John's narrative uniquely interweaves Jesus's act of humble service with his quotation of Psalm 41:9 about betrayal, creating dramatic irony as the betrayer sits among those being served.
John 13
The Washing of the Disciples' Feet
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 should also do as I have done to you.
16Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is 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.”
The Prediction of Judas's Betrayal
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’ chest.
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’ chest, 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 nobody 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.
The New Commandment
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.
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Theme
John 13 opens Jesus' final discourse with his disciples before the crucifixion, beginning with his dramatic act of washing their feet as a lesson in humble service. Jesus then reveals that one of the twelve will betray him, causing distress among the disciples as they wonder who the traitor might be. The chapter concludes with Jesus giving his disciples a new commandment to love one another as he has loved them, establishing the foundational ethic for the Christian community.
Context
This chapter begins the 'Farewell Discourse' (chapters 13-17) that follows Jesus' public ministry and precedes his arrest and crucifixion.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-5 Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet Jesus demonstrates radical humility by performing the menial task of foot washing during their final meal together.
- 6-11 Peter's Protest and Jesus' Response Peter initially resists Jesus' service but then requests a complete washing, prompting Jesus to explain the spiritual significance.
- 12-17 The Lesson on Servanthood Jesus explains that his act of service provides a model for how the disciples should treat one another.
- 18-20 Prophecy of Betrayal Jesus references Scripture to predict that one of his chosen disciples will betray him.
- 21-30 Identification of the Betrayer Jesus reveals to the beloved disciple that Judas is the betrayer, and Judas departs into the night.
- 31-38 The New Commandment and Peter's Denial Predicted Jesus gives the command to love one another and predicts Peter's threefold denial before the rooster crows.
The Washing of the Disciples' Feet
13:1–13:20 gospel narration tender
Before Passover, Jesus washes his disciples' feet as an example of humble service, teaching them to serve one another as he has served them.
quotation_chain
John's narrative uniquely interweaves Jesus's act of humble service with his quotation of Psalm 41:9 about betrayal, creating dramatic irony as the betrayer sits among those being served.
The Prediction of Judas's Betrayal
13:21–13:30 gospel dialogue anguished
Jesus predicts his betrayal by one of the disciples, identifying Judas through the giving of bread. Satan enters Judas, and he departs into the night.
person_contrast
Jesus's emotional turmoil ("troubled in spirit") creates a rare vulnerability moment, contrasting sharply with his typical authoritative presence throughout John's Gospel.
The New Commandment
13:31–13:38 gospel speech solemn
Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment to love one another as he has loved them, while predicting Peter's denial. This establishes love as the defining mark of Christian discipleship.
person_contrast
Jesus uses the intimate address "little children" (τεκνία) only here in John's Gospel, marking this final discourse as uniquely tender compared to his typically authoritative teaching style.
Insights
Jesus's emotional turmoil ("troubled in spirit") creates a rare vulnerability moment, contrasting sharply with his typical authoritative presence throughout John's Gospel.
Jesus uses the intimate address "little children" (τεκνία) only here in John's Gospel, marking this final discourse as uniquely tender compared to his typically authoritative teaching style.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
John 13:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 John 3:14 Lexical
We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remain…
John 17:24 Lexical
Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory which you have…
John 17:5 Lexical
Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.
John 16:32 Lexical
Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will l…
Matthew 6:8 Lexical
Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.
John 13:3 1 reference
John 13:5 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 7:44 Lexical
Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for…
Luke 7:38 Lexical
Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her h…
John 21:7 Lexical
That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,…
John 13:7 1 reference
John 13:9 1 reference
John 13:12 1 reference
John 13:18 3 references
John 13:21 2 references
John 13:24 1 reference
John 13:27 1 reference
John 13:29 4 references
Lexicals 4
John 12:6 Lexical
Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal…
Luke 9:13 Lexical
But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless…
Luke 12:51 Lexical
Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division.
Matthew 22:17 Lexical
Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
John 13:30 1 reference
John 13:31 1 reference
John 13:33 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 8:21 Lexical
Jesus said therefore again to them, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sins. Where I go, y…
John 8:22 Lexical
The Jews therefore said, “Will he kill himself, because he says, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come’?”
John 7:33 Lexical
Then Jesus said, “I will be with you a little while longer, then I go to him who sent me.
John 12:35 Lexical
Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness do…
Galatians 1:10 Lexical
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wo…
John 13:34 3 references
Lexicals 3
1 John 3:23 Lexical
This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he c…
2 John 1:5 Lexical
Now I beg you, dear lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that…
John 15:12 Lexical
“This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
John 13:35 2 references
John 13:36 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 3:8 Lexical
The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So i…
John 16:5 Lexical
But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
John 20:2 Lexical
Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken…
John 14:5 Lexical
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
John 8:14 Lexical
Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am…
John 13:37 4 references
Lexicals 4
John 15:13 Lexical
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
1 John 3:16 Lexical
By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
John 10:11 Lexical
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:15 Lexical
even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 13:38 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 14:30 Lexical
Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will…
Matthew 26:34 Lexical
Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”
John 10:11 Lexical
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:15 Lexical
even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 15:13 Lexical
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
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