John 13

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

1Before the Passover festival, Jesus knew 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 end. 2During supper, the devil had already put into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to hand Jesus over. 3Jesus knew the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going to God. 4So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel tied around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered, “You do not understand what I am doing now, but afterward you will understand.” 8Peter said, “You will certainly never wash my feet!” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and head!” 10Jesus said, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash except the feet but is completely clean. And you are clean—but not all of you.” 11For he knew who was handing him over. This is why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

An Example of Service

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

The Betrayer Identified

18“I am not speaking about all of you. I know those I have chosen. But Scripture must be fulfilled: ‘The one eating my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19I tell you now before it happens so that when it happens, you may trust that I am. 20Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever receives anyone I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” 21After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will hand me over.” 22The disciples looked at one another, uncertain about whom he was speaking. 23One of his disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining close beside Jesus. 24Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus whom he meant. 25Leaning back against Jesus, he asked, “Lord, who is it?” 26Jesus answered, “It is the one for whom I dip the piece of bread and give it to him.” He dipped the piece and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. 27After Judas took the piece, Satan entered him. Jesus said to him, “What you are doing, do quickly.” 28No one reclining at the table knew why Jesus said this to him. 29Because Judas kept the moneybag, some thought Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30After receiving the piece of bread, 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 immediately. 33Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jewish leaders, ‘Where I am going you cannot come,’ now I also tell you. 34I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples: if you have love for one another.”

Peter’s Denial Foretold

36Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.” 37Peter said, “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 certainly not crow until you have denied me three times.”