Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 13:12

"So when he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and sat down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?" — John 13:12 (ASV)

A second lesson Jesus wished to impart to the disciples by this act was one of love and humble service. His question, “Do you understand what I have done for you?” contrasts with his remonstrance of Peter in v.7. The discernment of the disciples developed slowly. It took them a long time to begin to comprehend the intensity of Jesus’ love for them and the nature of his humility in dealing with them. “Teacher” and “Lord” are both titles of respect that placed Jesus on a level above the disciples. Jesus went on to emphasize the fact that his actions as their leader should set the pattern for dedicated living . The concept of the servant-master relationship appears frequently in Jesus’ teaching.