Jesus Washes His Followers' Feet

13 ¹It was almost time for the Jewish Passover* festival. Jesus knew that it was time for him to leave this world. It was now time for Jesus to go back to the Father. Jesus had always loved those people in the world who were his. Now was the time Jesus showed them his love the most. ²Jesus and his followers were at the evening meal. The devil had already persuaded Judas Iscariot to turn against Jesus. (Judas was the son of Simon.) ³The Father had given Jesus power over everything. Jesus knew this. Jesus also knew that he had come from God. And he knew that he was going back to God. ⁴While they were eating, Jesus stood up and took off his robe. Jesus got a towel and wrapped the towel around his waist. ⁵Then Jesus poured water into a pitcher. He began to wash the followers' feet. He dried their feet with the towel that was wrapped around his waist. ⁶Jesus came to Simon Peter. But Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, you should not wash my feet." ⁷Jesus answered, "You don't know what I am doing now. But later you will understand." ⁸Peter said, "No! You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "If I don't wash your feet, then you cannot be one of my people." ⁹Simon Peter answered, "Lord, after you wash my feet, wash my hands and my head too!" ¹⁰Jesus said, "After a person has a bath, his whole body is clean. He needs only to wash his feet. And you men are clean, but not every one of you." ¹¹Jesus knew who would turn against him. That is why Jesus said, "Not every one of you is clean." ¹²Jesus finished washing their feet. Then he put on his clothes and went back to the table. Jesus asked, "Do you understand what I did for you? ¹³You call me 'Teacher.' And you call me 'Lord.' And this is right, because that is what I am. ¹⁴I am your Lord and Teacher. But I washed your feet [like a servant]. So you also should wash each other's feet. ¹⁵I did this as an example for you. So you should do [for each other] like I did for you. ¹⁶I tell you the truth. A servant is not greater than his master. The person that is sent to do something is not greater than the one that sent him. ¹⁷If you know these things, you will be happy if you do them. ¹⁸"I am not talking about all of you. I know the people I have chosen. But what the Scripture* said must happen: 'The man that shared my food has turned against me.'* ¹⁹I am telling you this now before it happens. Then when it happens you will believe that I AM.* ²⁰I tell you the truth. The person that accepts anyone I send also accepts me. And the person that accepts me also accepts the One who sent me."

Passover An important Jewish holy day. The Jews ate a special meal on this day every year to remember that God freed them from slavery in Egypt in the time of Moses. Scripture Part of the Holy Writings--Old Testament. 'has turned against me' Literally, 'has lifted up his heel against me' (Ps. 41:9). I AM This is like the name of God used in Ex. 3:14, but it can also mean "I am he (the Christ)."