Albert Barnes Commentary John 13:5

"Then he poureth water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples` feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded." — John 13:5 (ASV)

Began to wash. It was uniformly the duty of a servant to wash the feet of guests, 1 Samuel 25:41. This became a matter of necessity where they travelled without shoes and reclined on couches at meals. It should be remembered here that the disciples were not sitting at the table, as we do, but were lying with their feet extended from the table, so that Jesus could easily have access to them. See the notes on Matthew 23:6.