Holy Week · Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper · Year B
John 13:1-15
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
March 25, 2027
Overview & Insights
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.” (John 13:14)
The new division in John’s Gospel is marked by a long, loosely connected, almost breathless comment by the narrator (vv. 1–3) in which he tries to gather up the themes of chapters 1–12 and 13–17 alike and use them as his stage setting. The first element in this setting has to do with time and circumstances: The notice that it was just before the Passover Feast (v. 1a) brings the temporal notices of 11:55 (“it was almost time”), 12:1 (“six days before”), and 12:12 (“the next day”) up to date. The further indication that the evening meal was being served (v. 2a) is a necessary minimum for making sense of verses 4–5. On the basis of the synoptic Gospels, the evening meal is commonly assumed to be Jesus’ last meal with his disciples, a Passover meal at which he instituted the Lord’s Supper (Mark 14:12–26/Matt. 26:17–30/Luke 22:7–23; cf. vv. 21–30).
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Commentary
Commentary on John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary commentary on the foot washing and the new commandment, the RCL Maundy Thursday reading covering this Gospel.
John 13 Commentary: Jesus, the Loving Servant Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik walks verse by verse through Jesus washing the disciples' feet.
John 13 Commentary Precept Austin
Extensive gathered notes and word studies on John 13.
John 13:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregated classic commentaries on Jesus loving his own to the end before the Passover.
Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper Agape Bible Study
Catholic study of the Lord's Supper readings, including the foot washing as a sign of servant love.
Holy Thursday Homily: Verbum Caro, Panem Verum Word on Fire · Bishop Barron
Bishop Barron's Holy Thursday homily on the Word made flesh and true bread of the Eucharist.
Background & Word Study
John - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the structure and theology of John's Gospel.
Gospel of John Summary (Overview Video) BibleProject
Animated overview of John's Gospel and its farewell discourse setting.
John 13:1 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word-by-word study of the opening of the foot washing narrative.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Worship & Prayers
Questions preachers ask
Why does Jesus wash the disciples' feet?
On the night he is betrayed Jesus rises, girds himself with a towel, and washes his disciples' feet, giving them the pattern and the new commandment to love.
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