John 13

John 13

The big picture

John 13 opens in verse 1 with “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 19 with “Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am…”, and closes in verse 38 with “Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto…” Repeated or prominent terms include Jesus, feet, Lord, verily, Peter. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

John · King James Version · 38

John 13:1-8

1–8: Before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come…

John 13:1–8 opens with “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should…” and reaches “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, returning to the table, identifying betrayal, and giving the new commandment, with particular weight carried by Jesus, wash, feet.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should…” By verse 4, the text has turned to “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.” It lands on “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 2 verses with a speech marker, 1 question, 1 stated contrast, 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

What Jesus says and does, how each person responds, and how the scene advances toward the cross and resurrection give the passage its shape. Words such as Jesus, wash, feet, Peter, Father, girded tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, returning to the table, identifying betrayal, and giving the new commandment,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Jesus, Peter, Father, God, Simon, Iscariot. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 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…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: Jesus, wash, feet, Peter, Father, girded

Verse-by-verse path

  1. John 13:1

    “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world…” Naming Father and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  2. John 13:2

    “And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;” Naming Iscariot and Judas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  3. John 13:3

    “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;” Naming Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  4. John 13:4

    “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.” The line’s distinctive content terms include aside, garments, girded. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. John 13:5

    “After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bason, began, disciples. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

  6. John 13:6

    “Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

  7. John 13:7

    “Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  8. John 13:8

    “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with…” Naming Jesus and Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

John 13:1-8

King James Version

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.

John 13:9-16

9–16: Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands…

John 13:9–16 opens with “Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” and reaches “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, returning to the table, identifying betrayal, and giving the new commandment, with particular weight carried by feet, Lord, clean.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” By verse 12, the text has turned to “So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he…” It lands on “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 2 verses with a speech marker, 1 question, 2 stated contrasts. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

What Jesus says and does, how each person responds, and how the scene advances toward the cross and resurrection give the passage its shape. Words such as feet, Lord, clean, washed, greater, Master tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, returning to the table, identifying betrayal, and giving the new commandment,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Lord, Master, Jesus, Know, Peter, Simon. Its number language includes one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 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…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: feet, Lord, clean, washed, greater, Master

Verse-by-verse path

  1. John 13:9

    “Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” Naming Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  2. John 13:10

    “Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  3. John 13:11

    “For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

  4. John 13:12

    “So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

  5. John 13:13

    “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.” Naming Master keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  6. John 13:14

    “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  7. John 13:15

    “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

  8. John 13:16

    “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that…” Naming Verily keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

John 13:9-16

King James Version

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.

John 13:17-24

17–24: If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

John 13:17–24 opens with “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” and reaches “Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, returning to the table, identifying betrayal, and giving the new commandment, with particular weight carried by receiveth, verily, Jesus.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” By verse 20, the text has turned to “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he…” It lands on “Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 3 verses with a speech marker, 1 stated contrast. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

What Jesus says and does, how each person responds, and how the scene advances toward the cross and resurrection give the passage its shape. Words such as receiveth, verily, Jesus, disciples, know, spake tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, returning to the table, identifying betrayal, and giving the new commandment,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Jesus, Verily, Peter, Simon. Its number language includes one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 19: “Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: receiveth, verily, Jesus, disciples, know, spake

Verse-by-verse path

  1. John 13:17

    “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” The line’s distinctive content terms include happy, know. Its relationship to verses 18 shows what work it does in this passage.

  2. John 13:18

    “I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bread, chosen, eateth. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

  3. John 13:19

    “Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.” The line’s distinctive content terms include believe, tell. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

  4. John 13:20

    “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth…” Naming Verily keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  5. John 13:21

    “When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  6. John 13:22

    “Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  7. John 13:23

    “Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  8. John 13:24

    “Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.” Naming Peter and Simon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

John 13:17-24

King James Version

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.

John 13:25-32

25–32: He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

John 13:25–32 opens with “He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?” and reaches “If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, returning to the table, identifying betrayal, and giving the new commandment, with particular weight carried by Jesus, glorified, dipped.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?” By verse 28, the text has turned to “Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.” It lands on “If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 5 verses with a speech marker, 1 question, 2 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

What Jesus says and does, how each person responds, and how the scene advances toward the cross and resurrection give the passage its shape. Words such as Jesus, glorified, dipped, glorify, Judas, breast tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, returning to the table, identifying betrayal, and giving the new commandment,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Jesus, God, Judas, Buy, Iscariot, Lord. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 28: “Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: Jesus, glorified, dipped, glorify, Judas, breast

Verse-by-verse path

  1. John 13:25

    “He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

  2. John 13:26

    “Jesus 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…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  3. John 13:27

    “And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.” Naming Jesus and Satan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  4. John 13:28

    “Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include intent, knew, spake. Its relationship to verses 27 and 29 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. John 13:29

    “For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

  6. John 13:30

    “He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.” The line’s distinctive content terms include immediately, night, received. Its relationship to verses 29 and 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

  7. John 13:31

    “Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

  8. John 13:32

    “If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

John 13:25-32

King James Version

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.

John 13:33-38

33–38: Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and…

John 13:33–38 opens with “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the…” and reaches “Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, returning to the table, identifying betrayal, and giving the new commandment, with particular weight carried by follow, love, Jesus.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the…” By verse 35, the text has turned to “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” It lands on “Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 4 verses with a speech marker, 3 questions, 1 stated contrast. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

What Jesus says and does, how each person responds, and how the scene advances toward the cross and resurrection give the passage its shape. Words such as follow, love, Jesus, life, little, Lord tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, returning to the table, identifying betrayal, and giving the new commandment,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Jesus, Lord, Peter, Whither, Jews, Little. Its number language includes one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 36: “Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: follow, love, Jesus, life, little, Lord

Verse-by-verse path

  1. John 13:33

    “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  2. John 13:34

    “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  3. John 13:35

    “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  4. John 13:36

    “Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

  5. John 13:37

    “Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

  6. John 13:38

    “Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

John 13:33-38

King James Version

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.

Questions to keep in mind while reading

  1. Watch what Jesus says and does, and how people respond.
  2. Trace kingdom, discipleship, opposition, cross, and resurrection in the evangelist’s own sequence.
  3. Let later doctrine clarify the scene without erasing its immediate setting.

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.

Questions beneath the surface

  1. What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from John 13?
  2. Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
  3. What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
  4. Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?

Questions for serious personal contemplation

These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.

Observe without rushing

  1. What part of John 13 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?

  2. Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?

  3. Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, returning to the table, identifying betrayal, and giving the new commandment?

  4. What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?

Examine your inner life honestly

  1. Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?

  2. What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?

  3. Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?

  4. If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?

Respond with wisdom and courage

  1. What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?

  2. How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?

  3. What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?

  4. What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?