The Pulpit Commentary on John 13:4-11

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The washing of the disciples' feet.

This affecting incident occurred immediately after the controversy among the 'disciples as to which of them should be accounted greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Luke 22:1-71.).

I. JESUS TAKES THE FORM OF A SERVANT. He washed the feet of his disciples, though it had been more their place to wash the feet of their Master.

1. His humility led him to stoop to the most menial offices in the day of his humiliation.

2. He has thus consecrated the most menial duties and offices of life for us, that we should not in our pride decline to discharge them.

3. His example does not bind us to do his very act—for the custom was Oriental in its origin and meaning—but to carry the spirit of his act into all our relations with brethren.

II. PETER'S REFUSAL TO ACCEPT THE OFFERED SERVICE. "Lord, dost thou wash my feet?" The question originates:

1. In the apostle's humility and reverence, for he feels that it is an inversion of all proper relations for Jesus to do this service to his disciples. He felt himself unworthy of our Lord and of his love.

2. In the apostle's ignorance. He does not understand the symbolic meaning of the act. Therefore our Lord says, "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." These words imply

III. SEPARATION FROM CHRIST IS INVOLVED IN THE WANT OF SURRENDER TO RIM. "Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me."

1. There was a spirit of self-will in the apostle's words. "Thou shalt not wash my feet." Our Lord's words reprove Pear's opinionativeness.

2. The first condition of true discipleship is self-surrender. The apostle is too impulsive to await the further knowledge in store for him.

3. Yet observe his sudden apprehension of our Lord's true meaning. " Lord, not my feet only, but my hands and my head." The revulsion of feeling is very characteristic of the apostle. He will not hold back any part of himself from a share in Divine blessing, nor decline to be identified with his Lord to the fullest extent.

4. Our Lord's interpretation of his meaning. "He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit."

5. Our Lord's insight into Judas. "And ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean."

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