John 13

King James Version

Full text for John Chapter 13

1¶ Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

2And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's [son], to betray him;

3Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

5After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe [them] with the towel wherewith he was girded.

6Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7Jesus answered and said unto him, ‹What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.›

8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, ‹If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.›

9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also [my] hands and [my] head.

10Jesus saith to him, ‹He that is washed needeth not save to wash [his] feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.›

11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, ‹Ye are not all clean.›

12So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, ‹Know ye what I have done to you?›

13‹Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for [so] I am.›

14‹If I then, [your] Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.›

15‹For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.›

16‹Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.›

17‹If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.›

18¶ ‹I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.›

19‹Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am [he].›

20‹Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.›

21When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, ‹Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.›

22Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

23Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

24Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.

25He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

26Jesus answered, ‹He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped [it].› And when he had dipped the sop, he gave [it] to Judas Iscariot, [the son] of Simon.

27And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, ‹That thou doest, do quickly.›

28Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.

29For some [of them] thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy [those things] that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

30He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

31¶ Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, ‹Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.›

32‹If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.›

33‹Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.›

34‹A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.›

35‹By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.›

36¶ Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, ‹Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.›

37Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

38Jesus answered him, ‹Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.›

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Before the Passover, Jesus humbly washes his disciples' feet, setting an example of service and love. He then reveals that one of them will betray him, identifying Judas Iscariot, who promptly departs. Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment to love one another. Finally, he foretells Peter's denial.

Medium Summary

Knowing his hour was come and that Judas would betray him, Jesus demonstrates profound humility by washing his disciples' feet, setting it forth as an example for them to follow in serving one another. Afterward, Jesus, troubled in spirit, explicitly states that one of his own will betray him, fulfilling scripture. He identifies Judas Iscariot by giving him a dipped sop, after which Satan enters Judas, who then departs into the night. With Judas gone, Jesus speaks of the glorification of God and himself. He then issues a new commandment for his disciples: to love one another as he has loved them, which will be their distinguishing mark. Finally, Jesus foretells Peter's triple denial before the cock crows, despite Peter's fervent vow of loyalty.

Long Summary

Before the Passover feast, Jesus, fully aware of his impending departure to the Father and his divine authority, demonstrates his enduring love for his disciples by performing a servant's task. He rises from supper, lays aside his garments, and washes each disciple's feet, wiping them with a towel. Simon Peter initially objects to this act from his Lord, but Jesus insists that without this washing, Peter can have no part with him, leading Peter to request a full cleansing. Jesus clarifies that those already clean only need their feet washed, subtly indicating that not all present are 'clean,' referring to the betrayer. After this symbolic act, Jesus explains that he has set an example of humble service, instructing them to wash one another's feet, for the servant is not greater than his lord. Subsequently, Jesus, troubled in spirit, declares that one of his chosen disciples will betray him, fulfilling a scriptural prophecy. The disciples are perplexed, looking at one another in doubt. Simon Peter then prompts the beloved disciple, leaning on Jesus' bosom, to ask for the betrayer's identity. Jesus reveals it will be the one to whom he gives a dipped sop, and he gives it to Judas Iscariot. Immediately after receiving the sop, Satan enters Judas, and Jesus urges him to act quickly. Judas then departs into the night, his true purpose unknown to most of the other disciples, who assume he is attending to financial matters or giving to the poor. With Judas gone, Jesus proclaims that the Son of Man is now glorified, and God is glorified in him, anticipating his imminent passion. He then imparts a new, foundational commandment to his 'little children': that they love one another, just as he has loved them. This mutual love, he declares, will be the unmistakable sign by which all men will recognize them as his disciples. Finally, Simon Peter questions Jesus about his destination, to which Jesus replies that Peter cannot follow him now but will later. Despite Peter's confident assertion that he would lay down his life for Jesus, Jesus solemnly predicts that Peter will deny him three times before the cock crows.

Core Concepts

  • Humble ServiceJesus, as Lord and Master, washes his disciples' feet, setting an example of profound humility and service for them to emulate among themselves.
  • Prediction of BetrayalJesus foretells his betrayal by one of his own disciples, identifying Judas Iscariot through a specific action, thereby fulfilling scripture.
  • The New CommandmentJesus gives his disciples a foundational directive to love one another as he has loved them, establishing this mutual love as the identifying mark of his followers.
  • Glorification of the Son of ManAfter Judas's departure, Jesus speaks of his glorification and God's glorification through him, connecting his impending suffering and death with divine honor.
  • Peter's Denial ForetoldDespite Peter's fervent declaration of loyalty and willingness to die for Jesus, Jesus predicts that Peter will deny him three times before the cock crows, highlighting human frailty.
  • Spiritual CleansingJesus's washing of feet, while a physical act, carries a deeper spiritual meaning, signifying the ongoing need for cleansing for those who are already 'clean every whit'.
  • Satan's InfluenceThe chapter explicitly states that the devil put it into Judas's heart to betray Jesus, and later, that Satan entered Judas after he received the sop, underscoring the spiritual forces at play.