Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, 3 fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, 4 he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” 11 For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 So when he had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? 13 You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. 14 If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. 16 Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. 18 I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.’ 19 From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. 20 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
Jesus knew that he would soon be returning to His Father who had handed all power over to him (v. 3; Jn. 3:35). He had completed the work his Father gave him to do. He loved those whom the Father had given to him. He had the power to voluntarily lay down his life so that he could bring humanity to salvation by dying on their behalf (Jn. 3:16). Judas had already decided to betray Jesus.
Jesus began to wash the disciples’ feet and Peter objected. Foot washing was an act of hospitality in Palestinian homes and was usually performed by the master’s slaves or his wife (Gen 18:4; 1 Tim.5:10). Early Christians also did this to imitate Christ’s humility in washing the Apostles feet. Foot washing was also done for visiting dignitaries or superiors as a sign of respect. Jesus was not a slave, and the Apostles were nor superior to Jesus, so Peter objected to Jesus washing his feet. Jesus told Peter that he could not share in the inheritance he has for his disciples if he was not washed (vv. 6-8). Jesus implied that not all were clean after the washing indicating that Judas was not clean/sanctified.
Jesus explained what he had done and instructed the disciples to follow his example. If the ones he had chosen understood what he had done they were blessed (v. 17). Jesus then quoted from the Psalms, “Even my trusted friend, who ate my bread, has raised his heel against me (Ps. 41:10),” showing he knew that Judas was going to betray him. Jesus was forewarning his disciples about his glorification that was to come so that when he was lifted up (Jn.12:32) they would believe that “I AM” (vv. 19-20).
Almighty God, help us to celebrate the mysteries of the Lord’s Passion so that by his blood we may merit to receive your forgiveness and be welcomed to share everlasting life in your kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen!
References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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