John 13:7

7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou dost not understand now, but thou shalt understand afterwards.

John 13:7 Meaning and Commentary

John 13:7

Jesus answered and said unto him
Christ replies,

what I do, thou knowest not now:
Peter knew that he was about to wash his feet, and the rest of his disciples, but he did not know the meaning and mystery of it, what Christ designed by it, and what instruction they were to receive from it,

but thou shalt know hereafter;
as he did, when he had performed this service, and explained it to him. This may teach us, under dark providences, the meaning of which is not yet known by us, to wait the Lord's own time, to make things clear and plain to us, and in the mean time patiently submit to the divine will.

John 13:7 In-Context

5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.

6 Then he came to Simon Peter, and Peter said unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou dost not understand now, but thou shalt understand afterwards.

8 Peter said unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with me.

9 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.