John 13:3

OLBGrk;

Our translating the Greek participle eidwv, knowing, (which properly signifies having known), createth a difficulty, viz. How Christ's knowledge of this, that the Father had given all things into his hand, should be assigned as a reason of, or motive to, his subsequent action of washing the feet of his disciples? The sense therefore must certainly be, though he knew; and so it doth not import a reason of his following action, but only signifieth Christ's great humiliation and condescension. Though he well enough knew, that all power was given him in heaven and earth, as in Matthew 28:18; that he was his disciples Lord, that he came from God, and was now going to God again; yet to show how much he loved his disciples, and to set them a pattern of humility, and teach them brotherly love, and that he came not in the estate wherein he yet was to be ministered unto, but to minister, Matthew 20:28.