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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_13:12-20
12So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, 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, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. 16Truly, truly, I 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 if you do them. 18I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.' 19From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. 20Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me."
Joh_13:12-20 In contrast to Joh_13:6-10, here Jesus describes His act as an example of humility. The Apostles were arguing over who was greatest (cf. Luk_22:24). In this context Jesus performs an act of a slave and then explains what it means and how to apply it.
Joh_13:14 "If" This is a first class conditional sentence which is assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his purposes.
▣ "the Lord and the Teacher" Notice the definite article in Joh_13:13-14. Also notice the titles are reversed. He is the One who speaks with authority. He reveals the Father and expects obedience and allegiance! What He does they must mimic (Joh_13:15).
Joh_13:14-15 "you also ought to wash one another's feet" Does this statement mean that this act of humility is meant to be a third church ordinance? Most Christian groups have said, no, because
1. there is never a record of it being done by any church in Acts
2. it is never advocated in the NT letters
3. it is never specifically said to be an ongoing ordinance as are baptism (cf. Mat_28:19) and the Lord's Supper (cf. 1Co_11:17-34)
This is not meant to imply that this might not be an important worship event.
The "example" that Jesus gave them was not just humility, but sacrificial service (cf. Joh_15:12-13). 1Jn_3:16 states it well! Jesus loves to the end (cf. Joh_13:1), they must love to the uttermost also (i.e., a life of self-sacrifice, the reversal of the Fall).
Joh_13:16 "Truly, truly I say to you" This is literally "Amen, amen" (as is Joh_13:20). This is a form of the OT term for "faith" (cf. Hab_2:4). Jesus was the only one (in any Greek literature) to ever use it in this opening position. It usually was said last to (1) agree with or (2) confirm a statement or act. When used at the beginning of a sentence and doubled, it is an authoritative, attention-getting device. See hyperlink at Joh_1:51.
▣ "a slave is not greater than his master" This is an introductory phrase to communicate truths.
1. Joh_13:16, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him
2. Joh_15:20
a. if they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you
b. if they kept My word, they will keep yours also
3. Luk_6:40 (similar), but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher (cf. Mat_10:24)
4. Luk_22:27 (similar), but I am among you as one who serves
Joh_13:17 "If you know these things you are blessed if you do them" The first "if" is a first class conditional sentence which is assumed to be true from the author's perspective. The second "if" in this verse is a third class conditional which means potential action. If we know, we should do (cf. Mat_7:24-27; Luk_6:46-49; Rom_2:13; Jas_1:22-25; Jas_4:11)! Knowledge is not the goal, but Christlike living. This reflects the Hebrew verb shema, "hear so as to do" (cf. Deu_6:4).
Joh_13:18 "the Scriptures may be fulfilled" This refers to Judas. This is the mystery of the intersection of predestination and human free will.
Jesus, and His disciples, believed in the veracity of Scripture! When it spoke it was to be trusted (cf. Mat_5:17-19). Several times John makes the comment "that the Scriptures may be fulfilled" (cf. Joh_12:14; Joh_13:18; Joh_15:25; Joh_17:12; Joh_19:24; Joh_19:36). Often the OT text is not fully understood until an event in the life of Christ (i.e., typology, i.e., Hos_11:1) or the NT event is a multiple fulfillment (i.e., Isa_7:14 or Dan_9:27; Dan_11:31; Dan_12:11).
▣ "HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME" This is a quote from Psa_41:9. The Oriental custom of eating together as a sign of friendship and covenant heightens Judas' offense. In the Near East to show the bottom of one's foot to another was a sign of contempt.
Joh_3:19 This verse shows the purpose of Jesus' miracle signs and predictions (cf. Joh_20:31). In John, belief is a growing and continuing experience. Jesus is continually developing the Apostles' trust/faith/belief. See Special Topic at Joh_9:7.
Jesus develops their faith by
1. His words
2. His deeds
3. His foreknowledge
Jesus brought a radical "new" way to be right with God. It cut across these Jewish men's traditions and beliefs.
1. He, not Moses, was the focus
2. grace, not performance
▣ "that I am He" This is a reference to God's name, "YHWH," which is from the Hebrew verb "to be" (cf. "I Am" of Exo_3:14). Jesus is clearly claiming to be the promised Messiah with divine connotations here (cf. Joh_4:26; Joh_8:24; Joh_8:28; Joh_8:58; Joh_13:19; Joh_18:5-6; Joh_18:8; notice Mat_24:5 and Mar_13:6; Luk_21:8).
See hyperlink at Joh_6:20.
Joh_13:20 Usually John uses the term "believe" (pisteuô), "believe in" (pisteuô eis) or "believe that" (pisteuô hoti) to designate Christians, (see Special Topic: John's Use of "Believe" at Joh_2:23), but he also uses other terms such as "receive" or "welcome" (cf. Joh_1:12; Joh_5:43; Joh_13:20). The gospel is both the welcoming of a person and the accepting of biblical truths about that person, as well as living a life emulating that person.
▣ "he who receives whomever I send receives Me" What a powerful statement of the delegated authority of Jesus' disciples. It can function on several levels.
1. the mission trips of the Twelve (Mat_10:40) and Seventy (Luk_10:16)
2. the witness of the church (cf. Joh_17:20)
The message about Jesus has life-changing power unrelated to who proclaims it. The authority is in the message (i.e., gospel), not the earthly message.