John 13

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

1Now before the Passover festival, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2And during supper—when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him— 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4rose from supper, laid aside his outer garments, and took a towel and tied it around himself. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.

6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean—though not all of you.” 11For Jesus knew who was going to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have given you an example, so that you also should do as I have done to you. 16Truly, truly, I tell you: a slave is not greater than their master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent them. 17If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.

18I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19I am telling you this now, before it happens, so that when it happens you may trust that I am he. 20Truly, truly, I tell you: whoever receives the one I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Jesus Foretells Betrayal

21After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in spirit, and he testified, “Truly, truly, I tell you: one of you will betray me.” 22The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. 23One of his disciples—the one Jesus loved—was reclining close to Jesus. 24Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus whom he was speaking about. 25So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this morsel of bread after I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. 27Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are doing, do quickly.” 28Now no one at the table knew why Jesus said this to him. 29Some thought that because Judas had the money bag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30So after receiving the morsel, Judas immediately went out. And it was night.

The New Commandment

31When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and will glorify him at once. 33Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Judeans, ‘Where I am going you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34I give you a new commandment: that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial

36Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I tell you: the rooster will not crow until you have denied me three times.”