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Matthew Henry

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 13:14

If I then your Lord and Master ,.... Christ argues from these titles and characters, which his disciples rightly gave him, and from what he had done to them, though he stood in such a superior relation to them, to their duty one towards another; that since, says he, I have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet : by which he does not mean barely, that they should perform this single action; but as this was an instance of humility and condescension, and doing a good... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 13:14

Ye also ought to wash one another feet - That is, ye should be ready, after my example, to condescend to all the weakness of your brethren; to be willing to do the meanest offices for them, and to prefer the least of them in honor to yourselves. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 13:14

Verse 14 14.If then I, who am your Lord and Master. This is an argument from the greater to the less. Pride hinders us from maintaining that equality which ought to exist amongst us. But Christ, who is far exalted above all others, stoops down, that he may make the proud men ashamed, who, forgetting their station and rank, look upon themselves as not bound to hold intercourse with the brethren. For what does a mortal man imagine himself to be, when he refuses to bear the burdens of brethren, to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:1-38

A. The inner glorification of the Christ in the presence of those who received and believed on him . *** The Loges incarnate as life, light, love, and sacrifice, lavishing all his grace upon his own (Jn 13-17.). B. The outer glorification of the Christ in his Passion and resurrection . *** The fully manifested love laying down life that he might take it again, and lift these disciples into vital union with the risen life (Jn 18-21.). A. THE INNER GLORIFICATION OF ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:12-17

The Lord gives other practical instructions based on his own humble self-obliterating discharge of a duty which it was obvious that, in their desire to be great, they had one and all abstained from doing even for their Lord. Out of it he draws the great lesson of mutual love and brotherly regard. read more

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