John 13:12

The Meaning of Footwashing

12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His robe, He reclined[a] again and said to them, "Do you know what I have done for you?

John 13:12 Meaning and Commentary

John 13:12

So after he had washed their feet
Not Peter's only, but the rest of the disciples also: some have thought, that he washed only the feet of some of them, and not all; but it seems, by this expression, that he performed this service to each of them: and when he had gone through it with everyone of them:

and had taken his garments,
and put them on,

and was sat down again;
at the table with his disciples, supper not being yet ended; when having done his work as a servant, he reassumes the air and authority of Lord and master, and begins to teach and instruct, into the design and use of what he had been doing, which he introduces by putting this question;

he said unto them, know ye what I have done to you?
They knew the outward action he had done to them, that he had washed their feet; but, as yet, they did not know the mystery of it, Christ's design in it, and what he would have them learn from it.

John 13:12 In-Context

10 "One who has bathed," Jesus told him, "doesn't need to wash anything except his feet, but he is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you."
11 For He knew who would betray Him. This is why He said, "You are not all clean."
12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His robe, He reclined again and said to them, "Do you know what I have done for you?
13 You call Me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for I am.
14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. At important meals the custom was to recline on a mat at a low table and lean on the left elbow.
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