John Calvin 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)

Lord, not my feet only. When Peter heard that he was ruined if he did not accept the cleansing which was offered to him by Christ, this necessity eventually proved to be a sufficient instructor to tame him. He therefore lays aside opposition and yields, but wishes to be entirely washed; indeed, he acknowledges that, as for himself, he is entirely covered with pollution, and therefore that it accomplishes nothing if he is only washed in one part.

But here too he errs through thoughtlessness, in treating as something of no value the benefit he had already received; for he speaks as if he had not yet obtained any pardon of sins or any sanctification by the Holy Spirit. For this reason, Christ justly reproves him, for he reminds him of what he had previously bestowed on him, at the same time reminding all his disciples, through this one man, that while they remembered the grace which they had received, they should consider what they still needed for the future.