John began his writing of this gospel on the topic of eternity, and ends it by telling of Jesus coming to Earth again.

Much of the rest of our study of the gospel of John is of Jesus teaching His disciples privately just before His arrest and death.

Christ’s deep love for the believers, and the peace that comes from having faith, are clearly illustrated.

Chapters 13-17 tell us what Jesus said to His disciples on the night before His death. These words were all spoken on one evening with only the disciples as His audience.

Here, knowing the following events would change their lives forever, and to prepare them for His death and resurrection, he gave them final instructions.

Jesus Teaches

Verse 1: “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”

Jesus knew one of His disciples would betray Him, that He would be disowned by another, and abandoned by all, yet never wavered in His love for them.

The term “love” is used 31 times in chapters 13 through 17 as Jesus demonstrates to His disciples the full extent of His love.

Love is the laying down of one’s life, and to love completely means to love to the end of one’s life.

Verse 2: “During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him...”

Bible scholars debate as to whether this supper they shared was the “last supper” or the Passover meal. In this instance, it’s rather immaterial because in John’s gospel, he goes into the meaning of the last supper, or Passover, but begins with Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.

Jesus chose Judas to be His disciple. We often wonder why Judas would want to betray Jesus. Many scholars believe Judas expected Jesus to become king and that he would automatically become the treasurer.

However, when Jesus praised Mary for anointing Him with the expensive perfume, Judas began to realize that Jesus’ kingdom was not to be physical or political, but spiritual, which would not satisfy his greedy desire for money or status.

His betrayal of Jesus brought him a little money and would hopefully place him in favor with the religious leaders. However, this was short-lived and Judas, deeply regretting his actions, had tried to undo them by attempting to return the money.

Verse 3-4: “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.”

Taking off his outer garment would leave Jesus with his tunic, a shorter garment like a long undershirt.

Slaves would be so dressed to serve a meal. Jesus then tied a linen cloth around his waist with which to dry their feet.

This was obviously not what one would expect a master to do, and according to Jewish text, not even a Jewish slave could be required to do this, but only a Gentile slave (Exodus 21), so this was most commonly the work of a servant or of submissive wives or children (1 Samuel 25).

“Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

Although some churches practice foot washing, most scholars believe that Jesus probably did not intend to initiate a practice to be observed continually in the church. His actions indicate His concern His followers would understand the meaning of “servanthood.”

Although a servant usually performed the task of washing guests’ feet, Jesus used this occasion to teach His disciples a lesson in humility and selfless service.