John 13:1-22

1 It was now the day before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. He had always loved those in the world who were his own, and he loved them to the very end.

2 Jesus and his disciples were at supper. The Devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, the thought of betraying Jesus.

3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him complete power; he knew that he had come from God and was going to God.

4 So he rose from the table, took off his outer garment, and tied a towel around his waist.

5 Then he poured some water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Are you going to wash my feet, Lord?"

7 Jesus answered him, "You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later."

8 Peter declared, "Never at any time will you wash my feet!" "If I do not wash your feet," Jesus answered, "you will no longer be my disciple."

9 Simon Peter answered, "Lord, do not wash only my feet, then! Wash my hands and head, too!"

10 Jesus said, "Those who have taken a bath are completely clean and do not have to wash themselves, except for their feet. All of you are clean - all except one.

11 (Jesus already knew who was going to betray him; that is why he said, "All of you, except one, are clean.")

12 After Jesus had washed their feet, he put his outer garment back on and returned to his place at the table. "Do you understand what I have just done to you?" he asked. ¹

13 "You call me Teacher and Lord, and it is right that you do so, because that is what I am.

14 I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another's feet.

15 I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you.

16 I am telling you the truth: no slaves are greater than their master, and no messengers are greater than the one who sent them. ²

17 Now that you know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice!

18 "I am not talking about all of you; I know those I have chosen. But the scripture must come true that says, "The man who shared my food turned against me.' ³

19 I tell you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe that "I Am Who I Am.'

20 I am telling you the truth: whoever receives anyone I send receives me also; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me." ⁴

21 After Jesus had said this, he was deeply troubled and declared openly, "I am telling you the truth: one of you is going to betray me."

22 The disciples looked at one another, completely puzzled about whom he meant.

Cross References

• 1. 13.12-15Luke 22.27.
• 2. 13.16Matthew 10.24;Luke 6.40;John 15.20.
• 3. 13.18Psalms 41.9.
• 4. 13.20Matthew 10.40;Mark 9.37;Luke 9.48; 10.16.

Footnotes

• [a]. The Devil . . . betraying Jesus; [or] The Devil had already decided that Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, would betray Jesus.
• [b]. [Some manuscripts do not have] except for their feet.