The big picture
The public debates give way to a meal with Jesus and his closest followers. Jesus is the teacher who speaks of returning to God his Father through his coming death. Passover, the feast of rescue from slavery, is near. He knows betrayal is already taking shape within the group. Instead of using his authority to keep his distance, he takes water and a towel. His care for them leads into instructions about love and a warning about failure.
In this chapter
- The Lord Takes a Towel John 13:1-11
Jesus knows that his hour to return to the Father has come.
- An Example to Put Into Practice John 13:12-20
After dressing and sitting down again, Jesus explains his action.
- Judas Leaves the Table John 13:21-30
Deeply troubled, Jesus states that one follower will betray him.
- Love Will Mark His Followers John 13:31-35
Once Judas has gone, Jesus announces that glory is now being revealed.
- Peter Promises More Than He Can Give John 13:36-38
Peter wants to know where Jesus is going.
Central truth
Knowing his betrayal is near, Jesus serves his followers and makes his own love the measure of their life together.
Scripture beside the summary
John · King James Version · 38John 13:1-11
The Lord Takes a Towel
Jesus knows that his hour to return to the Father has come. He loves his own people through to the end. The devil, God's enemy, has already stirred Judas Iscariot, a follower, toward betrayal. Secure in his God-given authority, Jesus begins washing the followers' feet. Simon Peter, another follower, objects to receiving such service from his Lord. Jesus says Peter must accept his washing to share life with him. Peter then asks for his hands and head too. Jesus explains that a washed person needs only the feet cleaned. Not all are clean: he knows the betrayer.
In everyday life
A concert soloist kneels beside an exhausted stagehand to clean a cut on his heel. The stagehand pulls back, embarrassed to receive care from the evening's honoured performer. She waits until he lets her tend it. Her status does not keep her hands away from his need. Jesus' washing also expresses cleansing needed for belonging to him.
Notice
John 13:3 Jesus acts with full knowledge of his authority and origin. The lowly task comes from that secure position; he has not forgotten who he is.
John 13:1-11
King James Version1Now 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.
John 13:12-20
An Example to Put Into Practice
After dressing and sitting down again, Jesus explains his action. The followers rightly call him their teacher and Lord. If he washes their feet, they have no right to refuse such service to one another. Knowing this is not enough; blessing lies in doing it. He then speaks of betrayal by someone who has shared his bread. He warns them beforehand so the event will strengthen, rather than destroy, their belief in his identity. Finally, he links welcome for those he sends with welcome for himself and the Father who sent him.
In everyday life
A head baker finishes scrubbing the flour from a junior worker's boots after a spill. She sets the brush where the whole team can reach it and returns to the oven. No rank in this bakery excuses leaving such care to the newest person. The visible act sets a shared practice. Jesus also speaks as the one sent by God.
Notice
John 13:17 The blessing attaches to acting on what they know. Watching Jesus serve does not by itself complete the response his example calls for.
John 13:12-20
King James Version12So 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.
John 13:21-30
Judas Leaves the Table
Deeply troubled, Jesus states that one follower will betray him. The group looks around in doubt. Peter gestures to the follower reclining close to Jesus to ask who it is. Jesus identifies the betrayer by giving him dipped bread. He gives it to Judas. Satan, another name for the devil, enters Judas, and Jesus tells him to carry out his purpose quickly. The others do not understand. Because Judas keeps their money, some assume an errand for the feast or help for poor people. Judas takes the bread and goes out into the night.
In everyday life
A hospice trustee leaves a late shared supper carrying the charity's account folder. The other volunteers assume he is paying suppliers. One trustee knows he has arranged to hand private records to an opponent, and watches him go with grief. Familiar duties hide what the departure really means. Judas leaves to betray Jesus, not to misuse records.
Notice
John 13:29 The others explain Judas' departure through his usual role with the money. The ordinary explanation shows how little they grasp the betrayal taking place.
John 13:21-30
King James Version21When 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.
John 13:31-35
Love Will Mark His Followers
Once Judas has gone, Jesus announces that glory is now being revealed. He calls himself the Son of man and links his own glory with God's. The coming events will show who both are. He addresses the remaining followers with tender care and says his time with them is short. They cannot yet go where he is going. He gives them a new command: to love each other in the pattern of his love for them. That visible care will show other people that they belong to him.
In everyday life
A foster-home founder says farewell as the adults gather round the kitchen table. She points to the way they have learned to care for each child and one another. Visitors will recognise the home's purpose through that care when she is absent. Its name over the door is not enough. Jesus makes his own love the defining measure.
Notice
John 13:35 The identifying mark is love between the followers. Jesus gives observers something visible to recognise, rather than a title the group merely claims for itself.
John 13:31-35
King James Version31Therefore, 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.
John 13:36-38
Peter Promises More Than He Can Give
Peter wants to know where Jesus is going. Jesus says Peter cannot follow now but will do so later. Peter refuses that limit and offers to die for him. Jesus questions the promise. Before the cock crows, Peter will deny him three times. The warning is precise, and it lands beside Peter's strongest claim of loyalty. Jesus does not say Peter will never follow him. Yet Peter's own confidence cannot carry him through the night ahead. He needs to hear the truth about his weakness as well as the promise of a later path.
In everyday life
A novice lifeguard insists he can handle any emergency during his first night shift. His trainer points to the panic he showed in that afternoon's drill. The young guard's desire to help is real, but his promise runs ahead of tested strength. He still has a future in the work. Jesus predicts Peter's specific denials before they occur.
Notice
John 13:38 The predicted failure comes before morning, not in a distant crisis. Jesus places Peter's bold offer beside the near event that will expose its limits.
John 13:36-38
King James Version36Simon 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
John 13:1 begins with “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…”
Where the chapter turns
John 13:19 forms a natural hinge: “Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.”
The final note
John 13:38 leaves the reader with “Jesus 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.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Jesus, feet, Lord, verily, Peter, wash help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- bason
- A bowl used here to hold water for washing.
- sop
- A piece of bread dipped in liquid before eating.
- thrice
- An older way of saying three times.
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
