John 13:3 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:3

£ Knowing —a significant hint of the complex wonder of the Lord's Person. John felt at this moment that the consciousness of Jesus was receding into the eternal self-consciousness of the Logos when he thus ventures to speak— that the Father —in the great act of his generation— gave £ all things into his hands, and that he came forth ( ἀπὸ ) from God, and was going back ( or, away ) to God, in the glory of his incarnation and the mystery of his death and resurrection. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:3

Christ's consciousness of his mission. The occasion upon which our Savior is said by his friend and apostle John to have had a vivid consciousness of hi§ mission is deserving of attention. It was just before his Passion, in the upper room where he was about, by act and language, to inculcate great lessons upon his disciples, and whence he was to take his way to Gethsemane and Calvary. In such circumstances the confidence of a human leader might well have wavered, and his purposes might... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:3-5

A last act of love. It must not be supposed that the act of Jesus here was a purely symbolic act, an act useless in itself. Probably Jesus and his disciples had been walking about most of the day, and the washing of the feet would be very grateful to tired and sandaled wayfarers. Jesus was rendering a real service, however slight a one. Before they went out of the room, Jesus had to have much very earnest talk with them, and it was just as well for them to be comfortable while they were... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 13:3

Jesus knowing ... - With the full understanding of his dignity and elevation of character, he yet condescended to wash their feet. The evangelist introduces his washing their feet by saying that he was fully conscious of his elevation above them, as being intrusted with all things, and this made his humiliation the more striking and remarkable. Had he been a mere human teacher or a prophet, it would have been remarkable; but when we remember the dignity of his nature, it shows how low he would... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 13:3-6

John 13:3-6. Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, &c. That is, although he was conscious of his own greatness, as being invested with the government of all things, and as having existed in heaven before he appeared on earth, and as being sure of returning to heaven again to reign there; yet he humbled himself in the manner here related, descended to the mean office of a slave, and washed the feet of his own disciples; an... 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 13:3

had given . &c. These statements of His divine origin, authority, and coming glory, are made so as to enhance the amazing condescension of the service to which He humbled Himself to do the office of a bond-slave. come = come forth. Compare John 8:42 ; John 16:30 ; John 17:8 . from . Greek apo. App-104 . God. App-98 . went = is going away. to = unto. Greek. pros. As in John 13:1 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 13:3

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto God, riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments; and he took a towel and girded himself.All things into his hands ... The Lord was about to give an object lesson in humility, but it was given in full consciousness of his power and Godhead. John was more perceptive in his association of the Godhead of Jesus with the darkest hours of the Lord's humiliation. Matthew mentioned... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 13:3

John 13:3. Jesus, knowing, &c.— This circumstance is premised, to set the humility of Christ in the most conspicuous light: and what could have contributed more to this purpose, than to consider that Jesus, though of such transcendent dignity as to be invested with the government of all things, as having existed in heavenfrom all eternity, and as sure of being in heaven to all eternity, to reign there in his glorified humanity; yet descends to the mean office of a slave, and washes the feet... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 13:3

3. Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, &c.—This verse is very sublime, and as a preface to what follows, were we not familiar with it, would fill us with inexpressible surprise. An unclouded perception of His relation to the Father, the commission He held from Him, and His approaching return to Him, possessed His soul. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:3

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:3

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:3-5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 13:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 13:3-6

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 13:1-20

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 13:3

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 13:3

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 13:3

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 13:3

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