John 13

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

1Before the Passover festival, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the very end. 2During supper, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God. 4So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer garments, and tied a towel around himself. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel tied around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered him, “You do not understand now what I am doing, but afterward you will understand.” 8Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, then not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!” 10Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean—but not all of you.” 11For he knew who would betray him. That is why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

An Example of Service

12After he had washed their feet, put on his garments, and reclined at the table again, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done for you? 13You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, because 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 should do just as I have done for you. 16Truly, truly, I tell you: a slave is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.