John 13:10-11 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:4-11

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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:10

Jesus saith to him . Christ's answer here undoubtedly shows that he is speaking of something far more important than the foot-washing. He goes back to the spiritual meaning which Peter attributed to his words. He that has been bathed ( λελουμένος ) is indeed washed from head to foot, hath no further need than to wash his feet , £ but is altogether clean. By personal communion with the Lord and belief in him, by the word which he had spoken to his disciples, they were ( καθαροί... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:11

For he knew who was betraying him; therefore he said, Ye are not all clean. That Christ should have been ignorant of the devices of Judas, or of his true character, is repeatedly denied by all the evangelists. John certainly calls attention to the Lord's knowledge of the secret of Judas, and justifies thus his Divine prerogative. That Strauss, Hilgenfeld, and others should see here an innuendo against Peter, and the charge against Peter of advocating a kind of Ebionitie daily ablution of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 13:10

He that is washed - This is a difficult passage, and interpreters have been divided about its meaning. Some have supposed that it was customary to bathe before eating the paschal supper, and that the apostles did it; Jesus having said, “he that hath bathed his body is clean except in regard to his feet - to the dirt contracted in returning from the bath, and that there was need only that the feet should be washed in order to prepare them properly to receive the supper.” They suppose, also, that... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 13:11

Who should betray him - Greek: “He knew him who was about to betray him.” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 13:7-11

John 13:7-11. Jesus said, What I do thou knowest not now Thou dost not now know what I intend by this action, but thou shalt know hereafter, a declaration which we may apply on many occasions, for many of his works (whether of creation, providence, or grace) are now great mysteries to us, and known to us, either not at all, or very imperfectly. It is sufficient that we can love and obey now, and that we shall know hereafter what now appears mysterious to us, and what we cannot comprehend. ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 13:1-20

140. Washing the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-20)When they gathered for the meal that night, Jesus took the place of a servant and washed the disciples’ feet. By this action he symbolized firstly, the need for humility, and secondly, that he, the perfect servant, would cleanse people from sin through his death (John 13:1-5). Peter, not understanding this symbolic action, objected. Jesus responded that if he refused to let Jesus cleanse him, he could not be Jesus’ disciple. By this cleansing,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 13:10

washed = bathed. Greek. louo. App-186 . Note the distinction between washing the whole body, and washing only a part of it. Compare 1 Corinthians 6:11 . clean . Greek. katharos. Occurs twenty-seven times, translated ten times "clean", sixteen "pure", and once "clear "(Revelation 21:18 ) = free from impurity or dross. Used here of the eleven (Compare John 15:8 ), but not of Judas into whose heart Satan had "cast "the impure thought of John 13:2 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 13:11

should betray Him = the one who is betraying Him. therefore = on account of (Greek. dia. App-104 .) read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 13:10

Jesus saith unto him, He that is bathed needeth not save to wash his feet: and ye are clean, but not all.It is not necessary to construe the first part of this reply of Jesus as something mysterious and deep beyond human comprehension. It meant, "Only your feet need washing." It is only at the end of this verse that Jesus left off speaking of physical things, the final clause being intended spiritually. read more