Thematic Bible
John 13:1 (show verse)
Before the Passover Festival began, Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave the world and go to the Father. He had loved those who were his own in the world, and he loved them to the last.
John 13:2 (show verse)
The Devil had already put the thought of betraying Jesus into the mind of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon;
John 13:3 (show verse)
And at supper, Jesus--although knowing that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God, and was to return to God--
John 13:4 (show verse)
Rose from his place, and, taking off his upper garments, tied a towel round his waist.
John 13:5 (show verse)
He then poured some water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel which was tied round him.
John 13:6 (show verse)
When he came to Simon Peter, Peter said: "You, Master! Are you going to wash my feet?"
John 13:7 (show verse)
"You do not understand now what I am doing," replied Jesus, "but you will learn by and by."
John 13:8 (show verse)
"You shall never wash my feet!" exclaimed Peter. "Unless I wash you," answered Jesus, "you have nothing in common with me."
John 13:9 (show verse)
"Then, Master, not my feet only," exclaimed Simon Peter, "but also my hands and my head."
John 13:10 (show verse)
"He who has bathed," replied Jesus, "has no need to wash, unless it be his feet, but is altogether clean; and you," he said to the disciples, "are clean, yet not all of you."
John 13:11 (show verse)
For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said 'You are not all clean.'
John 13:12 (show verse)
When he had washed their feet, and had put on his upper garments and taken his place, he spoke to them again. "Do you understand what I have been doing to you?" he asked.
John 13:13 (show verse)
"You yourselves call me 'the Teacher' and 'the Master', and you are right, for I am both.
John 13:14 (show verse)
If I, then--'the Master' and 'the Teacher'--have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet;
John 13:15 (show verse)
For I have given you an example, so that you may do just as I have done to you.
John 13:16 (show verse)
In truth I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor yet a messenger than the man who sends him.
John 13:17 (show verse)
Now that you know these things, happy are you if you do them.
John 13:18 (show verse)
I am not speaking about all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but this is in fulfillment of the words of Scripture--'He that is eating my bread has lifted his heel against me.'
John 13:19 (show verse)
For the future I shall tell you of things before they take place, so that, when they take place, you may believe that I am what I am.
John 13:20 (show verse)
In truth I tell you, he who receives any one that I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me."
John 13:21 (show verse)
After saying this, Jesus was much troubled, and said solemnly: "In truth I tell you that it is one of you who will betray me."
John 13:22 (show verse)
The disciples looked at one another, wondering whom he meant.
John 13:23 (show verse)
Next to Jesus, in the place on his right hand, was one of his disciples, whom he loved.
John 13:24 (show verse)
So Simon Peter made signs to that disciple, and whispered: "Tell me who it is that he means."
John 13:25 (show verse)
Being in this position, that disciple leant back on Jesus' shoulder, and asked him: "Who is it, Master?"
John 13:26 (show verse)
"It is the one," answered Jesus, "to whom I shall give a piece of bread after dipping it in the dish." And, when Jesus had dipped the bread, he took it and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot;
John 13:27 (show verse)
And it was then, after he had received it, that Satan took possession of him. So Jesus said to him: "Do at once what you are going to do."
John 13:28 (show verse)
But no one at table understood why he said this to Judas.
John 13:29 (show verse)
Some thought that, as Judas kept the purse, Jesus meant that he was to buy some things needed for the Festival, or to give something to the poor.
John 13:30 (show verse)
After taking the piece of bread, Judas went out immediately; and it was night.
John 13:31 (show verse)
When Judas had gone out, Jesus said: "Now the Son of Man has been exalted, and God has been exalted through him;
John 13:32 (show verse)
And God will exalt him with himself--yes, he will exalt him forthwith.
John 13:33 (show verse)
My children, I am to be with you but a little while longer. You will look for me; and what I said to the Jews--'You cannot come where I am going'--I now say to you.
John 13:34 (show verse)
I give you a new commandment--Love one another; love one another as I have loved you.
John 13:35 (show verse)
It is by this that every one will recognize you as my disciples--by your loving one another."
John 13:36 (show verse)
"Where are you going, Master?" asked Peter. "I am going where you cannot now follow me," answered Jesus, "but you shall follow me later."
John 13:37 (show verse)
"Why cannot I follow you now, Master?" asked Peter. "I will lay down my life for you."
John 13:38 (show verse)
"Will you lay down your life for me?" replied Jesus. "In truth I tell you, the cock will not crow till you have disowned me three times.