John 13 - The Footwashing at Passover

Joh 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 unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. It was just before the Passover celebration, (the preparation day, the 14th day of Nisan, our Tuesday sunset to Wednesday sunset, the day of the Crucifixion). Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to His Father. While Jesus was here on earth He loved His disciples and now He loved them to the very end. (Just as He loves you, and will love you unconditionally, to the very end).

Joh 13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; This would be the last supper that we are talking about. (Satan had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus).

Joh 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; Jesus knew that the Heavenly Father had given Him authority over everything, and that He had come from God and would return to God. "These statements of His Divine origin, authority, and coming glory, are made so as to enhance the amazing condescension of the service to which He humbled Himself to do the office of bond-slave." (1 Corinthians 15:27, Ephesians 1:21-22, Philippians 2:9-11, Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 2:8-9).

Joh 13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. Jesus got up from the table, took off His robe, and wrapped a towel around His waist. Why? (This was preparation for the foot washing). He tied the towel around Him so that He might have it ready to dry the disciples feet, and that He might appear as a servant. (Indeed the whole action was a servile one; and never performed by a superior to an inferior). Shows that we can humble ourselves towards others as true Christians. (We are here to serve others under Christ).

Joh 13:5 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. Poured the water into a basin, then began to wash the disciples feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him. 

Joh 13:6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" (Jesus is taking on the role of servant, and Peter knows that just doesn't seem right to him).

Joh 13:7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Jesus explained to Peter, "You don't understand now what I am doing, but someday you will." (Just as Christians, we don't always understand what the Lord is doing). However, we will all understand when He wants us to know, and all will be clear in the end.  

Joh 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 me. "No," Peter says, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus replies, "If I don't wash your feet, you will not belong to Me." Reference to: (Hebrews 10:22). We can go into the very presence of God with sincere hearts as believers. Fully trusting Him, because our guilty consciences have been sprinkled clean with the blood of Christ, and washed (baptized), with pure water. (Matthew 3:11, Ephesians 5:26, 1 Peter 3:21). The reason Jesus washed the feet of the disciples was not only an example to us to be servants to one another, but to show us that when you walk through this world, you are going to get dirty with sin. (Just as their feet got dirty walking the streets of Jerusalem back then). We are made clean through the blood of Christ upon repentance. (Revelation 7:14). These are the ones who hung in there through the tribulation and were not deceived by Satan. (They didn't count on flying-away with false rapture doctrine). They did the work they were supposed to do, and they washed their robes with the blood of the Lamb which is Christ.  

Joh 13:9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Peter is thinking that he doesn't want to be apart from Jesus after what He said, so he wants a full bath. (He thinks he needs to be totally washed from sin). "Peter didn't get it." (Jesus will explain). 

Joh 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, but not all. Jesus replied, "A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. You disciples are clean, but not all of you." (Note the distinction between washing the whole body, and only washing part of it). In those days, people would take a bath before attending the Passover. But, on the way their feet would get dirty and this would be why they washed their feet when visiting a house. In other words, the way it applies to us is that when a person comes to believe in Christ, there is a full cleansing. Kind of like when you become baptized. (2 Corinthians 5:17). You’re a new creature, with a new frame of mind. (One to serve the living God). The old life is gone and a new life begins. However, in our day to day lives we get a little dirty with sin. So, you don't need to be saved every time you stumble, but rather you just need to repent. (1 John 1:9). If we confess our sins to Him (not some man), we can count on God to wash away all our sins, because Christ became that one time sacrifice for our sins.     

Joh 13:11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. Jesus knew who would betray Him. That is why He would say, "not all of you are clean."

Joh 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 I have done to you? When Jesus was done washing the disciples feet, He put His robe back on and asked them, "Do you understand what I was doing?" Remember what Jesus said earlier in verse seven, that they would not understand now, but would later. "Now He is going to explain to them in detail."

Joh 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. You call Me Teacher and Lord and you are right because that is what I am.

Joh 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. Since I, your Lord has washed your feet, you should wash each others feet. Is Jesus talking about going through a foot washing ceremony with others like many churches do. "Not at all." He is talking about humbling yourself and serving one another. (Philippians 2:2-5). Don't only think of yourself and be on an ego trip trying to impress others. Rather be humble and think of others as better than yourself. Don't only think of things that interest you, but take an interest in others also. Try to have the same attitude that Christ had. (It would be a wonderful world if we could all have the mind of Christ).

Joh 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Christ has give us an example to follow. (Ephesians 5:2, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 John 2:6). Anyone who says they are a Christian should try to live as Christ did. This word (abideth), is to (dwell with Him). The walk of Christ is perfect, but we not. We are always going to sin at times and Christ knows it. He just wants us to hang with Him as you would a good friend, and He will set the example. We just need to do our best to follow.

Joh 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 sent him. Here comes a truth, "slaves are not greater than their master." The messenger (Jesus), is no more important than the One who sends the message. (The Heavenly Father). (Matthew 10:24-25, Luke 6:40). Applying to us, the student cannot know more than his teacher. But, if he works hard, he matures and can learn as much. 

Joh 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. (There is a condition here). You may know the things of God, but if you do not do them, then you will not receive His blessings. (James 4:17). i.e. If you know better and do wrong it is a sin. If you did not know, then that is forgivable. God is not out to punish you, He is longing that all will come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9).

Joh 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 me hath lifted up his heel against me. I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. However, this fulfills the scripture that says; "The one who eats My food will turn against Me." Quoting from (Psalms 41:9), written 1,000 years earlier. (He was speaking of Judas). Sometimes the ones closes to you will turn against you. It happened to King David in (2 Samuel 15), and He writes about it in (Psalm 55:12-14), a cry against deceitful friends. (You have one friend that won't turn against you). "Jesus Christ."

Joh 13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. I tell you this now so you won't be surprised, and when it happens, you will believe that I AM the Messiah. (Jesus knew the disciples would be shocked when they find out the one who would betray Jesus was Judas, one of their own).

Joh 13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. I tell you a truth, anyone who welcomes My messenger (sent one), is welcoming Me, and anyone who welcomes Me is welcoming the Father who sent Me. (Matthew 10:40-41). The Doctrine, The Truth, The living Word. "Jesus Christ." Do you receive the prophets or teachers of God? When you do, you receive the same blessing as they receive.

Joh 13:21 When 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. Jesus was troubled by what He was about to say, but He said it. "I tell you a truth, one of you will betray Me."

Joh 13:22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. The disciples wondered who He was talking about. (Luke 22:23).

Joh 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table. Who was it? John was in the favored position, on the Lord's right hand. However, Judas sat on His left side.

Joh 13:24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. Simon Peter motioned to John to ask, "Who's He talking about?"

Joh 13:25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? So, John leaned over to Jesus and asked, "Lord, who is it?"

Joh 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 it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Jesus tells him, "It is the one who I will give the bread I dip in the bowl." Jesus dipped the bread in the bowl and gave it to Judas. (It was a mark of honor for the host to give a portion to one of the guests). The Lord had appealed to the conscience of Judas in verse 21, now He appeals to his heart.

Joh 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. As soon as Judas ate the bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus told him, "Hurry and do what you're going to do." (Luke 22:3). Up to this point, Judas had been possesses by the evil thought, now he is obsessed by the evil one himself. Therefore the Lord knew what had taken place, and that further appeal to his heart was useless. "Satan had already put into Judas, a heart to betray Jesus in verse two." (Judas rejected Jesus, and his love turned to Satan). "Don't ever test the power of Satan."

Joh 13:28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. No one else at the table knew what Jesus had said.

Joh 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 of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. This was the beginning at the close of Passover, when the high day, 15th of Nisan, began. Judas was the treasurer, and some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food, or give some money to the poor.

Joh 13:30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. So Judas left at once, going out into the night. (He was going to finish what he had to do). (Proverbs 4:16, Isaiah 59:7, Romans 3:15).

Joh 13:31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, "The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into His glory, and God will be glorified because of Him."

Joh 13:32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Since God receives glory because of the Son, He will soon give glory to the Son. (Jesus came to die and Judas' betrayal was what brought that about).

Joh 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 cannot come; so now I say to you. Jesus is telling them that He will be with them only a little longer. You will search for Me, but you can't come where I am going. Written back in (John 8:21-22). The disciples were just as clueless as the Jewish leaders about where He was going.

Joh 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. A commandment straight from Jesus. "Love one another as I have loved you." (One of God's greatest commandments). (1 John 5:1, 2 John 1:5).

Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. It is your love for one another that will prove to the world you are My disciples.  

Joh 13:36 Simon 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. Peter asked Jesus where it was that He was going? Jesus replied, "You can't go with Me now, but you will follow Me later." (2 Peter 1:14).

Joh 13:37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Why can't I come now Peter asked? "I am ready to die for you." (I don't think so). 

Joh 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, till thou hast denied me thrice. Jesus answers Peter, Die for Me? "I'll tell you another truth Peter; before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know Me." (Matthew 26:34-35). Christ told Peter straight up that this very night, he would deny Him three times. Do you think that would have offended Peter? Of course it did. "I would die first" Peter insisted, and all the other apostles said the same thing. (Never make a promise you can't keep, or have no control over). I am sure all the apostles had good intensions, but at times the flesh becomes so weak that you cannot control the end result. "To die for someone is quite a bold statement that many could not keep." Christ did it; "but we are not Christ."

Keep the faith,
Barton