John 13:14

14 If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should 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 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and sat down again. He asked, "Do you understand what I have just done for you?

13 You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are right, because that is what I am.

14 If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash each other's feet.

15 I did this as an example so that you should do as I have done for you.

16 I tell you the truth, a servant is not greater than his master. A messenger is not greater than the one who sent him.