into a bason Better, into the bason, which stood there for such purposes, the large copper bason commonly found in oriental houses.

began to wash Began is not a mere amplification as in the other Gospels (Matthew 11:7; Matthew 26:22; Matthew 26:37; Matthew 26:74; Mark 4:1; Mark 6:2; Mark 6:7; Mark 6:34; Mark 6:55; Luke 7:15; Luke 7:24; Luke 7:38; Luke 7:49; &c. &c.), and in the Acts (Acts 1:1; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:18; Acts 2:26, &c.). The word occurs nowhere else in S. John, and here is no mere periphrasis for -washed." He began to wash, but was interrupted by the incident with S. Peter. With whom He began is not mentioned: from very early times some have conjectured Judas.

Contrast the mad insolence of Caligula quosdam summis honoribus functos … ad pedes stare succinctos linteo passus est. Suet. Calig.xxvi. Linteumin a Greek form is the very word here used for towel.

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