John 13:14

14 So if I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you must wash each other'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 After Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothes, he took his place at the table again. Then he asked his disciples, "Do you understand what I've done for you?

13 You call me teacher and Lord, and you're right because that's what I am.

14 So if I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you must wash each other's feet.

15 I've given you an example that you should follow.

16 I can guarantee this truth: Slaves are not superior to their owners, and messengers are not superior to the people who send them.