13:1-5 What lesson do we learn from Jesus washing the disciples' feet?

Jesus was not instituting a foot-washing ordinance here that has to be practised by the church, but is demonstrating for us the true meaning of servant-hood. The act of washing the disciples' feet is to inspire us to love and honour each other.

It teaches us that we should be willing to do the lowliest service for each other and to prefer the least among us above ourselves (CP V12-17). The reason Jesus washed the disciples' feet was because just prior to that they had been arguing between themselves who was the greatest among them (CP Mt 20:20-28; Lu 22:24-30).

By washing the disciples' feet Jesus provided an example of the attitude we should adopt toward each other. This example demands mutual forbearance and love. We are to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain deceit, but in humility consider others better than ourselves (CP Ro 15:1-3; Php 2:1-5).

Neighbour in Ro 15:2 (KJV) means fellow-Christian, Christ is the model of conduct between Christians. We are to follow His example and not live for our own self-interests, but to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ (CP Ga 5:14; 6:2).

Neighbour in Ga 5:14 again means fellow-Christian the same as in Ro 15:2. Peter considered it beneath Christ's dignity to wash his feet and so tried to stop Him. Peter did not comprehend the significance of what Christ was doing until He explained it to the disciples in V12-17 after He had finished (CP Jn 13:6-11).

When Jesus said in V10-11 that the disciples were clean, but not all, He meant that they were all clean from sin except Judas, who was about to betray Him (CP V2). See also comments on Mt 20:20-28, 23:8-12; Jn 13:34-35; Ro 12:3, 15:1-3; Ga 5:13; Php 2:5-8, and author's studies How Christians are to Love One Another in his book Foundational Truths of the Christian Faith, and Christians' Obligations to One Another Financially in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2).

John:-