One Year Journey Through the New Testament
John 13
Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!
Christ Washes the Disciples Feet
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”
7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”
Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”
12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. 20 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”
(John 13:1–20, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- In this chapter, we see a story also unique to John. This passage describes Jesus washing His disciples feet as a lesson on servanthood and identification.
- Jesus spoke about His betrayer and then arises and dresses to wash His disciples’ feet. Everyone complied until He came to Peter. Peter refused in deference to Jesus’ lofty position in the group.
- Jesus told Him that if Christ was not allowed to wash Peter’s feet, that He would no longer be His disciple. Peter then basically asked Jesus to give Him a bath (head, hands, etc.)
- Jesus told him that those who are washed don’t need a bath, but they do need the dust and dirt of the world washed from their feet. This is a beautiful image of a Christian needing to constantly wash the residue of the earth from their souls daily to avoid sin to enter their lives and take root.
- Once Jesus finished, He spoke to them about servanthood. He said that they should follow His example.
Christ Announces Judas, the Betrayer
Matt. 26:21,22; Mark 14:18,19; :Luke 22:21-23
21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.
25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.
(John 13:21–30, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- In this passage, Jesus speaks again about one of the disciples betraying Him. There was curiosity about who it may be.
- When asked, He said that the one to whom He gave bread would be the one to betray Him. Then he dipped bread and handed it the Judas and told him to do what he was going to do quickly.
Christ Announces His Departure
31 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. 33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
(John 13:31–35, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- After Judas left, Jesus talked about glorifying God. He then told them that He was leaving them soon.
- He then gave them instructions to love one another like He loved them. This would be the sign of their identification with Him.
Christ Foretells Peter’s Denial
Matt. 26:34, 35; Mark 14:30. 31; Luke 22:33,34
36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?”
Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.”
37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”
38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times. (John 13:36–38, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- Peter, the most audacious of all the disciples, asked Jesus where He was going. Jesus just said that He could not follow Him there now, but that He would later.
- Peter resisted, saying that he would follow Jesus anywhere, even to lay down His life. Jesus told him that He would deny Him three times before the rooster would crow the next morning.
- Jesus was trying to prepare His disciples one last time for His death and eventual departure. He wanted them to be ready when the time came.
- We need to be ready when Jesus comes!
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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.
Devoted To You 