Reference: Washing the hands and feet
Smith
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 of refreshment to the traveller. The former of these usages was transformed by the Pharisees of the New Testament age into a matter of ritual observance,
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.
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.
Ge 18:4; 19:2; 24:32; 43:24; Jg 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; Lu 7:38,44; Joh 13:5-14; 1Ti 5:10
Such a token of hospitality is still occasionally exhibited in the East.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Let a little water, I pray you, be brought and wash your feet and rest yourselves under a tree;
and he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your slave's house and tarry all night and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early and go on your ways. And they said, No, but we will abide in the street all night.
Then the man came into the house, and Laban ungirded his camels and gave straw and fodder for the camels and water to wash his feet and the men's feet that were with him.
And the man brought the men into Joseph's house and gave them water, and they washed their feet, and he gave their asses fodder.
And from it Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet.
they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they not die. And he and his seed shall have it as a perpetual statute throughout their generations.
So he brought him into his house and gave fodder unto the asses, and they washed their feet, and ate and drank.
And she arose and bowed herself on her face to the earth and said, Behold, let thy handmaid be a slave to wash the feet of the slaves of my lord.
(For the Pharisees and all the Jews, unless they wash their hands often, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
and stood at his feet behind him weeping and began to wash his feet with tears and wiped them with the hairs of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.
And he turned to the woman and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou didst give me no water for my feet; but she has washed my feet with tears and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
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. Then he came to Simon Peter, and Peter said unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? read more. Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou dost not understand now, but thou shalt understand afterwards. Peter said unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with me. Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus said to him, He that is washed needs only to wash his feet because he is completely clean, and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore, said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet and had taken his garments and had sat down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord; and ye say well, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet.