Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 13:10

"Jesus saith to him, He that is bathed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all." — John 13:10 (ASV)

Peter, mistaking Jesus’ veiled figure for the literal act, expressed his devotion by asking for a bath. Separation from Jesus was abhorrent to him. Jesus reminded him that a person once bathed needed to wash only his feet. “You are clean, though not every one of you” gives the clue to the interpretation of this action. One of the disciples had consistently refused Jesus’ spiritual ministration. The others, who had been loyal though sometimes slow to understand, needed only occasional correction.