IT WAS NOW THE DAY BEFORE. McGarvey says this is Thursday, April 6, 30 A.D. [by the corrected calendar]. This was to be the last night of Jesus' life. _Jesus knew that his hour had come._ This introduces the remaining part of John's Gospel. John emphasizes the LOVE which motivated Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE AT SUPPER. The supper has just been served, and they are ready to begin eating. The Expositor's Greek Testament says: "Feet-washing, pleasant and customary before a meal, would have been disagreeable and out of place in the course of it." Jesus rose from the table, washed the feet, then sat dow... [ Continue Reading ]
COMPLETE POWER. John mentions this to point out that Jesus fully knew who and what he was, as he washes their feet.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO JESUS ROSE FROM THE TABLE. No word of explanation! Something is unusual here! This is not some new _rite,_ but a deep spiritual lesson. (1) The disciples expected the immediate creation of the Kingdom, That is, they thought Jesus would declare himself King, and they would be high ranking governme... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE YOU GOING TO WASH MY FEET, LORD? You??? The others sit in amazed silence!... [ Continue Reading ]
YOU WILL NEVER! He cannot allow his Lord to do such a thing! IF I DO NOT. This implies a deeper spiritual meaning. Compare Revelation 1:5-6.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOEVER HAS TAKEN A BATH. Compare note on John 11:55. They had all made themselves _ritually clean._ EXCEPT FOR HIS FEET. Their feet were dusty from walking. [_Johnson_ sees in this: "HE WHO IS ONCE cleansed by the blood of Christ only needs, after this, to come to Christ for partial cleansing; for... [ Continue Reading ]
DO YOU UNDERSTAND? Jesus had used an ordinary thing, a custom, to teach them. He asks this question to point out the fact that they must look for some unusual meaning in what he has just done.... [ Continue Reading ]
YOU CALL ME TEACHER AND LORD. The disciple should not be ashamed to do what his Lord has done. SHOULD WASH EACH OTHER'S FEET. _"Be eager to show respect for one another"_ (Romans 12:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SET AN EXAMPLE FOR YOU. Not a _rite,_ but an example! They are to be eager to show respect to each other, in a humble, loving spirit. To be the _greatest,_ forget yourself and serve others!... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YOU PUT IT INTO PRACTICE! That is, if you understand the lesson I have acted out for you, and will always show this _spirit_ in your conduct.... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT ALL OF YOU. One is a traitor! He does not share in the blessing of John 13:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE IT HAPPENS. That is, do not let this traitor's action destroy your faith in me. I AM WHO I AM. See note _on_ John 8:58.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WAS DEEPLY TROUBLED. Because one of his friends was a traitor. See Psalms 41:9, which is considered a prophecy of this. On this prediction, see notes on Matthew 26:20-25. ONE OF THE DISCIPLES. This is John himself. WHOM JESUS LOVED. John, not Peter, was the closest friend to Jesus. WHO IS IT, LOR... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WENT OUT AT ONCE. Matthew gives this order of events: (1) the Passover supper; (2) Judas revealed; (3) the Lord's Supper. John does not tell us about the Lord's Supper, but simply mentions Judas going out.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE SON OF MAN'S GLORY IS REVEALED. His mission on earth is almost complete. God would be glorified in the events of the Cross.... [ Continue Reading ]
A NEW COMMANDMENT. _So you must love one another._ This is _new_ because the love of Christ's friends for Christ's sake was [and is] a new thing in the world. It is new in _kind,_ rather than _degree._ It is the _kind_ of love which Christ has for his people.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN ALL WILL KNOW. Love [AGAPE] will _identify_ those who are in fact his disciples! In the early centuries, unbelievers would say; "See how those Christians love one another!... [ Continue Reading ]
SIMON PETER ASKED HIM. For notes on Peter's denial of Christ, see Matthew 26:31-35.... [ Continue Reading ]