John 13:1-3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 13:1-17

It has generally been taken for granted by commentators that Christ's washing his disciples? feet, and the discourse that followed it, were the same night in which he was betrayed, and at the same sitting wherein he ate the passover and instituted the Lord's supper; but whether before the solemnity began, or after it was all over, or between the eating of the passover and the institution of the Lord's supper, they are not agreed. This evangelist, making it his business to gather up those... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 13:1-17

13:1-17 Before the Festival of the Passover, Jesus, in the knowledge that his hour had come to leave this world and to go to the Father, although he had always loved his own people in the world, decided to show them what his love was like in a way which went to the ultimate limit. The meal was in progress; and the devil had already put it into his heart that Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, should betray him. Well knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 13:1-17

There is more in the background of this passage than even John tells us. If we turn to Luke's account of the last meal together, we find the tragic sentence: "A dispute also arose among them, which of them was to be regarded as greatest" ( Luke 22:24 ). Even within sight of the Cross, the disciples were still arguing about matters of precedence and prestige. It may well be that this very argument produced the situation which made Jesus act as he did. The roads of Palestine were unsurfaced... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 13:1-17

We have already seen that in John we have always to be looking for two meanings, the meaning which lies on the surface and the meaning which is beneath the surface. In this story there is undoubtedly a second meaning. On the surface it is a dramatic and unforgettable lesson in humility. But there is more to it than that. There is one very difficult passage. At first Peter refuses to allow Jesus to wash his feet. Jesus tells him that unless he accepts this washing, he will have no part with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 13:1

Now before the feast of the passover ,.... This feast was instituted as a memorial of the deliverance of the children of Israel out of Egypt, and was an eminent type of Christ; and this passover was what Christ had greatly desired, it being his last, and when he was to express his great love to his people, mentioned here, by dying for them. It was two days before this feast, so the Persic version reads this text, at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, that the things recorded in this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 13:2

And supper being ended ,.... Or rather "supper being", or it "being supper time", for it was not ended; not the paschal supper, nor the Lord's supper, but the supper in Simon's house at Bethany, two days before the passover. There is no mention made in this whole chapter of the passover supper, or of any of its rites: the washing of the disciples' feet was a peculiar action of our Lord's, and had no manner of regard to any usage among the Jews at such a time; nor was it ever usual with them,... read more

John Gill

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

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 13:1-17

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 13:1-17

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 13:1-17

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 13:1-17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 13:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 13:2

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

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

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

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

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