John 13:1-20 - Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet

¹ Now it was before the Passover Festival [was to begin] and Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Those [living] in the world, whom He had loved, and who were His own [disciples], He continued to love [dearly] to the very end [i.e., of His life on earth].

² The devil had already filled the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, with the desire to turn Jesus over [i.e., to the Jewish authorities]. During the [Passover] meal, ³ Jesus, who knew that the Father had given Him complete authority, [also] knew that He had come from God and was [about] to return to God. ⁴ So, He got up from the dinner table, laid aside His [outer] clothing and took a towel and wrapped it around Himself. ⁵ Then He poured water into a basin and began washing His disciples feet and drying them with the towel around His waist.

⁶ He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet, [too]?"

⁷ Jesus answered him, "You do not understand what I am doing, but you will later on."

⁸ Peter said to Him, "[No], you will never wash my feet." Jesus replied to him, "If I do not wash you, you will not be able to participate with me [i.e., as a disciple]."

⁹ Simon Peter [then] said to Him, "Lord, do not [just] wash my feet only, but my hands and head, too."

¹⁰ Jesus replied to him, "The person who has already had a bath is completely clean and does not need to wash anything but his feet. And you disciples are [already] clean [i.e., spiritually], but not every one of you." ¹¹ For Jesus knew who would betray Him; that is why He said, "Not every one of you is [spiritually] clean."

¹² So, after Jesus had washed His disciples' feet and put His [outer] clothing back on, He reclined again [at the dinner table] and said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me 'Teacher,' and 'Lord,' and you are right in doing so because that is who I am. ¹⁴ So if I, then, being your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you should wash one another's feet also. ¹⁵ For I have set an example for you, so that you should do as I have done for you.

¹⁶ Truly, truly, I tell you, a slave is not greater [in importance] than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the person who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, you will be happy if you practice them. ¹⁸ "I am not talking about all of you; for I know the ones I have chosen [i.e., which of the twelve apostles would be faithful]. But let the Scripture [Psa. 41:9] be fulfilled [that says], 'The person who eats with me has [viciously] turned against me.'

¹⁹ I am telling you this now, [even] before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe that I am [the Messiah]. ²⁰ Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who welcomes whoever I send welcomes me; and the one who welcomes me, welcomes God, who sent me."