The Life and Teachings
of Jesus
A Restatement of the Gospels

135. Jesus Washes the Apostles’ Feet

        3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel. 5Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.
        6He came to Simon Peter; and Peter said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”
        7Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand.”
        8Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.”
        Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part in me.”
        9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”
        10Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is clean all over; and you are clean, but not everyone of you.” 11(For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “You are not all clean.”)
        12When he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
        25And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over their subjects; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27For which is the greater, one who sits at table, or one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at table? But I am among you as one who serves.”
        (Jn. 13:3–17; Lk. 22:25–27)



Lk. 22:25  over their subjects; and (NEB) / over them; and (RSV)   (179:3/1938–40)

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