John 13:14

14 If I then, your Master and Rabbi, have washed your feet, it is also your duty to wash one another's feet.

John 13:14 Meaning and Commentary

John 13:14

If I then your Lord and Master
Christ argues from these titles and characters, which his disciples rightly gave him, and from what he had done to them, though he stood in such a superior relation to them, to their duty one towards another; that since, says he, I

have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet:
by which he does not mean barely, that they should perform this single action; but as this was an instance of humility and condescension, and doing a good office to strangers and travellers, and was afterwards an expression of love to the saints, see ( 1 Timothy 5:10 ) , so he would teach them hereby, to behave in a spirit of humility and condescension to one another, to do every kind and good office, and by love to serve one another in all things.

John 13:14 In-Context

12 So after He had washed their feet, put on His garments again, and returned to the table, He said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you?

13 You call me `The Rabbi' and `The Master,' and rightly so, for such I am.

14 If I then, your Master and Rabbi, have washed your feet, it is also your duty to wash one another's feet.

15 For I have set you an example in order that you may do what I have done to you.

16 In most solemn truth I tell you that a servant is not superior to his master, nor is a messenger superior to him who sent him.