The Lord’s Supper

1Now before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that His hour had come [and it was time] for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Having [greatly] loved His own who were in the world, He loved them [and continuously loves them with His perfect love] to the end (eternally). 2It was during supper, when the devil had already put [the thought of] betraying Jesus into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, 3that Jesus, knowing that the Father had put everything into His hands, and that He had come from God and was [now] returning to God, 4got up from supper, took off His [outer] robe, and taking a [servant’s] towel, He tied it around His waist.

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

5Then He poured water into the basin and began washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel which was tied around His waist. 6When He came to Simon Peter, he said to Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus replied to him, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but you will [fully] understand it later.” 8Peter said to Him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me [we can have nothing to do with each other].” 9Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, [in that case, wash] not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!” 10Jesus said to him, “Anyone who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, and is completely clean. And you [My disciples] are clean, but not all of you.” 11For He knew who was going to betray Him; for that reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12So when He had washed their feet and put on His [outer] robe and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you understand what I have done for you? 13You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is who I am. 14So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet as well. 15For I gave you [this as] an example, so that you should do [in turn] as I did to you. 16I assure you and most solemnly say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 17If you know these things, you are blessed [happy and favored by God] if you put them into practice [and faithfully do them]. 18I am not speaking of all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but [this has happened] in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled: ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS RAISED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME [as My enemy].’ 19From now on I am telling you [what will happen] before it occurs, so that when it does take place you may believe that I am He [who I say I am--the Christ, the Anointed, the Messiah]. 20I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the one who receives and welcomes whomever I send receives Me; and the one who receives Me receives Him who sent Me [in that same way].”

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

21After Jesus had said these things, He was [a]troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, one of you will betray Me and hand Me over.” 22The disciples began looking at one another, puzzled and disturbed as to whom He could mean. 23[b]One of His disciples, whom Jesus loved (esteemed), was [c]leaning against Jesus’ chest. 24So Simon Peter motioned to him (John) and [quietly] asked [him to ask Jesus] of whom He was speaking. 25Then leaning back against Jesus’ chest, he (John) asked Him [privately], “Lord, who is it?” 26Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I am going to give this piece [of bread] after I have dipped it.” So when He had dipped the piece of bread [into the dish], He gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. 27After [Judas had taken] the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly [without delay].” 28But no one reclining at the table knew why He said this to him. 29Some thought that, since Judas [as the treasurer of the group] had the money box, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he was to [d]give something to the poor. 30After taking the piece of bread, he went out immediately; and it was night.

31So when Judas had left, Jesus said, “Now is [the time for] the Son of Man [to be] glorified, and God is glorified in Him; 32[e][if God is glorified in Him,] God will also glorify Him (the Son) in Himself, and will glorify Him at once. 33Little children, I am with you [only] a little longer. You will look for Me and, as I told the Jews, so I tell you now, ‘Where I am going, you are not able to come.’ 34I am giving you a new commandment, that you [f]love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”

36Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now; but you will be able to follow later.” 37Peter said to Him, “Lord, why cannot I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You!” 38Jesus answered, “Will you [really] lay down your life for Me? I assure you and most solemnly say to you, before a rooster crows you will deny and completely disown Me three times.

[a] 21 See note 11:33.
[b] 23 Probably John the Apostle, author of this Gospel and brother of James the Apostle. The mother of John and James was Salome, who is believed to be the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus. If so, Jesus and the brothers were related as cousins.
[c] 23 As was customary in ancient times, everyone at the meal was reclining on his side on a long dining couch or bench. When there was a pause during the meal for discussion, it was common among close friends for one to lean back on the chest or shoulder of the other.
[d] 29 Passover was considered a special time for charitable gifts to the poor.
[e] 32 Most early mss do not contain this phrase.
[f] 34 The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another.