John 13:10
What does John 13:10 mean?
A plain-English look at John 13:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 13:10 means
Jesus answers that the one who has bathed does not need to wash except for his feet, but is completely clean; and He adds, “ye are clean, but not all.” He describes two realities. First, there is a decisive cleansing that makes a person clean as a whole—represented by the “bath.” Second, there is the continual need for partial washing as we walk through a dirty world—represented by washing feet. The disciples, by faith in Him, share in that fundamental cleansing. Yet there is an exception in the room. External washing does not equal inward purity. Jesus’ word both comforts the eleven and warns that proximity to Him does not guarantee sharing in His life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Jesus said to him, He who is bathed has need only to have his feet washed and then he is clean all over: and you, my disciples, are clean, but not all of you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus saith to him, `He who hath been bathed hath no need save to wash his feet, but he is clean altogether; and ye are clean, but not all;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus saith to him: He that is washed needeth not but to wash his feet, but is clean wholly. And you are clean, but not all.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus says to him, He that is washed all over needs not to wash save his feet, but is wholly clean; and ye are clean, but not all.
Context
This explanation responds to Peter’s eagerness in verse 9 and sets a theological frame for the act. John immediately connects the “not all” to Judas’ coming betrayal in verse 11. After completing the washing, Jesus will resume His place and interpret the whole scene as an example they must follow (verses 12–17). The distinction between being clean and needing continued washing also undergirds the later call to love one another in a fallen world.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Leviticus 16:28
And he that burneth them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.
- Numbers 19:7
Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even.
- Numbers 19:19
and the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify him; and he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even.
- Ephesians 4:22
that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit;
- 1 John 1:7
but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
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