John 13 5

John 13:5 kjv

After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

John 13:5 nkjv

After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

John 13:5 niv

After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

John 13:5 esv

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

John 13:5 nlt

and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

John 13 verses

John 13 5 Meaning

In John 13:5, Jesus performs the lowest task of foot washing for His disciples. This act encapsulates His ultimate humility, love, and servant leadership, fundamentally re-defining power and authority within His Kingdom. It serves as both a prophetic symbol of spiritual cleansing through His sacrifice and a profound example for His followers to emulate in service to one another.

John 13 5 Context

John 13 opens the "Farewell Discourse" section of John's Gospel, occurring on the evening of the Last Supper, shortly before Jesus' crucifixion. This moment follows the prediction of His betrayal (Jn 13:2), but precedes Peter's denial. The disciples, despite witnessing Jesus' power and wisdom, still clung to earthly expectations of His kingdom, often arguing about who would be the greatest (Lk 22:24). Into this atmosphere of internal dispute and a misunderstanding of spiritual authority, Jesus, "knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God" (Jn 13:3), deliberately embarks on this profound act of humble service. Culturally, foot washing was the lowest task, performed by household slaves for arriving guests after dusty journeys; no host or teacher would ever perform it. By performing this, Jesus subverts every expectation of status and power, establishing a revolutionary paradigm for leadership and community within His Kingdom.

John 13 5 Word analysis

• Then He poured (ἐκβάλλει - ekballei) water (ὕδωρ - hydōr): The verb ἐκβάλλει often means "to cast out" or "to throw out" with force. While simply meaning "poured out" here, its usual intensity hints at Jesus' deliberate, purposeful action. It was a conscious, decisive step taken with authority, not a hesitant one, despite the lowly nature of the act. The presence of water is fundamental to the act, highlighting the common ritual of cleansing.
• into a basin (νιπτῆρα - niptēra): A niptēra was a common household washing bowl, unglamorous and functional. Jesus uses the ordinary to perform the extraordinary, dignifying the mundane through humble service.
• and began (ἤρξατο - ērxato) to wash (νίπτειν - niptein): The Greek ἤρξατο indicates that Jesus initiated the action; it wasn't a spontaneous or accidental event. It was a deliberate commencement of service, underscoring its instructional and symbolic significance. Νίπτειν specifically means "to wash feet" or "hands," distinct from λούω which implies a full body bath (Jn 13:10, where Peter asks for a full bath, highlighting the distinction).
• the disciples' feet (τῶν ποδῶν τῶν μαθητῶν - tōn podōn tōn mathētōn): Feet, as the lowest and often dirtiest part of the body, represent vulnerability, daily grime, and humble human experience. In ancient Israel, roads were dusty, and sandals offered little protection; feet would be thoroughly soiled. This focus emphasizes the depth of humility required for the act. Μαθητῶν (disciples) specifies the recipients, those whom He was training to lead His future church, making the lesson direct and personal for them.
• and to wipe them (ἐκμάσσειν - ekmassein): The verb ἐκμάσσειν means "to wipe thoroughly" or "to dry completely." This detail signifies Jesus' thoroughness and completeness in His service, not a perfunctory act but one done with full care. It’s not enough to simply wash; the task is finished properly.
• with the towel (τῷ λεντίῳ - tō lentiō): Λέντιον (towel) is a cloth used specifically for wiping and drying, as typically worn by servants.
• with which He was girded (ὃ ἦν διεζωσμένος - ho ēn diezōsmenos): This phrase connects directly back to John 13:4, where Jesus "took a towel and girded Himself" (διεζώσατο). The fact that He used the very same towel with which He had prepared for service, reinforcing the continuity of His humble attire and the direct performance of the task. It emphasizes that this was not merely an idea of humility, but a practical, visible demonstration using the attire of a servant.

John 13 5 Bonus section

The profound act of foot washing challenges the contemporary philosophical and religious ideals of power prevalent in both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures. In the Roman world, dignity and status were paramount; a person of rank would never lower themselves. Even within Judaism, teachers were revered, never serving their students in such a way. Jesus' action is a deliberate reversal of societal norms, an "upside-down" kingdom principle. It implies a voluntary divestment of privilege (kenosis) and foreshadows the ultimate servant act: His crucifixion. Furthermore, while the foot washing is a potent symbolic act, it is not depicted as an ongoing sacramental ritual for the church in the same manner as baptism or the Lord's Supper, but rather as an example to follow in character and practical service (Jn 13:15). The "washing" aspect points to ongoing spiritual purity, while the "serving" aspect demands a life of humble, mutual ministry within the community of faith.

John 13 5 Commentary

John 13:5 captures Jesus, the divine Lord, performing a deeply humiliating and utterly selfless act. Knowing His impending return to glory, He nevertheless humbles Himself to the role of a slave, washing the dusty feet of His disciples—those who had just disputed greatness among themselves. This singular event serves as a living parable. First, it symbolizes the spiritual cleansing and daily purification that believers need through His work (as further explained in 13:8-10), signifying their fellowship and inheritance in Him. Second, and crucially for the disciples then and believers now, it models radical servant leadership, epitomizing the "new commandment" to love and serve one another with unparalleled humility. It redefines what it means to be great in the Kingdom of God, shifting focus from hierarchical status to self-sacrificial service.