John 13

John 13 marks the beginning of Jesus' final evening with His disciples before His crucifixion. In this chapter, He demonstrates servant leadership by washing the disciples' feet, predicts His betrayal by Judas, and gives a new commandment to love one another. This chapter shows Jesus' humility, foreknowledge of His betrayal, and emphasis on love and unity among His followers.

John 13:1-10 (NKJV)
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,
3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,
4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.
5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”
7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”

This passage showcases Jesus’ love, humility, and the spiritual cleansing necessary for His followers. As the Passover approached, Jesus, fully aware of His divine authority and the suffering ahead, demonstrated His love by washing His disciples’ feet, a task typically reserved for servants. This act served as an example of selfless service and a lesson in humility. Peter initially resisted, not understanding its significance, but Jesus explained that unless He washed Peter, he would have no part with Him. He clarified that those who have been bathed, symbolizing full spiritual cleansing through justification, do not need another bath but only their feet washed, representing the daily cleansing needed as they walk through life and encounter sin.

This act was also a silent rebuke to the disciples, who had been arguing about who among them was the greatest. By humbling Himself as a servant, Jesus taught that true greatness is found in serving others. Practically, this daily "foot washing" means coming to Jesus through daily repentance, acknowledging any sins we may have committed, and seeking forgiveness. It also involves immersing ourselves in His Word, which cleanses, renews, and guides us. Foot washing thus symbolizes humility, forgiveness, continual renewal in Christ, and a call to serve one another in love and unity, reflecting His character. Through this act, Jesus teaches the ongoing need for spiritual cleansing and a heart of service.

John 13:11-17 (NKJV)
11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”
12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?
13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

Jesus reinforces the lesson of humility and service. By washing their feet, He provides a powerful example, teaching them that true greatness in His kingdom is marked by service to others. The phrase “a servant is not greater than his master” encourages His disciples to adopt the same humble spirit, promising blessings for those who follow this example.

John 13:18-20 (NKJV)
18 “I do not 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.’
19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He.
20 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

This passage reveals Jesus’ awareness of His betrayal and emphasizes His divine mission and the disciples’ role in it. Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9, “He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me,” to show that Judas' betrayal was not a surprise but a fulfillment of prophecy, reinforcing that God’s plan was unfolding. By sharing this beforehand, Jesus sought to strengthen the disciples’ faith when it happened, affirming His foreknowledge and divine identity. In verse 20, Jesus highlights the sacredness of their mission, stating, “He who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me,” linking their acceptance to receiving Christ and the Father. This passage calls for trust in God’s sovereignty, even amidst trials, and underscores the responsibility of representing Christ faithfully, as their actions reflect their connection to Him and the Father.

John 13:21-30 (NKJV)
21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.
25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him.
29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.

These verses reveal Jesus’ deep distress over His impending betrayal. Despite this, He extends a final act of friendship to Judas by offering him bread, signifying His ongoing love and grace. Yet, Judas chooses to proceed with his betrayal. The phrase “And it was night” symbolically highlights the spiritual darkness of Judas’ actions and the events to come.

John 13:31-35 (NKJV)
31 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.
32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately.
33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you.
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

With Judas gone, Jesus speaks of His impending glorification, which will come through His sacrifice on the cross. He gives a “new commandment” to His disciples—to love each other as He has loved them. This love, characterized by self-sacrifice, will be the defining mark of His followers, showing the world the transformative power of Jesus’ teachings.

John 13:36-38 (NKJV)
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 shall follow Me afterward.”
37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”
38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.”

Peter’s passionate declaration of loyalty contrasts with Jesus’ somber prediction of his coming denial. Jesus reveals Peter’s future failure, not to discourage him, but to show that even the strongest intentions can falter under pressure. This serves as a reminder that true strength comes from reliance on Jesus, who alone can sustain His followers in times of testing.