ST JOHN
CHAPTER 13
Jesus washes the feet of the Twelve—He identifies Judas as his betrayer—He commands them to love one another.
[ The context of v. 1-20 is explained in Luke 22:24-27 where the The apostles argued among themselves which is the most senior, which occurred just minutes before the events of this chapter. ]
1 NOW before the feast of the passover, [ this statement has
caused some commentators, most notably John Lightfoot, to argue
the supper in this chapter is not in fact the Passover Seder but
is the same supper which occurred at Lazarus house (cf. 12:1-9)
because it was “before the feast”. This presumption causes
considerable problems as John places a lengthy series of events
in between the two suppers (cf. 12:8-50) and makes no overt
effort to equate the two suppers. It also ignores the context of
Luke 22:24-27.
A less problematic reading would be that John’s intent is to
say “At the beginning of the feast week of Passover”. The
Passover was a week-long festival, and the Seder meal was the
start of that week. ] when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, [ How sombering it is to have Jesus making the transition, knowing that he has taught them most everything that he can. ] having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; [ In the previous chapter John portrayed Judas as a man filled with greed as he was unhappy with Mary for using so much spiknard when it could have been sold (profit for himself). Here Judas has already made the arrangements for payment to betray Jesus. see also Luke 22:1-6 ]
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, [ All things were given to him at this point meaning that he knew that Judas was going to betray him, that this would set up the final series of events in the life of the Savior. That in doing so the Savior would have the opportunity through his agency to lay down his life, and then to take it up again. But before that could happen Jesus would need to sufferred all things to complete the process. Note who uses their agency - it is Jesus who allows the Savior to exercise his agency in the plan. ] and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. [ He teaches one last object lesson on the principles of leadership as the Master becomes their servant. ]
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and
began to wash the
disciples’ feet, [ When Jesus Washed His
Disciples’ Feet, It Was a Sign of His Love for Them. Washing of feet
is a sacred gospel ordinance. It has been commanded of the Lord in the
present as well as in previous dispensations. “. . . our Lord did two things
in the performance of this ordinance: 1. He fulfilled the old law given to
Moses; and 2. He instituted a sacred ordinance which should be performed by
legal administrators among his true disciples from that day forward. “As part
of the restoration of all things, the ordinance of washing of feet has been
restored in the dispensation of the fulness of times. In keeping with the standard
pattern of revealing principles and practices line upon line and precept upon
precept, the Lord revealed his will concerning the washing of feet little by
little until the full knowledge of the endowment and all temple ordinances
had been given.” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pp. 829–30.) President David O.
McKay saw in the ordinance a great example of service. Speaking to the Church
in the April 1951 general conference on the occasion of his being sustained
by the members as president of the Church, he said: “What an example of service
to those great servants, followers of the Christ! He that is greatest among
you, let him be least. So we sense the obligation to be of greater service
to the membership of the Church, to devote our lives to the advancement of
the kingdom of God on earth.” (CR, Apr. 1951, p. 159.) ] and to
wipe them with
the towel wherewith he was girded.
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; [ What does this mean? ] but thou shalt know hereafter. [ "meta tauta" or after this business is finished ]
8 Peter saith
unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. [ Why
do you think Simon Peter objected when Jesus began to wash his feet? ] Jesus
answered him, If I wash thee
not, thou hast no part with me. [ How
did Jesus respond? What do you think he
was trying to teach Peter? We should all serve
our fellowmen ]
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, [ Jesus is clearly referring to spiritual sanctification. Those who are spiritual washed only need to look after the their physical cleanliness. In this particular context, Jesus is referring to ritual purity. When a person is spiritually pure, then the ritual purity of the Law of Moses is all they need to look after. ] but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. [ Eleven of you are clean but not all twelve of you. Judas was present for the washing, so Jesus obliquely refers to his lack of spiritual conversion. ]
[ Inspired version: IV 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou needest not to wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that has washed his hands and his head, needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit; ye are clean, but not all. Now this was the custom of the Jews under their law; wherefore, Jesus did this that the law might be fulfilled. ]
11 For he knew who should betray him; [ The Savior knows who will betray him but at this point he is the only one that knows. ] therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 so after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, [ Jesus changes from the garment he wore as the servant in vs 4 to the garments that he wore as the master and teacher. ] and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. [ Always the master teacher - in essence he is teaching them that if he is willing to condensend to earth, and then to wash their feet which is considered by Hebrew tradition that the feet
were the lowest part of the body, both figuratively and literally (cf.
1:5-6, also cp. 10:14-15). None but a slave was allowed to bathe another's
feet because of the lowly nature of the task, and rabbi's were expressly
forbidden from having/allowing their disciples wash their feet because it was
too demeaning (cf. John 1:27). So the question that he is posing to them is if I will condesend and reach this low to lift you what to what level will you be willing to go to help another of my children? whoever aspires to be leader among them must be humble enough to serve everyone. ]
15 For I have given you an example,
that ye should do as I have done to you. [ What
can we learn from Jesus’ words and actions about the qualities of good
leaders? Do you remember what happened to really bring this teaching moment? It was what had happened just prior as the aspostles were in essence arguing which was the most senior among them. see Luke 22:24-27 ]
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are
ye if ye do them. [ How does serving others
make us happy? Happy might be better translated in this verse as "blessed" ]
18 ¶ I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: [ Speaking of all of the disciples, including Judas who when he was chosen the Savior knew exactly how Judas would act given the proper circumstances - to betry him. So the fact that Judas was just being Judas was no surprise to the Savior, and was chosen for such a purpose. Now let's think on this one. Judas was chosen not as the purest disciple, not as the most spiritual disciple, but at least in part for what he would do to betray the Savior. From this we maight conclude that there might have most likely been others who would have better fit the mold of a perfect disciple, and yet Jesus chose Judas. So when the Lord calls people to do things it might not always be the most spiritual person, it may not be the purest person but they may be called for a paticular purpose because of their very nature, God knowing what they will do in a particular circumstance and this his work is brought forward. ] but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. [ A reference to a ill natured horse or cow whom while you are feeding it will make a quick kick at you, even though you are in the act of helpping it. This refence in part will imply that to those who reject Jesus and what he is trying to teach also reject the Father. ]
19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am ahe [ the IV alters this line to read “ye may
believe I am the Christ”. As such Jesus is letting them know he consents
to what is about to happen, he knows how it will all end, who the players are and that he has agreed to it going forward. A witness to them, that
he had power to stop it and does not. ]
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. [ Every disciple but Judas, is conscious of his own innocence, and so they each look to each other for the culprit, with wonder wonder who could be such a traitor! Even Judas himself is not suspected. Is not this a proof that his general conduct had been such as to subject him to no suspicion? This is a good thing because if he was suspected then Peter would have most likely taken the sword to him and therefore not allowed the plan to move forward. ]
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. [ So we have JOhn the beloved holding the Savior with his head in the Saviors breast.]
24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, [ Peter was interested enough to have John discreetly ask Jesus who it was.
This sheds some light onto Peter’s motives. Why did not Peter
publicly ask Jesus across the table who it was? Probably because
he wanted to deal with betrayer. That Jesus responded to John’s
question discreetly and not publicly, and then immediately
dispatched Judas suggests he did not want to give John the
opportunity discreetly inform Peter of what he had just learned.
Jesus did not want Peter interfering with the imminent events.] that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. [ So this is the question that Peter asked to John who was in the Saviors arms at the time. ]
25 He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? [ John is not actually
leaning on Jesus. His position around the table is that his back
is facing Jesus’ front. The custom of eating at that time was to
recline lying on the left side with the head towards the table
and the feet outwards from the table. In this manner, those
around the table had someone to their back and someone to their
front. In this case, John was to Jesus’ front. So Peter whispers into the ear of John to ask the Savior who it is so that he can take care of this - the ancient Porter Rockwell? ]
26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I
shall give a sop,
[ What Does It Mean to
Give a sop? In
areas of the world where table utensils are not used at mealtime, it
is common practice to place both broth and meat in a dish in the center of
the table. Thin pieces of bread, often shaped to make a spoon, are used to
extract both meat and broth from their repository. The bread thus dipped becomes
a “sop.” It is a mark of great honor for two friends to dip from the same sop-dish
and an even greater mark of respect for one to dip for a friend and present
the sop to him. Thus it was that Judas attempted to feign his love and loyalty
for Jesus at the Passover meal by dipping his hand in the same dish with
him. (See Matthew 26:23.) John reports that it was Jesus who dipped the sop
for Judas and then handed it to him with the words, “That thou doest, do quickly.”
(John 13:27.) (See Harper’s Bible Dictionary, s.v. “sop.”) ] when I
have dipped it. And
when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to
Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. [ During the modern Passover Seder the unleavened bread is
dipped into a bowl of salt water that usually contains bitter
herbs. This is symbolic of the suffering and tears of ancient
Israel. Whether this is what Jesus is doing or not is unclear,
but it would be a good fit for the Passover Supper and it would
be a discreet way of identifying the betrayer without doing
anything indiscreet. ]
27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. [ The ever loving Savior is not mad, or angry as a matter of fact appears to show litt emotion here as he says in essence "Thou art past all counsel; thou hast filled up the measure of thy iniquity, and hast wholly abandoned thyself to Satan; I will not force thee to turn from thy purpose, and without this thou wilt not. Thy designs are all known to me; what thou art determined to do, and I to permit, do directly; delay not, I am ready." ]
28 Now no man at the table knew [ This is for both the protection of Judas and well as for the protection that the plan will go forward. ] for what intent he spake this unto him.
29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. [ under the conduct of the prince of darkness, and in the time of darkness, he did this work of darkness ]
31 ¶ Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the son of man glorified, [ "nun edoxasqh" - Hath been glorified. Or now it fully appears that I am the person appointed to redeem a lost world by my blood. I have already been glorified by this appointment, and am about to be farther glorified by my death, resurrection, and ascension. The earliest use of this title "Son of Man" (man here means "King") that I can find in the scriptures comes from the Book Of Enoch(Enoch 46:1-3). Other references to that title include Daniel(), Abraham() and Christ himself() and all of them would have had available the Book Of Enoch.
Enoch was given the title Son of Man as a descriptor for Jesus Christ. We find in written in the Book of Enoch 46:1-3 “And I asked the angel who went with me and showed me all the hidden things, concerning that Son of Man, who He was, and whence He was, (and) why he went with the Head of Days? And he answered and said unto me:
This is the Son of Man who hath righteousness, with whom dwelleth righteousness, and who revealeth all the treasures of that which is hidden, because the Lord of Spirits hath chosen Him, and whose lot hath the pre-eminence before the Lord of Spirits in uprightness forever. (BoE 46:1-3)”
So from these verses we can see that Enoch's angelic guide has declared that "the Son Of Man" is another name for Jesus Christ. This phrase is used by Daniel when he likens the person that he saw in his vision "like the Son of Man" (Daniel 7:13-14) as does Abraham when he described the individual who volunteered Himself to do the will of the Father as being “like unto the Son of Man.” Therefore the phrase “like the Son of Man” or “like unto the Son of Man,” (Abr 3:27) used in these two examples promote the familiarity through an external source to which both prophets would have had access to that being the Book of Enoch. (Abr 1:31)
This is also why Christ would have referred to himself as "the Son Of Man" because it was the messianic title that embodied the works and mission that would be preformed creation, example, atonement, resurrection, judgement(John 5:22-23,27) are all responsibilities that were given to the Son Of Man. Christ seems to use this title to place specific importance upon the subject matter He was teaching at the time, because the use of that title by Christ typically focuses on the prophecies of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and His latter-day responsibilities.Since the Jews of old would have had access to the book of Enoch, they would have known from there that "the Son Of Man" was a name given to "the Son Of God". So when Christ references that he is the "Son of Man" he is essentially declaring that he is God's Son. Here is the text from Enoch which the jews would have had at the time of Jesus. Multiple copies found with the Dead Sea scrolls.
Enoch Chapter XLVL
This Son of man, whom thou beholdest, shall raise up kings and the mighty from their couches, and the powerful from their thrones ; shall loosen the bridles of the powerful, and break in pieces the teeth of sinners.
4. He shall hurl kings from their thrones and their dominions ; because they will not exalt and praise him, nor humble themselves before him, by whom^ their kingdoms were granted to them. The countenance likewise of the mighty shall He cast down, filling them with confusion. Darkness shall be their habitation, and worms shall be their bed ; nor from that their bed shall they hope to be again raised, because they exalted not the name of the Lord of spirits.
5. They shall condemn the stars of heaven, shall lift up their hands against the Most High, shall tread upon and inhabit the earth, exhibiting all their works of iniquity, even their works of iniquity. Their strength shall be in their riches, and their faith in the gods whom they have formed with their own hands. They shall deny the name of the Lord of spirits, and shall expel him from the temples, in which they assemble
6. And tvith him the faithful, who suffer in the name of the Lord of spirits. ] and God is glorified in him.
32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
33 Little children, [ Or, rather, beloved children. teknia, a word frequently used by this apostle in his epistles. It is an expression which implies great tenderness and affection, and such as a fond mother uses to her most beloved babes. Now that Judas was gone out, he could use this epithet without any restriction of meaning. ] yet a little while I am with you. [ But our time together is very short; Judas is gone to consummate his treason. The plan is already in place. ] Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That
ye love one
another; as I have loved you, [ Notice: the Christian responsibility to love others shifts from ‘loving your neighbor as yourself’ to loving others as “Christ loved,” with a willingness to give one’s life for others. Christ emphasizes in verse 35 that those who don’t love others with this pure love of God are not disciples of Christ and therefore not Christian. JESUS IS OUR GREAT
EXAMPLE OF WHAT IT MEANS TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Jesus is the Father’s gift
to all men. In offering his son as he did, our Father in heaven has shown
us our truest example of pure love. Out of his divine love came a willingness
to endure the sacrifice of his son—the incomparable suffering in Gethsemane,
the abuse by Romans and Jews, the mockery of a trial, the pain and horror
of a crucifixion. And why? Because our Father in heaven loves us and
knew that we could return to him only through the atonement of Jesus
Christ. What kind of love was Jesus talking about
here that he has for us? see 1 John 4:7–10. the
Savior did not have to die, for he held death in abeyance. His was a
willing sacrifice, a supreme act of love. He lived a life of complete
obedience to the Father’s will. In giving his life willingly as he did,
our Savior placed the seal of divine love on his life and mission and
demonstrated the course which all men should emulate. What
things can we do to show that we have the Saviors kind of love? We
can do what he asked us to do just as he did what the Father asked him
to do, we can be the hands that he cannot. ] that
ye also love one
another.
35 By this shall all men know
that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one
to another. [ What
Did Jesus Teach About the Principle of Love? It
has been aptly observed that while many of the world’s great religious
leaders taught the principle of love, Jesus is the only one who could truly
say, “Follow me,” for he alone not only taught the principle but exemplified
it. And we are to love one another as he has loved us. “By this,” he says,
“shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
(John 13:35.) Read John 15:8–13. Perhaps the best way we can comprehend what
Jesus taught about the principle of love is to ponder the love that Jesus offers
us. Consider the divine station from which he descended to come to earth to
rescue us and to provide for us redemption and forgiveness of sins. Consider
also the agony in Gethsemane and on the cross. “I stand all amazed at the love
Jesus offers me, Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me; I tremble
to know that for me he was crucified, That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he
bled and died. “I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine To rescue
a soul so rebellious and proud as mine; That he should extend his great love
unto such as I, Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify. “I think of his
hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt! Such mercy, such love, and devotion
can I forget? No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat, Until at the
glorified throne I kneel at his feet. “Oh, it is wonderful that he should care
for me, Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, Wonderful to me!” (“I Stand
all Amazed,” Hymns 80.) Very often students desire to know how they can really
demonstrate love. Have you ever felt this way? If so, the following scriptures
will provide valuable insight and help. Summarize briefly how we may demonstrate
our love as described in the following scriptures: John 15:9, 10. It’s no longer “love your neighbor as yourself”— He is teaching an even higher law. Paul teaches that even if he has been true and faithful in all aspects of his Church commitments, if he has not charity, he is nothing! The implication is that we are to love everybody ... not just your neighbor as yourself.
If you are worthy of the Celestial Kingdom, can you love any one person more than another? No, you can’t—or you are not worthy to be there! What about your son or daughter born here? Can you love them more than anyone born anywhere else in the world? No, you can’t—or you are not worthy to be there!
That’s why Joseph taught:
“Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power.” TPJS p. 346-347
“ . . . So it is with the principles of the Gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave.” TPJS p. 348 How
do we best show our love for God? 1 John 2:15–17. How
do many love the world rather than God? 1 John
3:17, 18. How important
is service to the demonstration of love? What
should be the great distinguishing trait of a true disciple of Christ? ]
36 ¶ Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. [ At this point Peter does not yet realize a few things. First, that Peter is not as strong as Peter thinks he is, second that Peter cannot lay down his life for the Savior, it is the Savior and only the Savior that has the power to lay down his life and tghen to take it up again, and then will allow Peter to be resurrected as well as a result. ]