By Peter Amsterdam
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In the Gospel of John, Jesus’ public ministry comes to an end in chapter 12. For the most part, the next five chapters focus on His final teaching to His disciples. In John 13:1, we read: “Before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”
This opening verse of chapter 13 tells us that Jesus knew that “His hour had come,” meaning the time of His death. Because He knew that He had little time left, His emphasis was on teaching His disciples. In this opening statement, we’re also told something about Jesus’ relationship with those who had followed Him during His ministry. He loved His disciples all along, and He would love them to the end—an end which was drawing close.
“During supper, when the devil had already put it 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 had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist” (John 13:2–4).
The Gospel writer makes the point that Jesus had command of the situation. Just as He “knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world,” He knew that “the Father had given all things into his hands.” Jesus was about to take a very low place, but He knew that He was going to return to the place of the highest honor in His Father’s presence.
We read that Jesus got up from the table and took off His outer garments. He was likely left wearing only a loincloth, as a slave would wear. He then took a towel and wrapped it around His waist. The Greek word translated as towel refers to a linen cloth or apron which servants would put on when doing their work.
“Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” Though it was a humble task, Jesus washed and dried His disciples’ feet. When He came to Simon Peter, he said to Jesus, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” (John 13:5–6).
It seems likely that the disciples had been silent while Jesus was washing their feet. It was only when He came to Peter that words were spoken, and in a sense, Peter was speaking for all of the disciples. He considered it inappropriate for the one whom he himself had earlier called “the Holy One of God” (John 6:68–69) to wash his feet.
Jesus answered Peter by saying, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand” (John 13:7). It doesn’t seem that Jesus was offended at what Peter said, but He did point out that Peter would come to understand at a later time. This is similar to other comments found in the Gospel of John. “When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken” (John 2:22). It may be that the afterward refers to when the disciples received the Holy Spirit, after Jesus’ ascension into heaven.
“Peter said to him, ‘You shall never wash my feet,’ to which Jesus replied, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no share with me’” (John 13:8).
Even though Jesus had pointed out to Peter that he would later understand the significance of His actions, Peter still rejected the idea of Jesus washing his feet. Jesus’ response was blunt. Unless Peter let Jesus wash his feet, he would have no part with Him. In response, Peter then said to Jesus, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” (John 13:9).
Having rashly stated that Jesus would never wash his feet, he now wants his head and hands washed as well! Though impetuous, Peter’s response was sincere and it gave Jesus the opportunity to make a point to the disciples and to all who would read this Gospel.
“Jesus said to him, ‘The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, ‘Not all of you are clean’” (John 13:10–11).
Jesus made the point that His disciples were clean from sin, in the sense that they were believers and had been forgiven of sin. The one exception was Judas Iscariot.
The chapter continues by recounting: “When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?” (John 13:12).
Having completed washing the disciples’ feet, which would have included the feet of Judas, who was going to betray Him, Jesus put on His garments and returned to His place, reclining at the table. In asking His disciples whether they understood what He had done, He already knew the answer—they didn’t understand and needed further explanation.
“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:13–14).
Jesus refers to the way His disciples addressed Him, as Teacher and Lord. “Teacher” is the equivalent of Rabbi, the respectful way to address a religious leader in Judaism. Calling someone “Lord” was much rarer and expressed deep reverence. Jesus makes the point that if someone with such dignity and honor had washed their feet, they ought to be willing to wash one another’s feet.
Jesus went on to say, “I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:15). Jesus was demonstrating an attitude of humility and service to others. He set the example of how we, as Christians, should serve others, even if it is unpleasant or humbling. The apostle Paul made a similar point when he wrote,
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5–8).
Jesus then went on to say: “Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:16). He reminded the disciples that they were servants and messengers, and as such they should not think too highly of themselves. If Jesus, their master and the one who sends them, was willing to do such lowly actions, then they as those who were sent should not see menial tasks as beneath their dignity.
Jesus then says, “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17). Jesus tells His disciples that since they now understand these things, they will be blessed if they do them. While it is important for believers to understand and know what Jesus asks of us, it is in doing what He asks that we receive His blessings.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me” (John 13:20).
Once again, as in verse 16, Jesus uses the truly, truly saying, and in doing so, He expresses the dignity of His messengers. Those who receive the messengers, and thus their message, receive the sender (Jesus), and in receiving the sender, they receive the Father.
After saying this, John’s gospel recounts how Judas would betray Jesus, and Jesus tells him, “What you are going to do, do quickly” (John 13:21–30). Once Judas had left, Jesus went on to speak to the disciples openly and at length.
“Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’” (John 13:33).
Referring to His disciples as “little children” expressed Jesus’ affection and tender concern for them. The news that He would only be with them for a little while longer was likely difficult to hear. He then went on to make a special announcement: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34).
Jesus was giving instruction to the community of believers by means of a new commandment which focused on their loving one another. The motive for believers to love our neighbor is that Christ has loved us. He lived what He preached, He set the example of love, and He calls His disciples to follow in His steps.
Jesus reinforced His “new command” of love for one another with a promise: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Believers will be known as followers of Christ by the love they have for one another, as love is the distinguishing mark of a believer. The book of 1 John reinforces this understanding:
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:11–12).
May we follow the example Jesus set for His first disciples and all who would be His disciples.
Originally published in May 2021. Adapted and republished April 2026. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.
