John 13:1-11
Jesus Washes Their Feet
Read the passage
1It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end.
2The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
3Jesus knew that the Father had delivered all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God.
4So He got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist.
5After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that was around Him.
6He came to Simon Peter, who asked Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?”
7Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8“Never shall You wash my feet!” Peter told Him. Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.”
9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!”
10Jesus told him, “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”
11For He knew who would betray Him. That is why He said, “Not all of you are clean.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jesus knows His hour has come to leave the world and return to the Father. He knows the Father has put all things into His hands. During the meal, those hands take a towel and a basin, and He begins washing His disciples' feet. His authority does not keep Him at a distance from their need.
Peter objects. He will not let his Lord wash his feet. Jesus tells him that he does not understand now, but will later. Then He makes the stakes clear: unless He washes Peter, Peter has no part with Him. Honoring Jesus cannot mean refusing the help Jesus says he needs.
Peter swings to the other extreme and asks for his hands and head to be washed too. Jesus answers that someone who has bathed needs only his feet washed. The point is not to demand a larger washing from Him, but to receive what He gives. Before Peter can imitate his Lord's service, he must accept his Lord's cleansing.
Jesus says the disciples are clean, though not all of them. John explains that He knows who will betray Him. Being present at the meal and sharing its outward actions does not conceal Judas's heart from Jesus. The scene shows love that serves and knowledge that sees the truth about those being served.
Questions
1 What does Jesus do for the disciples before the Passover feast?
AnswerJesus rises from the meal, lays aside His outer garments, wraps a towel around Himself, pours water into a basin, and washes the disciples' feet. He does this knowing that His hour has come and that Judas will betray Him.
2 Why does Peter resist having his feet washed?
AnswerPeter resists because Jesus is his Lord and Teacher, so Peter cannot accept the expected order being turned upside down by Jesus' washing his feet. Jesus tells him that unless He washes him, Peter has no share with Him.
3 What does Jesus say Peter will have no share in if he refuses?
AnswerJesus says Peter will have no share with Him if Peter refuses to be washed.
4 What kind of humble service would our household normally avoid but needs to receive or offer?
AnswerChoose one ordinary task that someone else usually carries, and do it without announcing your sacrifice. Also name one kind of help you resist receiving, and consider whether accepting it could become an act of humility.
What This Means for Us
Jesus' love reaches people who will misunderstand, deny, and betray Him. That does not make betrayal acceptable, and it does not erase wise boundaries. It shows that humble service begins with a clear view of both the other person's need and our own need to receive grace.
Some service is visible, but much of it is ordinary work no one applauds. Some humility also looks like accepting help instead of insisting that we must remain in control. Both belong to the life Jesus describes.
Prayer
Jesus, teach us to receive your cleansing and to serve without pride. Make our home honest, merciful, and wise enough to pair humble love with healthy boundaries. Amen.