Matthew Henry Commentary John 13:1-17

"Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto his Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon`s [son], to betray him, [Jesus], knowing that the Father had given all the things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto God, riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments; and he took a towel, and girded himself. Then he poureth water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples` feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. So he cometh to Simon Peter. He saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 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. For he knew him that should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 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? Ye call me, Teacher, and, Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another`s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, a servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them." — John 13:1-17 (ASV)

Our Lord Jesus has a people in the world that are His own; He has purchased them, and paid dearly for them, and He has set them apart for Himself. They devote themselves to Him as a peculiar people. Those whom Christ loves, He loves to the end. Nothing can separate a true believer from the love of Christ. We do not know when our hour will come; therefore, what we have to do in constant preparation for it, ought never to be left undone.

What way of access the devil has to human hearts we cannot tell. But some sins are so exceedingly sinful, and there is so little temptation to them from the world and the flesh, that it is clear they are directly from Satan. Jesus washed His disciples' feet, that He might teach us to think nothing beneath us, in which we may promote God's glory and the good of our brethren. We must apply ourselves to duty, and must lay aside everything that would hinder us in what we have to do.

Christ washed His disciples' feet, that He might signify to them the value of spiritual washing, and the cleansing of the soul from the pollutions of sin. Our Lord Jesus does many things of which even His own disciples do not for the present know the meaning, but they will know afterward. We see in the end the kindness in events which seemed most adverse. And it is not humility, but unbelief, to reject the offers of the gospel, as if too rich to be made to us, or too good news to be true.

All those, and only those, who are spiritually washed by Christ, have a part in Christ. All whom Christ owns and saves, He also justifies and sanctifies. Peter more than submits; he begs to be washed by Christ. How earnest he is for the purifying grace of the Lord Jesus, and the full effect of it, even upon his hands and head! Those who truly desire to be sanctified, desire to be sanctified throughout, to have the whole person, with all its parts and powers, made pure.

The true believer is thus washed when he receives Christ for his salvation. See then what ought to be the daily care of those who through grace are in a justified state: to wash their feet, that is, to cleanse themselves from daily guilt, and to watch against everything defiling. This should make us more cautious. From yesterday's pardon, we should be strengthened against this day's temptation.

And when hypocrites are discovered, it should be no surprise or cause us to stumble. Observe the lesson Christ taught here. Duties are mutual; we must both accept help from our brethren and offer help to our brethren. When we see our Master serving, we cannot but see how unbecoming it is for us to domineer. And the same love which led Christ to ransom and reconcile His disciples when they were enemies, still influences Him.