John 13

John 13:1–11 ESV

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

John 13:1–11 (ESV)

John 13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

depart This term means to go from one place to another. Jesus prophesied His resurrection and, by extension, His ascension to heaven in 12:27–34.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 13

from this world Jesus’ work continues; His coming suffering and death is not the end, but the beginning. Although He is troubled by His coming death (12:27), He wants His disciples to have confidence in their knowledge that His death does not mark the end of His ministry.

John 13:2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,

New Testament (13:1–11—Footwashing)

13:1–2. Meals were common settings for teaching sessions.

13:2 devil Refers to the enemy of God’s people, the tempter and oppressor (Matt 4:5; 13:39; Acts 10:38; see note on Heb 2:14; compare 1 Tim 3:6–7). Jesus has known all along that Judas was (or would be) influenced by the devil to betray Him (John 6:70). In this moment, when facing Judas, Jesus is not encountering a mere demon; He is facing the one He has called the “murderer from the beginning” of time (8:44).

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He casts out demons, demonstrating His power over the spirits of darkness (Luke 8:26–39). He has already overcome the temptations of the devil, who is called “Satan” in Mark’s Gospel (Matt 4:8; see note on Mark 1:13). Here, Jesus allows the devil to do his work because He realizes such work is necessary for Him to fulfill the will of God. He must suffer and die on behalf of God’s people to fulfill the Scriptures and restore God’s people to right relationship with Him. His death rectifies the sin problem by removing sin as a barrier between them and God (John 2:22; see note on Isa 53:12).

The devil’s work, although still evil, is being used for a greater purpose. God does not condone what the devil does through Judas or Judas’ decision to allow the devil to enter him; instead, God allows evil to play its role so that His greater purposes can be accomplished.

What do you do when you’re the most powerful person in the room?

John 13:3-4 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.

13:3 given him all things Here, John tells the reader that Jesus is not acting as an ordinary person; He is acting as the Son of God—to whom the entire kingdom has been given. This makes His sacrifice all the more profound.

come forth from God John is clear: Jesus came from God the Father and deserves to reign because all things have been given to Him by the Creator (Gen 1:1; John 1:1). Jesus knows His identity in God, yet He will choose to die because of God’s love for people (3:16).

13:4 his outer clothing First-century Jews typically wore two layers—an outside robe and an inside robe against their skin. Here, Jesus takes off his outside robe either because He doesn’t want to get it wet or, more likely, to demonstrate His vulnerability to His disciples, which suggests that love requires a person to be vulnerable. Jesus then ties a towel around his waist, likely to use if for wiping the disciples’ feet.

Just before this, John tells us that Jesus has been given all things by God the Father: He possesses the entire universe (v. 3). Here, Jesus strips Himself of what is likely His only possession on earth and only identification as a rabbi (rabbis were often recognized by their robes).

John 13:5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Jesus’ removing his outer garments to serve them would also appear as a sign of great humility before them.

By so serving, Jesus prefigures his death as the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 on behalf of the many. Unlike Greco-Roman society, Judaism stressed humility; but like other societies, it also upheld societal roles. Jesus overturns even positions of social status.

John 13:6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 13

13:6 Lord The Greek term used here, kyrios, means “ruler” or “master.” In the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Hebrew Scriptures, commonly used by early Christians), kyrios is used in place of the divine name, Yahweh.

If Peter is using kyrios in the sense of the divine name, then he is referring to Jesus as God. This seems to fit Jesus’ “I am” remark in v. 13.

13:6–8. Jesus’ act violates cultural status boundaries so thoroughly (see comment on vv. 3–5) that Peter finds it unthinkable.

John 13:7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”

13:7 after these things Not until Jesus dies and is resurrected will His disciples fully understand His mission and role in the world.

John 13:8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 13

13:8 To have no share with Jesus means that one does not belong to him. Here the footwashing symbolizes the washing necessary for the forgiveness of sins, in anticipation of Jesus’ death for his people, by which sins are washed away.

John 13:9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”

13:9 my hands Symbolizes people’s decisions and their sins against other people and, by extension, against God.

my head Represents people’s thoughts and the sins they commit in their minds.

John 13:10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.”

Faithlife Study Bible (Chapter 13)

13:10 who has bathed Jesus is using this imagery metaphorically, implying that He is the water and His work in the believers is the cleansing (see 15:3).Baptism pools have been unearthed at sites that would have been inhabited by Jewish people during Jesus’ lifetime (such as Qumran); they were also found surrounding where the Jerusalem temple would have stood in the first century AD. The Jewish Essenes even bathed before meals (see the work of Jewish historian Josephus, Jewish Wars 2.129).

Faithlife Study Bible (Chapter 13)

completely clean Cleansing rituals were part of everyday life for Jews of the first century. Jesus suggests that His work in the believer eliminates the need for repetitive cleansing.

but not all Jesus references Judas, who has chosen to reject Him. Even someone who has spent much time in the very presence of Jesus and been witness to His work, like Judas, must still make a decision about whether to accept Him.

John 13:11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

John 13:12–20 ESV

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

John 13:12–20 (ESV)

John 13:12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?

New Testament 13:12–20—The Meaning of Footwashing

13:12–14. Disciples normally served their teachers, after the model of Elisha serving Elijah and Joshua serving Moses.

John 13:13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 13

13:13 Teacher Jesus leads by example; by affirming this title here, He instructs the disciples to follow His example as they have already committed to doing. He reminds them that even in difficult times or in situations they consider beneath them (see note on v. 5), they must follow Him. See note on 1:38.

I am Jesus is likely evoking God’s chosen way of identifying Himself in the OT—saying that He is Yahweh, the God of Israel and ruler of the universe. This parallels what John says about Jesus in 1:1–4 and what Jesus knows of His own identity, revealed in v. 3. See note on 4:26.

John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

New Testament 13:12–20—The Meaning of Footwashing

13:15. Disciples were to learn especially by imitating their teachers.

John 13:16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

New Testament 13:12–20—The Meaning of Footwashing

13:16–17. Some slaves were prominent when compared with free peasants, but any authority slaves exercised was derived from their masters, and slaves were always subordinate to their masters. An agent was always subordinate to his sender, his authority limited to the extent of his authorization.

John 13:17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

13:17 you are blessed God will help and honor those who follow Jesus.

John 13:18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 13

13:18 whom I have chosen Jesus is referencing all of His disciples who are present, but not Judas.

13:18. Here Jesus cites Psalm 41:9, a psalm of a righteous sufferer; one scholar has pointed out that lifting up one’s heel is an act of disdain in cultures similar to ancient Judaism. Table fellowship was considered an intimate bond, and betrayal following it was particularly perverse.

John 13:19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.

13:19. Cf. Isaiah 41:26, 44:7, 11 and 48:3–7: God predicts the future so when it comes about his people will finally acknowledge that he, unlike the gods of the nations, is true.

John 13:20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

New Testament (13:12–20—The Meaning of Footwashing)

13:20. In ancient cultures, one responded to agents, ambassadors or other representatives according to one’s feelings toward the person who authorized them.

Faithlife Study Bible (Chapter 13)

13:20 receives the one who sent me Anyone who accepts and embraces the work of Jesus’ disciples embraces the work of God the Father.

The ESV Study Bible (Chapter 13)

13:20 The one I send refers first of all to the disciples whom Jesus would specifically send out at 20:22. But more broadly it applies to all messengers of Christ, in every age, who bring the gospel of Christ to others.

receives. To truly “receive” such a messenger is to accept and believe the gospel and to trust in Christ. (The same word for “receive” [Gk. lambanō] is also used in 1:12; 3:32–33; 5:43; 12:48.) This and similar verses (e.g., 20:22; Luke 18:17; Rom. 3:25) give the basis for using the language of “receiving Christ as Savior” in reference to hearing the gospel message and believing it.

John 13:21–30 (ESV)

After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

September 7, 2022

John 13:21–30 (ESV)

John 13:21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 13

13:21 troubled in spirit Jesus feels the weight of His imminent suffering and death.

13:21–22. Greek philosophers stressed remaining always tranquil and untroubled in spirit, but not everyone in antiquity shared this value. Although the Fourth Gospel stresses Jesus’ deity, it also stresses and frequently illustrates his humanity (1:14). In the Old Testament God’s passionate feelings also frequently surface (e.g., Judg 10:16; Is 63:9–10; Jer 2:30–32; 9:1–3; Hos 11:8).

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 13

Disputes and arguments weren’t allowed at meals. This means that when Jesus brings up a betrayer being among them, He was breaking social norms, making this statement all the more surprising. Conversations proceeded in a manner that had to do with social rank, which is likely why Peter asks the disciple “whom Jesus loved” to ask Jesus who He is talking about. They are following social customs, not being secretive.

John 13:22 disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.

John 13:23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side,

13:23. Men would recline on couches at feasts (women would not dine in the same room with a gathering of men outside their family). Each person would recline slightly behind the person to his right; thus John could lean his head back and be even with Jesus’ chest. (They would lean on the left elbow with the right arm free and so could not cut up their food; it would come presliced at the banquet.) This beloved disciple (presumably John) has one of the most honored positions at the feast, along with the person on the left—perhaps Judas, as some commentators have suggested, given verse 26.

John 13:24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking.

John 13:25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?”

13:25 leaned back accordingly against Jesus’ chest Refers to the position of the disciple Jesus loved—he is sitting in the normal reclining position for this sort of meal setup, probably sharing the same couch with Jesus. This position of honor probably lets him speak to Jesus without the other disciples overhearing.

John 13:26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.

13:24–27. For the host to dip a piece of bread in the common bowl (or on Passover, no doubt bitter herbs in a container of something sweeter) and hand it to someone was normally a sign of honor to the person who received it. Jesus is in complete control here (cf. Mk 14:20).

John 13:27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

13:27 Satan entered into him The Greek term satanas is used here instead of the word diabolos (“devil”; v. 2).

John 13:28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him.

John 13:29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.

John 13:30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

13:30 And it was night strikes an ominous note (cf. Luke 22:53: “this is your hour, and the power of darkness”). See also Matt. 26:20; Mark 14:17; 1 Cor. 11:23.

13:28–30. Some pietists would do a charitable work before Passover to secure God’s favor. It would not have been customary to go outside on Passover night (Ex 12:22), but in John’s narrative (unlike Matthew, Mark and Luke) Passover apparently begins the following day (18:28; see comment there).

John 13:31–34 ESV

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

John 13:31–34 (ESV)

John 13:31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

13:31 Son of Man Jesus understands that He must suffer in order for His role as the Son of Man to be fulfilled and for God to glorify Him. See note on Matt 8:20 (compare John 1:51 and note).

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is glorified Because Jesus allowed God’s will to be done when presented with the option of stopping the person who would betray Him, God makes Jesus great.

John 13:32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.

The ESV Study Bible (Chapter 13)

13:31–32 The passage echoes Isa. 49:3.

3  And he said to me, “You are my servant,

Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

Again Jesus’ glorification is tied to his death.

John 13:33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’

New Testament 13:31–35—Glory and Love Defined

13:33. Teachers sometimes called their disciples “children” (cf. 1 Jn 2:1), and disciples called teachers “my father.” Jewish literature also included “testaments” of dying or departing famous heroes of the past giving important teachings to their children, to be read by future generations. Because Jesus is leaving, it is natural for him to provide final instructions to his disciples, whether or not John consciously follows the testamentary form here.

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

New Testament (13:31–35—Glory and Love Defined)

13:34–35. The Old Testament had commanded love (Lev 19:18); what makes Jesus’ commandment new is the new standard and example: “as I have loved you”—in the context, to the point of laying down one’s life for others.

The ESV Study Bible (Chapter 13)

13:34–35 Love must be the distinguishing mark of Jesus’ disciples. Jesus’ “new command” takes its point of departure from the Mosaic commands to love the Lord with all one’s powers and to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Lev. 19:18; cf. Deut. 6:5; Mark 12:28–33), but Jesus’ own love and teaching deepen and transform these commands. Jesus even taught love for one’s enemies (Matt. 5:43–48). The command to love one’s neighbor was not new; the newness was found in loving one another as Jesus had loved his disciples (cf. John 13:1; 15:13). In light of Jesus’ subsequent death, just as implies a love that is even willing to lay down one’s life for another (see 15:13).

John 13:36–38 ESV

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

John 13:36–38 (ESV)

John 13:36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.”

13:36 will follow later Peter won’t die with Jesus, but he will later die for his faith (according to church tradition). Jesus means that after Peter dies, he will follow Jesus into eternal life.

John 13:37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

13:36–37. Although Peter is sure that he will follow Jesus to the death, he does not understand that death is precisely where Jesus is going (14:5). For the misunderstanding motif, see, for example, 3:4; for background on it, see the introduction to Mark.

John 13:38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

New Testament (13:36–14:1—Following to the Cross?)

13:38. The first night cock crowing in Jerusalem occurred by about 12:30 a.m., according to some reports (others place it later), though only night watchmen were awake to hear it (most people went to sleep at sundown). That the rooster crowed to mark the advent of dawn is more widely reported because this was the cock crowing most people knew. In either case the point is that Peter’s denial will follow almost immediately after his promise not to deny Jesus.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 13

13:38 the rooster will not crow. See also Matt. 26:34; Mark 14:30; Luke 22:34. In a number of manuscripts of Mark’s Gospel, though not all, Mark mentions the rooster crowing “twice” (Mark 14:30, 68, 72), but roosters could crow a number of times separated by a few minutes. Mark specifies the first two individual crowings (as evidently Jesus did), while Matthew, Luke, and John focus on the shameful fact of Peter’s denial. They therefore drop this detail and report Jesus as referring to the entire set of crowings as the time the rooster crows.