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John 13

World English Bible

WEB

1Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God, 4arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.” 8Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” 10Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” 11For he knew him who would betray him; therefore he said, “You are not all clean.” 12So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. 14If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. 16Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18I don’t 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.’ 19From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am he. 20Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me.” 21When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.” 22The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke. 23One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ chest. 24Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.” 25He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ chest, asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 28Now nobody at the table knew why he said this to him. 29For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30Therefore having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night. 31When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately. 33Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come,’ so now I tell you. 34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 36Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.” 37Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

John Chapter 13 marks a pivotal moment in the Gospel, as it begins the narrative of Jesus' final hours before His crucifixion. The chapter opens with Jesus knowing that His time has come to leave the world and return to the Father. In a profound act of humility, He washes the feet of His disciples, demonstrating the essence of servant leadership. This act is not only a lesson in humility but also a foreshadowing of His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Jesus emphasizes that He, the Teacher and Lord, has set an example for His followers, urging them to serve one another in love (John13:1-17). This moment encapsulates the heart of the Christian faith, which is to love and serve others selflessly, reflecting the love of Christ (John13:34-35).

As the chapter progresses, Jesus reveals that one of His disciples will betray Him, which causes great distress among them. He identifies Judas Iscariot as the betrayer, fulfilling the prophecy of betrayal found in the Psalms (Psalm41:9). This moment highlights the tension between divine sovereignty and human free will, as Judas makes the choice to betray the Son of God. Jesus then gives a new commandment to His disciples: to love one another as He has loved them. This commandment becomes the hallmark of the Christian community, setting them apart as true followers of Christ. The chapter concludes with Peter's declaration of loyalty, followed by Jesus predicting Peter's denial, illustrating the frailty of human commitment in the face of impending trials. Overall, John 13 serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' love, humility, and the call to live out that love in our relationships with one another.

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Referenced by

  1. Exodus 30:18v5Exodus 30:18 describes the bronze basin for washing, which parallels Jesus washing the disciples' feet in John 13:5, symbolizing cleansing and humility in service.
  2. Psalms 41:9v18Psalm 41:9 describes betrayal by a close friend, which Jesus cites in John 13:18 as a prophecy fulfilled by Judas Iscariot's betrayal.
  3. Psalms 55:12-14v18Psalm 55:12-14 speaks of betrayal by a close friend, which is paralleled in John 13:18 where Jesus speaks of Judas' betrayal, fulfilling the theme of betrayal by a trusted companion.
  4. John 21:17v38John 21:17, where Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, corresponds to Peter's three denials of Jesus in John 13:38. This threefold questioning serves as a redemptive parallel to Peter's earlier denials, emphasizing forgiveness and restoration.
  5. John 21:19v36In John 21:19, Jesus tells Peter about the manner of his death, which echoes Jesus' earlier conversation with Peter in John 13:36 about following Him later. This indicates Peter's future martyrdom and ultimate faithfulness to Jesus.
  6. 1 Corinthians 16:14v341 Corinthians 16:14 commands that all actions be done in love, reflecting Jesus' new commandment in John 13:34 to love one another as He has loved us.
  7. Galatians 6:2v34Galatians 6:2 encourages believers to bear one another's burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ, which is rooted in Jesus' commandment to love one another as He has loved us in John 13:34.
  8. Ephesians 5:2v34Ephesians 5:2 encourages walking in love as Christ loved us, which is echoed in John 13:34 where Jesus commands His disciples to love one another as He has loved them.
  9. 1 John 2:6v151 John 2:6 emphasizes walking as Jesus walked, which is exemplified in John 13:15 where Jesus sets an example for His disciples to follow.
  10. 1 John 4:7-8v341 John 4:7-8 calls believers to love one another, as love is from God, paralleling Jesus' new commandment in John 13:34-35 to love one another as He has loved us.
  11. 2 John 1:5v342 John 1:5 reiterates the commandment to love one another, which is the same commandment Jesus gave to His disciples in John 13:34, emphasizing the continuity of this commandment in the Christian community.

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