THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 13
The Lord’s Supper, Jesus Washes the Disciple’s feet, Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
There is no coincidence in the timing of these events taking place just before the Feast of the Passover – a significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites’ deliverance from Egyptian slavery, as described in Exodus 12. This event is central to Jewish identity and religious practice, involving the sacrifice of a lamb and the eating of unleavened bread. This highlights the connection between Jesus as the Lamb of God and the sacrificial lamb of Passover. The setting underscores the impending sacrifice of Jesus, aligning with the prophetic symbolism of the Passover lamb.
It is sad to say, but as twenty-first century believers, having read and heard the words of this chapter preached so often that we can lose our amazement and wonder that the One Who is calling Himself the Messiah, the Christ, having performed so many miracles and having fulfilled so many of the Messianic prophesies to this point, is now explaining that He is set to step out of this natural realm, and into the wonders and powers of the Kingdom of Heaven and to be seated at the Right Hand of the Father! Put another way, if Jesus time and activities on this earth were not enough to convince even the hardest of hearts, He will now do something that has never even entered the mind of any person. He is saying that He will be crucified and die for the sins of this world; be buried and lie in the grave for three days; He will come back to life and, once again, walk among the living and then will rise from the earth, into the heavens in the sight of many. (see Acts 1:1-5, 9-11).
Let’s read, meditate, pray and be amazed once again!
The Lord’s Supper
John 13:1, Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that His hour had come that He would depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
(Commentary Break): The final sacrifice for sins is now forecast by the Sacrificial Lamb Himself. Imagine, if you can, that Jesus knows that He is going to suffer crucifixion as a man and that all the sins of the entire world will be put on him; as God, that He will ascend from and transcend this natural world and return to a reality not made or created but on which is eternally pre-existent, the Kingdom of Heaven; and that He will be seated at the Right Hand of God the Father, interceding for us until He brings us to the home He has prepared for us.
Secondly, the phrase “having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end” should give us pause. This is the same love that He commanded us to show our Christian brothers and sisters, and I would hope it would provoke us to spend time in prayer and study at how Jesus interacted with and treated His disciples. We may then stop being confused by the world’s definition of “love” will then come to know what true love looks like – a balance between an unconditional selfless, and sacrificial love. (agape), and a love that is met with loving reverential obedience (see John 14;15). (End Commentary Break).
Verse 2. And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, verse 3, Jesus, knowing that the Father had handed all things over to Him, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, verse 4, got up from supper and laid His outer garments aside; and He took a towel and tied it around Himself.
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
Verse 5. Then He poured water into the basin, and began washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel which He had tied around Himself. Verse 6. So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, You are washing my feet?” Verse 7. Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not realize right now, but you will understand later.” Verse 8. Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no place with Me.” Verse 9. Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!” Verse 10. Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet; otherwise he is completely clean. And you are clean — but not all of you.” Verse 11. For He knew the one who was betraying Him; it was for this reason that He said, “Not all of you are clean.”
Verse 12. Then, when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? Verse 13. You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’; and you are correct, for so I am. Verse 14. So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. Verse 15. For I gave you an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you. Verse 16. Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. Verse 17. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
(Commentary Break): The washing of feet in the postmodern church is widely misunderstood and misrepresented – and is often used as a means of manipulation.
Biblically, it symbolizes purification and the need for spiritual cleansing, pointing to the greater cleansing that Jesus would accomplish through His death and resurrection. This act also prefigures the humility and sacrifice that Jesus would demonstrate on the cross. Peter’s reaction is a reminder of the human tendency to resist divine plans that challenge our expectations.
Jesus, the Master and Teacher, models humility by performing a servant’s task. As followers of Christ, we are called to lead by serving others, regardless of our position.
Peter’s initial resistance to Jesus washing his feet reflects a common struggle to understand God’s ways. We must trust in Jesus’ actions and teachings, even when they challenge our expectations.
The act of foot washing symbolizes the need for spiritual cleansing. As believers, we must regularly seek forgiveness and purification from sin.
Jesus’ example calls us to embrace servanthood in our daily lives, serving others with love and humility as an expression of our faith.
Peter’s interaction with Jesus teaches us to be open to correction and growth in our spiritual journey, allowing Jesus to transform our understanding and actions. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 18. I am not speaking about all of you. I know the ones whom I have chosen; but this is happening so that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.’ Verse 19. From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may believe that I am He. Verse 20. Truly, truly I say to you, the one who receives anyone I send, receives Me; and the one who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”
(Commentary Break): Here, Jesus asserts His divine knowledge and authority in choosing His disciples. This choice is not merely about selection for ministry but also encompasses the foreknowledge of their actions and destinies. Theologically, this reflects the doctrine of divine election, where God’s choices are purposeful and sovereign. It also reassures the faithful disciples of their secure place in His plan.
This is a direct reference to Psalm 41:9, where David laments betrayal by a close friend. In the cultural context, sharing bread was a sign of fellowship and trust, making the act of betrayal even more poignant. The phrase “lifted up his heel” suggests an act of treachery and hostility. By applying this scripture to Judas, Jesus identifies Himself with the suffering servant motif and foreshadows His impending betrayal, linking His experience to the broader narrative of redemptive history.
We should be mindful that receiving Jesus’ messengers is equated with receiving Jesus Himself. This reflects the intimate connection between Christ and His followers, as well as the unity of the body of Christ. It underscores the idea that the acceptance of the gospel message is tantamount to accepting Christ personally, a theme echoed in Matthew 10:40.
This reinforces the personal relationship between the believer and Jesus. It suggests that faith in Christ is not merely an intellectual assent but involves a personal acceptance and relationship. This is consistent with the emphasis on abiding in Christ (see John 15:4-5). This also emphasizes and establishes the direct link between the acceptance of Jesus and the acceptance of God, highlighting the unity of the Father and the Son and those whom He has called. This connection is central to understanding the nature of Jesus’ ministry and the divine plan of salvation. (End Commentary Break).
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
Verse 21. When Jesus had said these things, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.”
(Commentary Break): It is interesting that although Jesus is fully aware of the coming events, “He became troubled in spirit” as he testified “Truly, truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” The phrase indicates Jesus’ deep emotional distress. This mirrors other moments in the Gospels where Jesus experiences human emotions, such as in the Garden of Gethsemane. Whether His distress emanates from disappointment of betrayal by a trusted disciple, or from the coming suffering and death He will face, it highlights His dual nature as fully God and fully man. The Greek word used here, “tarassō,” conveys a sense of agitation and turmoil, emphasizing the weight of the impending betrayal. A similar distress is often felt by those serving God and even for the same or similar events, but we can take some measure of comfort by rejecting the shame of failure see that our Lord has walked this path before us. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 22. The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. Verse 23. Lying back on Jesus’ chest was one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Verse 24. So Simon Peter nodded to this disciple and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.” Verse 25. He then simply leaned back on Jesus’ chest and said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” Verse 26. Jesus then answered, “That man is the one for whom I shall dip the piece of bread and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the piece of bread, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Verse 27. After this, Satan then entered him. Therefore Jesus said to him, “What you are doing, do it quickly.” Verse 28. Now none of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. Verse 29. For some were assuming, since Judas kept the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we need for the feast”; or else, that he was to give something to the poor. Verse 30. So after receiving the piece of bread, he left immediately; and it was night.
(Commentary Break): These verses speak for themselves. They are reminiscent of a modern mystery novel, but this is no novel and it certainly is not fiction. It does tell us however, that even some of those who are seen as walking with Jesus, spending their time with His disciples, may not be one of His. In these Last Days, we are told that there will be a rise of false teachers and false prophets, an increase in deception and great apostasy. We may not always be able to tell who is a true follower and disciple of Jesus except perhaps by their fruit. Even in cases that require church discipline, we are to approach the matter with caution and great patience. And when uncertain, we are told to keep our eyes and hearts fixed on Jesus, and to leave it to the Lord to sort out the wheat from the tares. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 31. Therefore when he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; verse 32, if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately. Verse 33. Little children, I am still with you a little longer. You will look for Me; and just as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Verse 34. I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Verse 35. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”
(Commentary Break): Again, this requires a good understanding of what true gapáō love means. It is “to prefer, to love; for the believer, preferring to “live through Christ” (1 John 4:9,10), i.e. embracing God’s Will, choosing His choices and obeying them through His power. Agapáō preeminently refers to what God prefers as He “is love” (1 John 4:8,16). (See agapē).
With the believer, agapáō, (to love), means actively doing what the Lord prefers, with Him and by His power and direction). True agapáō, (“loving”), is always defined by God. It is a “discriminating affection which involves choice and selection” (1 John 4:8,16,17), it is Christ living His life through the believer. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 36. Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.” Verse 37. Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.” Verse 38. Jesus replied, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times. (End Chapter 13).
It is as Jesus has said, all true believers and followers of Jesus will follow Him later. We must stay on the alert and be on guard that we do not become complacent or arrogant saying “I will lay my life down for you, Jesus”, for I do not know if my testing may cause me to deny Him at some point. But I do know that if I continue to follow Him, doing the very things He has commanded us to be doing, I will be kept humbled and dependent on Him and in His strength and not dependent on my own ways.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
NEXT: (coming soon), THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 14, Jesus comforts His disciples, One with the Father, The Holy Spirit.
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