John 13:3-17 ▼

3 Because Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,

4 he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around himself.

5 He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to dry them with the towel he had wrapped around himself.

6 Then he came to Simon Peter. Peter said to him, |Lord, are you going to wash my feet?|

7 Jesus replied, |You do not understand what I am doing now, but you will understand after these things.|

8 Peter said to him, |You will never wash my feet!| Jesus replied, |If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.|

9 Simon Peter said to him, |Lord, wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!|

10 Jesus replied, |The one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not every one of you.|

11 (For Jesus knew the one who was going to betray him. For this reason he said, |Not every one of you is clean.|)

12 So when Jesus had washed their feet and put his outer clothing back on, he took his place at the table again and said to them, |Do you understand what I have done for you?

13 You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and do so correctly, for that is what I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another's feet.

15 For I have given you an example--you should do just as I have done for you.

16 I tell you the solemn truth, the slave is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent as a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

17 If you understand these things, you will be blessed if you do them.