John 13:6 kjv
Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
John 13:6 nkjv
Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?"
John 13:6 niv
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
John 13:6 esv
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?"
John 13:6 nlt
When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
John 13 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Peter's Character/Misunderstanding | ||
| Matt 16:22 | Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord!” | Peter's typical resistance to Jesus's divine plan. |
| Matt 26:33 | Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You... | Peter's impulsiveness and self-confidence. |
| Luke 22:33 | But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You... | Peter's loyalty, yet a misunderstanding of his weakness. |
| Acts 10:14 | But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” | Peter's adherence to traditional purity laws. |
| Jesus' Humility/Servanthood | ||
| Phil 2:7 | but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men. | Jesus's profound kenosis and servant form. |
| Matt 20:28 | just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve... | Jesus's purpose: not to be served but to serve. |
| Luke 22:27 | For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? But I am among you as one who serves. | Jesus's self-identification as a servant. |
| Mark 10:45 | For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve... | The Son of Man's mission of service. |
| Isa 53:4 | Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows... | Prophetic image of the suffering servant. |
| Washing/Purity/Cleansing | ||
| Eph 5:26 | that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, | Spiritual cleansing through God's Word. |
| Titus 3:5 | not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration... | Washing of regeneration (spiritual birth). |
| Psa 51:2 | Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. | Plea for spiritual cleansing from sin. |
| Psa 51:7 | Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. | Symbolic act of cleansing and purification. |
| 1 John 1:7 | But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. | Continuous cleansing through Christ's blood. |
| Heb 10:22 | let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. | Spiritual purification for access to God. |
| Disciples' Misunderstanding | ||
| Luke 9:46 | Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be the greatest. | Disciples' focus on status and greatness. |
| John 16:12 | I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. | Jesus acknowledges disciples' inability to fully grasp truth. |
| Luke 24:25 | Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe... | Disciples' slowness to understand spiritual truths. |
| Servant Leadership | ||
| 1 Pet 5:2 | Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly... | Peter later emphasizes humble, willing service. |
| 1 Pet 5:3 | nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; | Warning against authoritative, non-serving leadership. |
| Matt 23:11 | But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. | Jesus' teaching on greatness through service. |
| 1 Cor 9:19 | For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more. | Paul's example of serving others for the Gospel. |
John 13 verses
John 13 6 Meaning
John 13:6 captures the profound shock and resistance of Simon Peter when Jesus, his Master and Lord, stoops to perform the highly menial and customary task of washing feet. Peter's rhetorical question, "Lord, dost thou wash my feet?", expresses utter disbelief and an ingrained human understanding of hierarchical status, clashing with Jesus's unprecedented demonstration of humble servanthood. It highlights Peter's initial struggle to comprehend the radical nature of Jesus's Kingdom and the spiritual implications of His divine humility.
John 13 6 Context
John chapter 13 opens in the immediate hours leading up to Jesus's crucifixion, during what is commonly known as the Last Supper. This intimate gathering marks Jesus's final profound teachings and acts for His disciples before His betrayal. Having expressed His deep love for them and knowing that His "hour had come," Jesus performs the extraordinary act of washing His disciples' feet. This action precedes the institution of the new commandment to love one another and prepares them for the nature of discipleship in His Kingdom. The Jewish cultural context dictates that foot-washing was a necessary but exceedingly lowly task performed by a servant, often the lowest-ranking, for guests arriving with dusty feet. For a master, particularly a revered teacher or "Lord" like Jesus, to perform such a deed for his disciples was utterly unthinkable and deeply counter-cultural. Peter's protest in verse 6 stems directly from this societal understanding of status and dignity, struggling to reconcile the lowliness of the act with the supreme authority and majesty of his Master.
John 13 6 Word analysis
- Then cometh he: (Greek: ἔρχεται, erkhetai) The Greek present tense emphasizes the immediate, direct action, almost as if the reader is watching it unfold. "He" refers to Jesus, and the phrasing suggests a deliberate movement towards Peter, highlighting the personal encounter.
- to Simon Peter: Peter is singled out, fitting his prominent and often vocal role among the disciples. Jesus directly approaches the one who typically takes the lead in speaking, knowing Peter's character.
- and Peter saith unto him,: (Greek: λέγει, legei) Peter's characteristic directness and quick verbal response. His reaction is immediate and outspoken.
- Lord,: (Greek: Κύριε, Kyrie) This is a title of high respect and acknowledgment of Jesus's authority, indicating Peter recognizes Jesus's superior status. Paradoxically, it's the very acknowledgment of Jesus's "Lordship" that makes the subsequent act incomprehensible and objectionable to Peter's human mind.
- dost thou: (Greek: σύ, sy) The pronoun "thou" (you) is emphatic in the original Greek. Peter stresses the "you," expressing intense shock and disbelief that Jesus, the divine Lord, would stoop to such a menial level. It implies, "Is it really you, my Lord, who is doing this? It's unfathomable!"
- wash: (Greek: νίπτεις, niptis) This verb specifically refers to washing parts of the body, such as hands or feet, often with the implication of cleansing from defilement or for comfort. It highlights the menial, everyday nature of the task.
- my feet?:: (Greek: μου πόδας, mou podas) Peter refers to his own feet, dirty from walking, underscoring the indignity of his Lord performing such a task on him, an act usually reserved for the lowest servant. The question mark reflects genuine incredulity rather than a true request for information.
- "Lord, dost thou wash my feet?": This entire rhetorical question encapsulates Peter's deeply ingrained understanding of societal hierarchy and his shock at Jesus completely subverting it. It reveals his misunderstanding of divine humility and the nature of spiritual authority, which for Jesus means self-sacrificial service, not domination. Peter views the act as an unconscionable role reversal that diminishes his Lord's dignity.
John 13 6 Bonus section
This verse encapsulates a pivotal moment revealing Peter's often impulsive and well-meaning but flawed understanding of Jesus's ministry and nature. Peter's initial protest echoes his earlier attempt to rebuke Jesus regarding His impending suffering (Matt 16:22), consistently resisting aspects of Christ's servanthood or passion that did not fit his preconceived notions of a triumphant Messiah. The scene also prophetically foreshadows Peter's later spiritual humbling—through his denial of Jesus—which ultimately makes him receptive to the true meaning of servanthood. The foot-washing, thus, becomes a living parable, not only of mutual Christian service but also of the profound spiritual cleansing and humble surrender necessary to "have part with" Christ (John 13:8).
John 13 6 Commentary
John 13:6 captures the dramatic confrontation between human expectation and divine revelation. Peter, with his earthly understanding of status and propriety, cannot reconcile the image of his revered Master, the Lord, performing the task of the lowest servant. His "Lord, dost thou wash my feet?" is not just a question but a profound protest, stemming from a mistaken desire to protect Jesus's dignity by upholding conventional social order. This initial resistance highlights Peter's yet-incomplete grasp of the Kingdom of God, where true greatness is defined by humility and sacrificial service, as demonstrated supremely by Jesus Himself. This act serves as a pivotal lesson, preceding Jesus's explicit teaching on love and mutual service among His followers. Peter’s inability to allow Jesus to serve him in this profound, humiliating way is tied to his yet-unrealized spiritual cleansing and participation in Christ’s redemptive work. It sets the stage for Jesus's deeper explanation of the washing's spiritual significance (Jn 13:8).