Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 13:9

"Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." — John 13:9 (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.