Bible Commentaries
John 13

Verse 1

1 This was the fourth and last Passover that Jesus attended after his baptism. Before the feast means just before, for the hour of his death was in sight; he was to die the next day. Loved them unto the end. Regardless of the many weaknesses the apostles had shown at various times, Jesus never wavered in his love for them.

Verse 2

2 This chapter corresponds with Luk 22:1-23 in most respects. There are some items of that last night given in Luke's account that John does not give, and vice versa. The most significant difference being at the point when Jesus instituted his own supper. Not that any disagreement exists, but the items are more detailed in some accounts than in the others, and I shall comment on that when we come to verse 23. Until then the comments will be made on the verses in their order. Being ended is translated "taking place" by the Englishman's Greek New Testament. That is correct, for the passover supper was far from being ended when Jesus did the things that are recorded now. The devil having put. This was done when Judas saw what he called the "waste" of the precious ointment. (See the comments at Mat 26:14.)

Verse 3

3 Jesus knew that the work his Father had given him to do was about done, and that he would soon return to Him from whom he had come into the world.

Verse 4

4 The garments Jesus laid aside were the outer ones that were worn over the closer-fitting ones next to the body. They were discarded for the time in order to give more freedom for the manual performance he intended to do.

Verse 5

5 A great deal of confusion has come upon the religious world over the subject of feet washing. I shall quote from Smith's Bible Dictionary concerning this: "Washing the Hands and Feet. As knives and forks were not used in the East, in Scripture times, in eating, it was necessary that the hand, which was- thrust into the common dish, should be scrupulously clean; and again, as sandals were ineffectual against the dust and heat of the climate, washing the feet on entering a house was an act both of respect to the company and refreshing to the traveler. The former of these usages was transformed by the Pharisees of the New Testament age into a matter of ritual observance, Mar 7:3, and special rules were laid down as to the time and manner of its performance. Washing the feet did not rise to the dignity of a ritual observance except in connection with the services of the sanctuary. Exo 30:19; Exo 30:21. It held a high place, however, among the rites of hospitality. Immediately that a guest presented himself at the tent door, it was usual to offer the necessary materials for washing the feet. Gen 18:4; Gen 19:2; Gen 24:32; Gen 43:24; Jdg 19:21. It was a yet more complimentary act, betokening equally humility and affection, if the host himself performed the office for his guest. 1Sa 25:41; Luk 7:38; Luk 7:44; Joh 13:5-14; 1Ti 5:10. Such a token of hospitality is still occasionally exhibited in the East."

Verse 6

6. The mere act of having his feet washed would not seem strange to Peter, but he was astonished that his Lord was going to do that for him.

Verse 7

7 What I do thou knowest not now. The customary practice of washing the feet, and the conditions that originated it, were known to Peter. (See the historical quotation at verse 5.) Hence we know that Jesus meant to teach a lesson aside from those facts, that would have a moral and spiritual significance.

Verse 8

8 Still seeing only the lowly service of hospitality in the act, Peter protested having Jesus wash his feet. This statement opened the way for Jesus to begin the lesson he intended by the performance. He introduced it by the assertion that such a protest was equivalent to rejecting the partnership with Him.

Verse 9

9 This suggested to Peter that he had missed the point of the whole performance, and that some great benefit was to be derived from his Lord that was not visible in the literal washing. With such a thought about it, he concluded he wanted even a fuller amount of the favor, and asked Jesus for a more general washing.

Verse 10

0 Jesus understood that Peter still had literal or material washing in his mind, although he seemed to expect some mysterious effects from it. He therefore made his first remarks from that standpoint, meaning that since they were normally clean in the main except their feet, those parts would need washing since they had just come in from a journey on foot. After saying that much on the material side of the subject, admitting them all to be clean in that respect, Jesus immediately added the exception that must be understood from the moral or spiritual standpoint, when he used the short phrase, but not all.

Verse 11

1 John explains in this verse what Jesus meant in the preceeding one. The act of Judas in betraying Jesus was planned by an unclean heart, and hence the Lord referred to him in this indefinite way as being unclean.

Verse 12

2 Jesus completed the feet washing while making the aforesaid speech, resumed wearing his outer garments, and again took his place at the table where the passover supper was still in progress. Set down is from ANAPIPTO, which Thayer defines, "To recline at table." In old times people reclined while eating, at a table only a few inches higher than the floor. The diners would lie on their sides and rest the head on one hand while serving themselves with the other. They lay at a 45-degree angle with the table, which placed the head of one person virtually in the bosom of the one behind him, and in very intimate cases the two would be very near each other. This position explains how Jesus could wash their feet even while they were eating without disturbing them, and without getting into any inconvenient or unbecoming posture, as would have been necessary were they sitting at a modern table with their feet under it. It explains also how the woman could stand behind Jesus while he was eating (Luk 7:36-38). After Jesus had taken his place again at the table, he asked them if they knew what had been done; meaning whether they knew what it signified.

Verse 13

3 Master is from a word that means teacher, and Lord means a ruler. The apostles had recognized Jesus as having both of these functions over them.

Verse 14

4 As the world would look at the matter, each of the aforesaid qualifications would entitle a man to the services of others. Instead of assuming such a superior attitude, Jesus acted the part of a servant in performing a necessary though humble favor. He specified the washing of each other's feet as an example of the kind of spirit they should manifest in their dealings with each other.

Verse 15

5 This verse is more general and shows Jesus intended his act to be an example of humility, a characteristic that had been wanting so many times in their conduct.

Verse 16

6 This verse is more teaching along the same line as the preceding ones. In the kingdom of Christ there are to be no great and small members as men count greatness.

Verse 17

7 This short verse contains a great principle that permeates the entire structure of man's relation to God. No one can serve Him without knowing what will please Him, but even that knowledge is useless unless It is carried out in performance.

Verse 18

8 I speak not of you all. Jesus knew his lesson of humility would not benefit all of his apostles, for a man like Judas would not be influenced by anything that did not contribute to his selfishness. Jesus did not name the traitor, but cited a prediction about him that is in Psa 41:9. Lifted up his heel is a phrase based on the ancient manner of reclining at table while eating. (See the comments at verse 12.) In that position a person could receive a morsel of bread from another, and at the same time make the personal attack against him with his heel.

Verse 19

9 This verse shows another instance where a prediction becomes an evidence after it is fulfilled. (See the comments at Luk 21:13.)

Verse 20

0 This verse teaches the relation between God, his Son and the apostles. They all are so connected in the divine plan, that no man can either accept or reject either part of the group, without doing the same thing to the others. Jesus taught this same great truth in Mat 10:40, which was just after selecting his 12 apostles and was giving them their "first commission."

Verse 21

1 Troubled is from the same Greek word as that in Joh 12:27, and the definition is the same in each place. However, the cause of His agitation in the present instance was the thought of being betrayed by one of the group at the table.

Verse 22

2 When Jesus announced in general terms that one of them was going to betray him, they each gave an inquiring look at the others. There was only one man among them who knew whom Jesus meant, and that was Judas the traitor.

Verse 23

3 The events of this last night, especially as they pertain to the Lord's supper, are not all stated in any one of the Gospel records; neither are the accounts given in chronological order. Before going any farther with this chapter, the reader should see the notes at Mat 26:20. I shall now comment on the verses here in their order. Leaning on Jesus' bosom. This act is explained by the comments on verse 12, concerning the position of the body while eating. Whom Jesus loved. According to chapter 21:20, 24, this apostle was John. Jesus was human as well as divine, and had his personal friends as other men do. (See the comments at Joh 11:3.)

Verse 24

4 As John was nearest to Jesus, Peter made a sign to him that he should ask Jesus to point out the traitor.

Verse 25

5 John then asked Jesus direct whom he meant.

Verse 26

6 When Jesus answered John's question Judas did not hear it. The answer was accompanied with the act of dipping a piece of bread in the dish containing the broth. He did this at the same time that Judas did, which was part of the sign to the other apostles, that answered their question of who was to be the betrayer. (See Mat 26:23.) There was nothing strange in their both dipping into the dish at the same time. (See the comments about hands and feet washing at verse 5.) The unusual thing was that of giving the piece to Judas when he had already served himself with one. According to Mat 26:25, when this act was done, Judas asked Jesus if it was he who was to betray him. Judas could not have asked the question for information, for he had already contracted with the chief priests to betray his Lord. But all of the others had asked the same question, and if he had kept silent, it would have been so conspicuous as to manifest his guilt.

Verse 27

7 Satan entered into him. Not that it was the first time (Luk 22:3), for he had previously made his agreement with the chief priests to betray Jesus. But Satan made another and more insistent demand that he carry out his wicked promise. Jesus knew all about it, and hence he added the words of the last sentence. It means the same as if Jesus had said: "Since you have determined to betray me, do not delay .to perform the act according to your agreement with the chief priests.

Verse 28

9 Need of against the feast. Not the passover feast, for that was a one-day affair, and it was about over at this time. But that day was followed immediately with seven more days of unleavened bread which was also called a feast (Lev 23:5-6). The apostles thought that possibly Jesus meant for Judas to go and attend to that matter, since he was their treasurer and handled the money. They had just learned that Judas was going to betray Jesus, but they did not connect that with the suggestion of Jesus about the promptness to be exercised by Judas.

Verse 30

0 Judas "took Jesus at his word" and went immediately out after receiving the sop. He went to the chief priests and obtained a band of men for his wicked use. Thayer defines this band as "a detachment of soldiers." The sop was used as a part of the passover feast. Judas went out as soon as he had received the sop and never came back. The Lord's Supper was instituted after the passover supper. (See the comments at Mat 26:20.) From the aforesaid truths we will see that Judas was not present when the Lord's supper was instituted.

Verse 31

1 Now is accommodative and means the time was at hand when the Son of man was to be glorified, referring to the scenes that were to end with the crucifixion. Glorified is from DOXAZO, which Thayer defines at this place, "To exalt to a glorious rank or condition." The supreme sacrifice which Jesus was soon to make would exalt him to the highest rank of worthiness, for it would constitute Him the atoning sacrifice for the whole world. It would also glorify God since it was his Son who was to be given to the world in this great loving sacrifice. (See Joh 3:16.)

Verse 32

2 This means virtually the same as the preceding verse.

Verse 33

3 Little children was an endearing term, used to indicate the nearness that Jesus felt for his apostles. Ye shall seek me means that after Jesus was taken from them, the apostles would long for his presence again, because they would miss his loving counsel. They would not be able to follow him then (verse 36), because he was going to die soon, and they must remain in the world to do the work for their Master.

Verse 34

4 New commandment. The people of God have always been commanded to love each other, hence that was not what was new. But the motive for that love was new, namely, because I have loved you. This was not an arbitrary reason but a logical one. If I know that Jesus loves my brother, I would conclude that the brother was entitled to that love. And if he is good enough to obtain the love of the Master, surely he is good enough for the love of me who am only a fellow-servant of the Master.

Verse 35

5 Since such love as the forementioned is so different, then when men see it manifested between the apostles, they will take it to mean they are disciples of Jesus.

Verse 36

6 Peter was referring to the statement of Jesus recorded in verse 33. Jesus repeated the statement, then added that Peter would follow him afterwards. He said this with reference to the manner in which Peter would die. (See chapter 21:18, 19.)

Verse 37

7 Peter was always inclined to be rash and impulsive. In his eagerness to go with Jesus (wherever that was to be), he made this exaggerating assertion.

Verse 38

8 This prediction of Jesus is recorded in Mat 26:34; Mar 14:30, and Luk 22:34. In some of the passages the prediction includes a few more details than the present one. There is a special feature of the fulfillment in Luk 22:61.