John 13:1-17

The Washing of the Feet: A Lesson in Humility (John 13:1).

Two major lessons come out from this passage. The first is that of the example that Jesus was giving of true humility in love and service. He stressed that His disciples were similarly to behave as He has (John 13:13). The second is what is to be learned from His statement to Peter about the need for those who have already been bathed only to wash their feet. It was indicating that He was the source both of their initial cleansing and of their daily cleansing, and that the former was permanent in its effectiveness. Once a person has been truly cleansed by Him the effectiveness of that cleansing is permanent. All that is then required is to deal with daily sins as they occur.

‘13:1 ‘Now Jesus, knowing before the Feast of the Passover that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in this world, loved them to the end (or to the uttermost).'

‘Before the Feast of the Passover.' It is clear from the mention of this that there is intended to be a close connection between the death of Jesus and the significance of the killing of the Passover lamb. This significance is brought out in the other Gospels by the meaning Jesus gives to the drinking of the Passover wine, as a participation in the New Covenant through His blood, after the consumption of the Passover lamb. John brings it out by continually indicating a close connection between His impending hour and the Passover. Jesus knew at this particular Passover that ‘His hour had come'. This was why He had come into the world, in order to be the Lamb of God (John 1:29). And He was fully aware of what lay before Him.

‘Knowing that His hour was come.' In the light of the fact that His hour had come He took the next step in His self-abasement. He would reveal Himself as the One Who was the Servant, Who would give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

So in the face of the unbelievable suffering to come He turned His thoughts, not to Himself, but to His disciples, whom He had loved constantly. They were His constant companions and He treasured them. Now He would reveal His love for them to its fullest extent. In the hour of His trial He would not allow Himself to be taken up with His own thoughts but would take time to reveal to them the inner secrets of God.

Whether we translate ‘loved them to the end' i.e. His love did not waver, or ‘loved them to the uttermost' i.e. showed His love even more fully, the meaning is the same. His love flowed out to them in depth. (Both are equally possible, compare 1 Thessalonians 2:16, and indeed the double meaning is probably intentional)