1
It was just before the Passover Feast.1 Jesus knew that the time had come2 for him to leave this world and go to the Father.3 Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.a2
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.43
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power,5 and that he had come from God6 and was returning to God;
4
so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.75
After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet,8 drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7
Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."98
"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."9
"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
10
Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean,10 though not every one of you."1111
For he knew who was going to betray him,12 and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.
13"You call me 'Teacher'13 and 'Lord,'14 and rightly so, for that is what I am.14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.1515I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.1616I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master,17 nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.18
18"I am not referring to all of you;19 I know those I have chosen.20 But this is to fulfill the scripture:21 'He who shares my bread22 has lifted up his heel23 against me.'b2419"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe25 that I am He.2620I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."2721
After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit28 and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."2922
His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.
23
One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved,30 was reclining next to him.
24
Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."
25
Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"3126
Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot,32 son of Simon.
27
As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.33"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him,
28
but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.
29
Since Judas had charge of the money,34 some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast,35 or to give something to the poor.3630
As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.37
31
When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man38 glorified39 and God is glorified in him.4032If God is glorified in him,c God will glorify the Son in himself,41 and will glorify him at once.33"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.4234"A new command43 I give you: Love one another.44 As I have loved you, so you must love one another.4535By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."4636
Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?"47 Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now,48 but you will follow later."4937
Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."
38
Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!50
To receive email newsletters, updates, and special offers from BibleStudyTools, select your newsletter(s), enter your email address and hit "Subscribe".