash one another's feet." (13:14) - This means we should be humble and serve each other (1 Peter 5:5). "Verily." (13:16) - "Truly." "He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me." (13:18) - This refers to Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Christ, as prophesized in Psalm 41:9 centuries earlier. "Now I tell you before it come." (13:19) - "I'll tell you now, before it happens." Before the night is over, Jesus will repeat this to His disciples (John 14:29). "He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me." (13:20) - Because Jesus lives inside believers, the way you treat a Christian is, in essence, the way you treat the Messiah. Jesus is reinforcing this truth from Matthew 10:40 and Luke 10:16. |
New Living Translation
John 13:1-20
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.
2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.
4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist,
5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7 Jesus replied, "You don't understand now what I am doing, but someday you will."
8 "No," Peter protested, "you will never ever wash my feet!"
Jesus replied, "Unless I wash you, you won't belong to me."
9 Simon Peter exclaimed, "Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!"
10 Jesus replied, "A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you."
11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, "Not all of you are clean."
12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was doing?
13 You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are right, because that's what I am.
14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet.
15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message.
17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
18 "I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, 'The one who eats my food has turned against me.'
19 I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I Am the Messiah.
20 I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.
2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.
4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist,
5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7 Jesus replied, "You don't understand now what I am doing, but someday you will."
8 "No," Peter protested, "you will never ever wash my feet!"
Jesus replied, "Unless I wash you, you won't belong to me."
9 Simon Peter exclaimed, "Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!"
10 Jesus replied, "A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you."
11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, "Not all of you are clean."
12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was doing?
13 You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are right, because that's what I am.
14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet.
15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message.
17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
18 "I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, 'The one who eats my food has turned against me.'
19 I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I Am the Messiah.
20 I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"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." (13:1)
"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." (13:4-5)
"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." (13:14-15)
"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." (13:4-5)
"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." (13:14-15)
Today's Question:
1. Why did Jesus wash the feet of His disciples? (13:5)
When you start to obey the Bible, you start to understand the Bible.
1. Why did Jesus wash the feet of His disciples? (13:5)
When you start to obey the Bible, you start to understand the Bible.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Washing another's feet was a lowly task usually performed by servants or slaves. By washing HIs disciples' feet, Jesus showed that He had come to serve mankind (Mark 10:45). The disciples were too interested in worldly things and their own glory (Mark 10:36-37; Luke 22:40) and needed this "example" (13:15) of humility to grow spiritually. Jesus washed their feet immediately after they argued amongst themselves which of them was the greatest (Luke 22:24).
Jesus "had to get down on his hands and knees and wash their feet, the menial service of a slave, to burn into their minds that he had called them to serve, and not to rule. Oh, how the church has suffered through all the centuries because so many of its leaders have been consumed by the passion to be great! Great churchmen, instead of humbly serving Christ, have used the name of Christ to serve themselves." ("Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 546)
Soon the disciples would be commissioned to build the church, and they needed to learn that continuing Jesus' work meant serving humanity and doing it with humility and love. Jesus knew the disciples wouldn't understand this lesson immediately, but they would after His resurrection (13:7).
Application thought for the day:
Think of ways you can wash the feet (serve) of others.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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© 2026 evolke