Yochanan 13:9

9 Shimon Kefa says to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, Adoni, then not my feet only but also my hands and my head.

Yochanan 13:9 Meaning and Commentary

John 13:9

Simon Peter saith unto him
Being convinced of his mistake in not submitting to Christ, fearing he should he deprived of communion with him, than which nothing was more desirable to him, or more highly esteemed of by him, says,

Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head;
which shows the sense he had of the general pollution of his nature, and the need he stood in particularly of having his feet, hands, and head washed both as a minister, and a believer. By his "feet" may be meant, either the grace of faith, which is the foot of the soul, by which it goes to Christ, and walks on in him, and was not without its imperfections; or the affections of the mind, which are that to the soul, as feet are to the body; and when they move right, move heavenward, Godward, and Christward; but sometimes they are inordinate, and cleave to the things of this world: or the outward life and conversation is meant, which is attended with daily infirmities; and each of these need washing in the blood of Christ. His "hands" may design all his actions, works, services, duties, and performances, the hand being the instrument of action; and not only the hands of wicked men, but even of saints, need washing, their best righteousnesses being as filthy rags. By his "head" may be meant doctrines and principles imbibed in the mind, and expressed by the lips, which were not free from mistake and pollution, and needed purging and cleansing; for the disciples were not as yet clear from the prejudices of the Jewish nation, especially relating to the nature of the Messiah's kingdom.

Yochanan 13:9 In-Context

7 In reply, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach says to him, Of what I am doing you do not have da’as now, but you will receive binah after these things.

8 Kefa says to him, Never will you wash my feet l’Olam! Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach answered him, Unless I wash you, you do not have a chelek [alloted portion of inheritance] with me. [DEVARIM 12:12; YESHAYAH 53:10; VAYIKRA 5:15-16]

9 Shimon Kefa says to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, Adoni, then not my feet only but also my hands and my head.

10 Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach says to him, The one having been bathed does not have need except his feet to wash, but is wholly tahor, and you are tehorim, though not all.

11 For Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach had da’as of the one betraying him. Therefore, he said, Not all are tehorim.