Charles Ellicott Commentary John 13:4

"riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments; and he took a towel, and girded himself." — John 13:4 (ASV)

He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments.—Compare Notes on Luke 22 and following. We there read of a strife among them which of them should be accounted the greatest. It is placed by St. Luke after the Supper; but our Lord’s words, I am among you as he that serveth, point almost certainly to a connection with this parabolic act.

There had been, we may well think, some self-assertion in acts or omissions, which He by His act rebukes. They may have claimed, each above his brother, the place of honour at the table, or it may be that no one had offered the customary refreshment of water for the feet, before sitting down to eat (Luke 7:44).

We cannot say what was the immediate cause which suggested His act, but if we attempt to realize the whole scene, we must believe that there was in the disciples themselves some such cause. The garment laid aside would be the outer garment, which would impede His action, leaving the tunic, which was the ordinary dress of a servant.

And took a towel, and girded himself.—This was itself a mark of the servant’s position, and was meant to signify His assumption of the servant’s work. The successive minute details of this picture carry with them their own authenticity.