John Chapter 13

New Testament Gospel 38 Verses

What is John 13 about?

The theological Gospel — seven signs, the "I AM" declarations, and the proof that Jesus is the eternal Son of God. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto his Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon`s [son], to betray him,
3[Jesus], knowing that the Father had given all the things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto God,
4riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments; and he took a towel, and girded himself.
5Then he poureth water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples` feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6So he cometh to Simon Peter. He saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter.
8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10Jesus saith to him, He that is bathed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11For he knew him that should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12So when he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and sat down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13Ye call me, Teacher, and, Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another`s feet.
15For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you.
16Verily, verily, I say unto you, a servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them.
18I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled: He that eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me.
19From henceforth I tell you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am [he].
20Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
21When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in the spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22The disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
23There was at the table reclining in Jesus` bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24Simon Peter therefore beckoneth to him, and saith unto him, Tell [us] who it is of whom he speaketh.
25He leaning back, as he was, on Jesus` breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
26Jesus therefore answereth, He it is, for whom I shall dip the sop, and give it him. So when he had dipped the sop, he taketh and giveth it to Judas, [the son] of Simon Iscariot.
27And after the sop, then entered Satan into him. Jesus therefore saith unto him, What thou doest, do quickly.
28Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
29For some thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus said unto him, Buy what things we have need of for the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
30He then having received the sop went out straightway: and it was night.
31When therefore he was gone out, Jesus saith, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him;
32and God shall glorify him in himself, and straightway shall he glorify him.
33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say unto you.
34A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
36Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered, Whither I go, thou canst not follow now; but thou shalt follow afterwards.
37Peter saith unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee even now? I will lay down my life for thee.
38Jesus answereth, Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Now before the feast of the passover, etc.] This feast was instituted as a memorial of the deliverance of the children of Israel out of Egypt, and was an eminent type of Christ; and this passover was what Christ had greatly desired, it being his last, and when he was to express his great love to his people, mentioned here, by dying for them. It was two days before this feast, so the Persic version reads this text, at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, that the things recorded in this chapter were transacted; (see <402602>Matthew 26:2,6); when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“AT THE LAST SUPPER JESUS WASHES THE DISCIPLES' FEET--THE DISCOURSE ARISING THEREUPON. (John 13:1-20) when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father--On these beautiful euphemisms, see on Luk 9:31; Luk 9:51. having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end--The meaning is, that on the very edge of His last sufferings, when it might have been supposed that He would be absorbed in His own awful prospects, He was so far from forgetting "His own," who were to be left struggling "in the world" after He had "departed out of it to the Father" (Joh…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“The feast of the passover - See the notes at Matthew 26:2, Matthew 26:17. His hour was come - The hour appointed in the purpose of God for him to die, John 12:27. Having loved his own - Having given to them decisive and constant proofs of his love. This was done by his calling them to follow him; by patiently teaching them; by bearing with their errors and weaknesses; and by making them the heralds of his truth and the heirs of eternal life. He loved them unto the end - That is, he continued the proofs of his love until he was taken away from them by death. Instances of that love John proceeds immediately to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Before the feast - Namely, on Wednesday, in the paschal week. Having loved his own - His apostles, he loved them to the end - Of his life. John 13:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“13:1–20:31 This section focuses on the sign of the cross, the great climax of Jesus’ life, as well as the time Jesus spent preparing his disciples for it (chs 13–17). Jesus is glorified through each event of these momentous days. Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection all evoke responses of awe. On the cross, Jesus is elevated in glory before the world (12:32). 13:1-38 The setting is Jesus’ final Passover meal on Thursday evening, when Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus. John does not record the meal itself as the synoptic Gospels do (Matt 26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-20; see also 1 Cor 11:23-26).…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“the feast: Joh 6:4; Mat 26:2-5; Mar 14:1, Mar 14:2; Luk 22:1, Luk 22:2 knew: Joh 7:6, Joh 7:30, Joh 8:20, Joh 11:9, Joh 11:10, Joh 12:23, Joh 17:1, Joh 17:11, Joh 18:4; Mat 26:45; Luk 9:51; Luk 13:32, Luk 13:33, Luk 22:53 depart: Joh 13:3, Joh 14:28, Joh 16:5-7, Joh 16:28, Joh 17:5, Joh 17:11, Joh 17:13 having: Joh 13:34, Joh 15:9, Joh 15:10, Joh 15:13, Joh 15:14, Joh 17:9, Joh 17:10, Joh 17:14, Joh 17:16, Joh 17:26; Jer 31:3; Rom 8:37; Eph 5:25, Eph 5:26; Jo1 4:19; Rev 1:5 unto: Mat 28:20; Co1 1:8; Heb 3:6, Heb 3:14, Heb 6:11; Pe1 1:13 John 13:2”
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