John 13:1-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 13:7

Jesus answered and said unto him ,.... Christ replies, what I do, thou knowest not now : Peter knew that he was about to wash his feet, and the rest of his disciples, but he did not know the meaning and mystery of it, what Christ designed by it, and what instruction they were to receive from it, but thou shalt know hereafter ; as he did, when he had performed this service, and explained it to him. This may teach us, under dark providences, the meaning of which is not yet known by us,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 13:8

Peter saith unto him, thou shall never wash my feet ,.... Before he had behaved with modesty, but now with obstinacy and perverseness; and though these expressions might arise from great reverence to Christ, yet they were wrong and rashly spoken. Peter ought to have been satisfied with Christ's reply, and have submitted, since though he then did not know the reason of such surprising conduct, he should hereafter. In order therefore to bring him to a compliance, Jesus answered him, if I... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 13:9

Simon Peter saith unto him ,.... Being convinced of his mistake in not submitting to Christ, fearing he should he deprived of communion with him, than which nothing was more desirable to him, or more highly esteemed of by him, says, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head ; which shows the sense he had of the general pollution of his nature, and the need he stood in particularly of having his feet, hands, and head washed both as a minister, and a believer. By his "feet" may... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 13:10

Jesus saith to him, he that is washed ,.... Not he that is baptized; for every such person is not wholly clean, but he who is regenerated by the Spirit of God, or rather, who is washed in the blood of Christ: such an one "is clean every whit"; is all over clean; not that he has no sin in him, nor commits any; but as he is washed in the blood of Christ, and justified by his righteousness, he is wholly and entirely clean in the sight of God; for he is justified from all things he could not be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 13:11

For he knew who should betray him ,.... That is, Jesus, as Beza's ancient copy, and the Syriac and Persic versions read. This he knew from the beginning; not only from the beginning of his ministry, when he chose his twelve apostles, but from the beginning of time, yea, from everlasting; this being fixed by the determinate counsel of God, which he, as the omniscient God, was privy to: he knew what preparations were making, and how things were then working, in order to bring it about; he knew... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 13:1

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew, etc. - Or, as some translate, Now Jesus having known, before the feast of the passover, that his hour was come, etc. The supper mentioned in John 13:2 ; is supposed to have been that on the Thursday evening, when the feast of the passover began; and though, in our common translation, this passage seems to place the supper before that feast, yet, according to the amended translation, what is here said is consistent with what we read in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 13:2

And supper being ended - Rather, δειπνου γενομενου , while supper was preparing. To support this new translation of the words, it may be remarked that, from John 13:26 , John 13:30 , it appears that the supper was not then ended: nay, it is probable that it was not then begun; because the washing of feet ( John 13:5 ;) was usually practised by the Jews before they entered upon their meals, as may be gathered from Luke 7:44 , and from the reason of the custom. I think that John... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 13:3

Knowing that the Father had given, etc. - Our Lord, seeing himself almost at the end of his race, and being about to leave his apostles, thought it necessary to leave them a lesson of humility exemplified by himself, to deliver them from the bad influence of those false ideas which they formed concerning the nature of his kingdom. On all occasions previously to this, the disciples had shown too much attachment to worldly honors and dignities: if this ambition had not been removed, the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 13:4

He riseth from supper - Not from eating, as Bishop Pearce has well observed, but from his place at table; probably the dishes were not as yet laid down, though the guests were seated. According to the custom of the Jews and other Asiatics, this washing must have taken place before the supper. See on John 13:2 ; (note). Laid aside his garments - That is, his gown or upper coat, with the girdle wherewith it was girded close to his tunic or under coat; and, instead of this girdle, he tied... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 13:5

Poureth water into a bason, etc. - This was the office of the meanest slaves. When David sent to Abigail, to inform her that he had chosen her for wife, she arose and said: Behold, let thy handmaid be a Servant, to Wash the Feet of the Servants of my lord, 1 Samuel 25:41 . Some of the ancients have supposed that our Lord began with washing the feet of Judas, to inspire him with sentiments of compunction and remorse, to melt him down with kindness, and to show all his disciples how they... read more

Group of Brands