John — Chapter 13

Loading ESV text...

1Now 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.

2And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;

3Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

5After 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.

6Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

10Jesus 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.

11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

12So 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?

13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

18I 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.

19Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

20Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

21When 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.

22Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

23Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

24Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.

25He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

26Jesus 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.

27And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

28Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.

29For 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.

30He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

31Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

32If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

33Little 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.

34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

36Simon 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.

37Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

38Jesus 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.

1Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto his Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

2And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon`s [son], to betray him,

3[Jesus], knowing that the Father had given all the things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto God,

4riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments; and he took a towel, and girded himself.

5Then he poureth water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples` feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

6So he cometh to Simon Peter. He saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter.

8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

10Jesus saith to him, He that is bathed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

11For he knew him that should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

12So when he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and sat down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

13Ye call me, Teacher, and, Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another`s feet.

15For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you.

16Verily, verily, I say unto you, a servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him.

17If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them.

18I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled: He that eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me.

19From henceforth I tell you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am [he].

20Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

21When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in the spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

22The disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

23There was at the table reclining in Jesus` bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

24Simon Peter therefore beckoneth to him, and saith unto him, Tell [us] who it is of whom he speaketh.

25He leaning back, as he was, on Jesus` breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

26Jesus therefore answereth, He it is, for whom I shall dip the sop, and give it him. So when he had dipped the sop, he taketh and giveth it to Judas, [the son] of Simon Iscariot.

27And after the sop, then entered Satan into him. Jesus therefore saith unto him, What thou doest, do quickly.

28Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.

29For some thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus said unto him, Buy what things we have need of for the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

30He then having received the sop went out straightway: and it was night.

31When therefore he was gone out, Jesus saith, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him;

32and God shall glorify him in himself, and straightway shall he glorify him.

33Little 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 unto you.

34A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

36Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered, Whither I go, thou canst not follow now; but thou shalt follow afterwards.

37Peter saith unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee even now? I will lay down my life for thee.

38Jesus answereth, Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

1Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that his time had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now loved them to the very end.

2The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, that he should betray Jesus.

3Because Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,

4he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around himself.

5He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel he had wrapped around himself.

6Then he came to Simon Peter. Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7Jesus replied, “You do not understand what I am doing now, but you will understand after these things.”

8Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, wash not only my feet but also my hands and my head!”

10Jesus replied, “The one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not every one of you.”

11(For Jesus knew the one who was going to betray him. For this reason he said, “Not every one of you is clean.”)

12So when Jesus had washed their feet and put his outer clothing back on, he took his place at the table again and said to them, “Do you understand what I have done for you?

13You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and do so correctly, for that is what I am.

14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another’s feet.

15For I have given you an example—you should do just as I have done for you.

16I tell you the solemn truth, the slave is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent as a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

17If you understand these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

18“What I am saying does not refer to all of you. I know the ones I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who eats my bread has turned against me.’

19I am telling you this now, before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I am he.

20I tell you the solemn truth, whoever accepts the one I send accepts me, and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

21When he had said these things, Jesus was greatly distressed in spirit, and testified, “I tell you the solemn truth, one of you will betray me.”

22The disciples began to look at one another, worried and perplexed to know which of them he was talking about.

23One of his disciples, the one Jesus loved, was at the table to the right of Jesus in a place of honor.

24So Simon Peter gestured to this disciple to ask Jesus who it was he was referring to.

25Then the disciple whom Jesus loved leaned back against Jesus’ chest and asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

26Jesus replied, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread after I have dipped it in the dish.” Then he dipped the piece of bread in the dish and gave it to Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son.

27And after Judas took the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”

28(Now none of those present at the table understood why Jesus said this to Judas.

29Some thought that because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him to buy whatever they needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor.)

30Judas took the piece of bread and went out immediately. (Now it was night.)

31When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him.

32If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him right away.

33Children, I am still with you for a little while. You will look for me, and just as I said to the Jewish religious leaders, ‘Where I am going you cannot come,’ now I tell you the same.

34“I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

35Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.”

36Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.”

37Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you!”

38Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? I tell you the solemn truth, the rooster will not crow until you have denied me three times!

1Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,

3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God,

4arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist.

5Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”

7Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”

8Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”

9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

10Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.”

11For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, “You are not all clean.”

12So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?

13You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am.

14If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

15For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

16Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him.

17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

18I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen. But that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’

19From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am he.

20Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me.”

21When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”

22The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke.

23One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ breast.

24Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.”

25He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ breast, asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

26Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.

27After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

28Now no man at the table knew why he said this to him.

29For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.

30Therefore having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night.

31When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.

32If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately.

33Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come,’ so now I tell you.

34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.

35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

36Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.”

37Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

38Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

At the Last Supper, Jesus washes His disciples' feet as a model of servant love, identifies Judas as His betrayer, and gives the new commandment: "Love one another as I have loved you."

Authorship & Background

Author: The Apostle John (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapter 13 opens John's "Upper Room Discourse" — chapters 13-17, the most intimate and extended teaching Jesus gave His disciples. It takes place on the night of His arrest, at the Last Supper. John does not record the institution of the Lord's Supper (covered in the synoptic Gospels) but instead focuses on the foot washing and the new commandment.
Foot Washing: In first-century Palestine, roads were dusty and people wore sandals. Foot washing was the task of the lowest household servant — so menial that Jewish law exempted Jewish slaves from doing it for their masters. For Jesus — knowing He was Lord of all, knowing He was about to be glorified — to wash His disciples' feet was an act of breathtaking humility.
Judas: Jesus knew from the beginning who would betray Him (v.11). He washed Judas' feet. He gave him the place of honor at the table (the sop was given to the guest of honor). He gave him every opportunity to turn back. Judas chose betrayal anyway.
The New Commandment (v.34): Jesus calls love for one another "new" — not because love was absent from the Old Testament, but because the standard is new: "as I have loved you." The measure of Christian love is the cross.

Map & Geography

  • The Upper Room in Jerusalem: The foot washing and Last Supper discourse. Jesus and the disciples are in a large furnished room in Jerusalem on the night before His crucifixion.
  • Jesus tells the disciples He is going to the Father — He is "going away" from this earthly place to prepare a place for them.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the cultural significance of foot washing, the meaning of "clean but not all" (v.10-11), the identification of Judas, and the "new" element of the new commandment.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "The Servant of Servants" on vv.4-5 (MTP Vol. 32, No. 1886) "He laid aside His garments — the garments of His glory — and took a towel. That is the incarnation in miniature. He who was robed in the splendor of heaven wrapped Himself in the towel of a servant. And He washed feet. Not just any feet — the feet of men who would deny Him, betray Him, and flee from Him." Sermon: "The New Commandment" on v.34 (MTP Vol. 27, No. 1606) "Love one another as I have loved you. That is the standard — not as you feel like it, not as they deserve it, not as they love you back — as I have loved you. That means to the point of sacrifice."

Videos

David Guzik — Enduring Word Video Series (John)

YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_QIfO0mxbX4zgQH4vuK6q1q7gu8Ok6tz John 13:1-17 - Prepared to Serve: John 13:18-38 - Prepared for Glory:

Reflection

  • 1. Jesus washed the feet of the man He knew would betray Him (v.11). He served Judas with the same hands that would be nailed to the cross. Is there someone in your life who has betrayed or hurt you? What would it look like to serve them anyway — not because they deserve it, but because Christ is your model?
  • 2. Peter's first response was refusal — "Thou shalt never wash my feet" (v.8). Pride often disguises itself as humility or reverence. Is there an area where your pride is preventing you from receiving what Christ wants to give you — forgiveness, help, correction, grace?
  • 3. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (v.17). Knowledge of servant leadership is not the same as practicing it. Where in your life — at home, at work, in your church — are you called to serve in a way that feels beneath you? What is stopping you?
  • 4. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (v.35). The primary evidence of genuine Christianity is not doctrine, not church attendance, not moral behavior — it is love for other believers. How is your love for other Christians? Is it visible enough that outsiders would notice?
  • 5. Jesus knew He was Lord of all, that all things were in His hands, that He came from God and was going to God (v.3) — and from that position of total security, He washed feet. True humility flows from security, not insecurity. How does knowing who you are in Christ free you to serve others without needing recognition?
  • 6. Peter swung from "You'll never wash my feet" to "Not just my feet but my hands and head too!" (vv.8-9). He was impulsive and extreme. Do you tend toward stubbornness or impulsiveness in your relationship with God? How does Jesus' patient response to Peter encourage you?
  • 7. Jesus gave Judas the sop — a gesture of honor and friendship — even knowing what Judas was about to do. What does this tell you about how Jesus treats people who are in the process of rejecting Him? How should that shape how you treat people who are hostile to the Gospel?
  • 8. "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you" (v.34). The standard is the cross. Is there a relationship in your life where you are loving at a comfortable level but not at a cross-level? What would cross-level love look like in that relationship?
  • 9. Peter confidently declared he would lay down his life for Jesus (v.37) — and denied Him three times within hours. How do you guard against overconfidence in your own spiritual strength? What does healthy self-awareness look like for a man of faith?