13 Jesus Washes the Feet of His Disciples
It was before Passover, and Jesus knew that the time had come for him to
leave this world and to return to the Father. He had always loved his followers
in this world, and he loved them to the very end.
2 Even before the evening meal started, the devil had made Judas, the son
of Simon Iscariot,(n) decide to betray Jesus.
3 Jesus knew that he had come from God and would go back to God. He also
knew that the Father had given him complete power. 4 So during the evening meal
Jesus got up, removed his outer garment, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5
He put some water into a large bowl. Then he began washing his disciples' feet
and drying them with the towel he was wearing.
6 But when he came to Simon Peter, that disciple asked, "Lord, are you
going to wash my feet?"
7 Jesus answered, "You don't really know what I am doing, but later
you will understand."
8 "You will never wash my feet!" Peter replied. "If I don't
wash you, Jesus told him, "You don't really belong to me."
9 Peter said, "Lord, don't just wash my feet. Wash my hands and my
head."
10 Jesus answered, "People who have bathed and are clean all over need
to wash just their feet. And you, my disciples, are clean, except for one of
you." 11 Jesus knew who would betray him. that is why he said, "except
for one of you."
12 After Jesus had washed his disciples' feet and had put his outer garment
back on, he sat down again.(o) Then he said: Do you understand what I have
done? 13 You call me your teacher and Lord, and you should, because that is who
I am. 14 And if your Lord and teacher has washed your feet, you should do the
same for each other. 15 I have set the example, and you should do for each other
exactly what I have done for you. 16 I tell you for certain that servants are
not greater than their master, and messengers are not greater than the one who
sent them. 17 You know these things, and God will bless you, if you do them.
18 I am not talking about all of you. I know the ones I have chosen. But
what the Scriptures say must come true. And they say, "The man who ate with
me has turned against me!" 19 I am telling you this before it all happens.
Then when it does happen, you will believe who I am.(p) I tell you for certain
that anyone who welcomes my messengers also welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes
me welcomes the one who sent me.
(n) Iscariot: See the note at 12. 4. (o) sat down again: On special
occasions the Jewish people followed the Greek and Roman custom of Lying down on
their left side and leaning on their left elbow, while eating with their right
hand. (p) I am: See the note at 8. 24.
Jesus Tells What Will Happen to Him
(Matthew 26. 20-25; Mark 14. 17-21; Luke 22. 21-23)
21 After Jesus had said these things, he was deeply troubled and told his
disciples, "I tell you for certain that one of you will betray me." 22
They were confused by what he meant. And they just stared at each other.
23 Jesus' favourite disciple him at the meal, 24 and Simon motioned for
that disciple to find out which one Jesus meant. 25 So the disciple leaned
toward Jesus and asked, "Lord, which one of us are you talking about?"
26 Jesus answered, "I will dip this piece of bread in the sauce and
give it to the one I was talking about."
Then Jesus dipped the bread and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon
Iscariot.(q) 27 Right then Satan took control of Judas.
Jesus said, "Judas, go quickly and do what you have to do."
28 No one at the meal understood what Jesus meant. 29 But because Judas
was in charge of the money, some of them thought that Jesus had told him to buy
something they needed for the festival. Others thought that Jesus had told him
to give some money to the poor. 30 Judas took the piece of bread and went out.
It was already night.
(q) Iscariot: See the note at 12. 4.
The New Command
31 After Judas had gone, Jesus said: Now the Son of Man will be given
glory, and he will bring glory to God. 32 Then, after God is given glory because
of him, God will bring glory to him, and God will do it very soon.
33 My children, I will be with you for a little while longer. Then you will
look for me, but you won't find me. I tell you just as I told the people, "You
cannot go where I am going." 34 But I am going to give you a new command.
You must love each other, Just as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other,
everyone will know that you are my disciples.
Peter's Promise
(Matthew 26. 31-35; Mark 14. 27-31; Luke 22. 31-34)
36 Simon Peter asked, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus
answered, "You can't go with me now, but later you will."
37 Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I go with you now? I would die for
you!"
38 "Would you really die for me?" Jesus asked. "I tell you
for certain that before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you
don't even know me."
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