Introduction
On the night before he died, Jesus got up from supper, wrapped a towel around his waist, and washed his disciples’ dirty feet. Then he said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you” (John 13:34, ESV). John 13 shows the King of glory as a servant, and calls us to love the same way. It’s a fitting study for Maundy Thursday.
Context
John 13 opens the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17), Jesus’ final teaching before the cross. It’s just before Passover. Jesus had always loved his people in the world, and now he showed them the full extent of that love (v. 1).
Passage Overview
Knowing the Father had put everything under his authority, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. Peter protests, then asks to be washed all over. Jesus says they’re clean, though not all of them (v. 10), meaning Judas. He tells them to follow his example. He predicts his betrayal and gives Judas a morsel; Judas goes out into the night (v. 30). Jesus gives the new commandment and predicts Peter’s denial.
Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Verses 1-5: Love to the End
Washing feet was a servant’s job, considered beneath even many slaves. Jesus did it fully aware of his authority (v. 3). Real greatness stoops.
Verses 6-11: Peter’s Protest
Peter can’t accept Jesus serving him. Jesus tells him that unless he lets Jesus wash him, he has no part with him (v. 8). We must receive Jesus’ cleansing before we can serve. Those who’ve been bathed (saved) still need their feet washed, daily cleansing from sin (compare 1 John 1:9).
Verses 12-17: An Example
Since their Lord and Teacher has washed their feet, Jesus says, they should wash each other’s feet too (v. 14). The point isn’t just a ritual, but a way of life: humble, practical service. Knowing this, he adds, they’ll be blessed if they actually do it (v. 17).
Verses 18-30: The Betrayer
Jesus washed Judas’s feet too. He knew what Judas would do and still offered him the morsel, a sign of friendship. Judas left into the night, both literally and spiritually.
Verses 31-35: The New Commandment
Love wasn’t new (Leviticus 19:18), but the standard was: love as Jesus has loved us (v. 34). Everyone will recognize his disciples by their love for one another (v. 35). Love is the church’s identifying mark.
Verses 36-38: Peter’s Boast
Peter vows to die for Jesus. Jesus predicts he’ll deny him three times before the rooster crows. Jesus loves us knowing our failures in advance.
Key Themes
- Jesus is the servant King.
- We must receive his cleansing.
- Humble service is the Christian way of life.
- Love like Jesus is the mark of disciples.
- Jesus loves us to the end, knowing our failures.
Gospel Connection
The foot-washing points to the cross. Jesus laid aside his garments, stooped, and cleansed his disciples; the next day he gave his life, stooped to death, and cleansed us from sin (Philippians 2:5-8). Without his washing, we have no part with him. Salvation begins with letting him serve us.
Application
- Let Jesus wash you. Confess sin and receive his cleansing.
- Serve in hidden ways. Do a humble act of service this week that no one will praise.
- Love the hard-to-love. Jesus washed Judas’s feet.
- Make love visible. How could your church show Jesus’ love to outsiders?
- Stay humble. Peter’s boast came before his fall.
Discussion Questions
- Why was foot-washing so shocking?
- Why did Peter resist?
- What’s the difference between being bathed and having your feet washed?
- What’s new about the new commandment?
- Why did Jesus wash Judas’s feet?
- How can love be the mark of a church?
- Whose feet could you wash this week?
Related Bible studies
- Gospel of John Bible Study: A free Gospel of John Bible study, chapter by chapter: the Word made flesh, the seven I AM statements, the cross, and the empty tomb.
- John 14: John 14:6 meaning explained: comfort for troubled hearts, the Father’s house, Jesus as the only way, and the promised Helper.
- John 17 Bible Study: John 17 high priestly prayer explained: Jesus prays for himself, his disciples, and all who believe, asking for their unity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jesus washing the disciples’ feet signify on Maundy Thursday?
On the night before the cross, Jesus did a servant’s task to show humble, self-giving love and to picture the cleansing his death would bring. Then he commanded his followers to do likewise. The word Maundy comes from mandatum, meaning command: the new command to love one another (John 13:34).
Why did Peter refuse to let Jesus wash his feet?
Peter thought it was beneath his Master to do a slave’s work. But Jesus answered that unless he washed Peter, Peter would have no part with him (John 13:8). Peter had to receive before he could serve. We cannot clean ourselves; we first need Jesus to wash us by his grace, then we follow his example of humble love.
Should Christians practice foot washing today?
Some churches wash feet literally, and that can be a meaningful act. But Jesus’ main point is the attitude behind it: Jesus says he has set an example so we will treat others the way he treated us (John 13:15). Every humble, unseen act of service to others, especially when it costs us, obeys this command.
How will people know we are Jesus’ disciples?
Jesus said the mark of his followers is love: everyone will recognize his disciples by their love for one another (John 13:35). Not knowledge, success or gifts, but love modeled on his own. Christians show they belong to Jesus by forgiving, serving and caring for one another in practical, visible ways.
Why did Peter refuse to let Jesus wash his feet?
Peter thought it was beneath his Master to do a slave's work. But Jesus answered, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me" (John 13:8). Peter had to receive before he could serve. We cannot clean ourselves; we first need Jesus to wash us by his grace, then we follow his example of humble love.
Should Christians practice foot washing today?
Some churches wash feet literally, and that can be a meaningful act. But Jesus' main point is the attitude behind it: "For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you" (John 13:15). Every humble, unseen act of service to others, especially when it costs us, obeys this command.
How will people know we are Jesus' disciples?
Jesus said the mark of his followers is love: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). Not knowledge, success or gifts, but love modeled on his own. Christians show they belong to Jesus by forgiving, serving and caring for one another in practical, visible ways.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, servant King, thank you for stooping to wash me clean. Help me receive your love and then give it away in humble service. Teach me to love others as you have loved me, even those who hurt me, so the world can see I’m your disciple. Amen.
Related: Maundy Thursday Meaning in the Bible
Related: read: Maundy Thursday Devotional
Related: read: Devotional on Serving Others
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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