John 13:13

13 Ye call me master and Lord, and ye say well; for I am.

John 13:13 Meaning and Commentary

John 13:13

Ye call me Master and Lord
(ybr) , and (rm) , "Master" and "Lord", were dignified titles among the Jews, which they frequently ^F25 gave to their doctors and men of learning, and are often to be met with in their writings: hence the disciples called Christ by these names, not out of flattery, but reverence of him, and esteem for him; nor are they blamed, but commended for it:

and ye say well, for so I am;
though he had acted the part of a servant in such a surprising manner, by washing their feet; yet he had not dropped and lost, but still maintains his place and authority as a "Master" to teach and instruct them, and as a "Lord" to rule and govern them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 Vid. T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 3. 1. Derech Erets, c. 6. fol. 18. 2.

John 13:13 In-Context

11 For he knew, who it was that should betray him [Forsooth he knew, who should betray him]; therefore he said, Ye be not all clean.

12 And so after that he had washed their feet, he took his clothes; and when he was set to meat again, again he said to them, Ye know what I have done to you. [Therefore after that he had washed the feet of them, he took his clothes; and when he had rested again, again he said to them, Know ye what I have done to you(?)]

13 Ye call me master and Lord, and ye say well; for I am.

14 Therefore if I, Lord and master, have washed your feet, and ye shall wash one another's feet [and ye owe to wash another the tother's feet];

15 for I have given to you ensample, that as I have done to you, so do ye. [for I have given example to you, that as I have done to you, so and ye do.]