Holy Week · Maundy Thursday · Year B
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
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's commentary on the footwashing and the new commandment for Maundy Thursday.
John 13 Commentary: Jesus, the Loving Servant Enduring Word
Verse by verse commentary on Jesus taking the servant's towel and basin.
John 13 Commentary Precept Austin
Detailed word-study commentary on the footwashing and the upper room discourse.
John 13:31-35 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A preaching commentary focused on the new commandment to love one another.
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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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