John 13:1-29

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 13:3

Jesus knowing that the Father ,.... These words express the sense Christ had of his own greatness and dignity as Mediator: had given all things into his hands ; all the persons of the elect, all blessings both of grace and glory for them, and power and authority over all other persons and things, to make them subservient to his purposes: and that he was come from God ; had his mission and commission, as man, from God; did not come of himself, but he sent him: and went to God ; or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 13:4

He riseth from supper ,.... In the midst of the entertainment, and which no doubt was considerable, his mind being intent on something else; and it being his meat and drink to do his Father's will, he rises and leaves his disciples sitting to finish their meal; and whilst they were murmuring at the waste of the ointment poured on his head, and were filled with indignation at it, as they all of them were, see Matthew 26:8 ; he rises up to wash their feet; amazing patience and humility! ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 13:5

After that be poureth water into a bason ,.... This also was a servile work, and what properly belonged to servants to do; see John 2:5 . The bason to wash the feet in, called by the Jews רגלים עריבת , was fixed by their doctors to hold, "from two logs to nine kabs" F20 Misn. Yadaim, c. 4. sect. 1. Vid. Misn. Celim, c. 20. sect. 2. ; not "from two logs to ten", as Dr. Lightfoot has rendered the passage referred to. A "kab" held about a quart of our measure, and a "log" was the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 13:6

Then cometh he to Simon Peter ,.... After having washed the feet of some of the disciples, as is thought by some interpreters, and particularly the feet of Judas, without any repulse; though others are of opinion that he began with Peter, who modestly, and out of reverence to him, refuses to be washed by him: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet ! he speaks as one surprised and astonished that Christ should offer to do any such thing to him; that he, who was the Son of... read more

John Gill

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 13:12

So after he had washed their feet ,.... Not Peter's only, but the rest of the disciples also: some have thought, that he washed only the feet of some of them, and not all; but it seems, by this expression, that he performed this service to each of them: and when he had gone through it with everyone of them: and had taken his garments , and put them on, and was sat down again ; at the table with his disciples, supper not being yet ended; when having done his work as a servant, he... read more

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