John 13:5
What does John 13:5 mean?
A plain-English look at John 13:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 13:5 means
Jesus pours water into a basin and begins to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel. In that culture, footwashing was a necessary, humble service typically done by the lowliest servant. Jesus’ hands perform the task no one else thought to do. The act communicates cleansing and welcome, but also deeper fellowship with Him. It foreshadows the greater cleansing He will secure through His death. Each disciple receives personal attention; His love is not abstract. The towel that girded Him becomes the instrument of their comfort. The scene is quiet, deliberate, and shocking: the Lord kneels to make His followers clean.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then he poureth water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
KJV
King James Version · 1611After 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then he poureth water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then he put water into a basin and was washing the feet of the disciples and drying them with the cloth which was round him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862afterward he putteth water into the basin, and began to wash the feet of his disciples, and to wipe with the towel with which he was being girded.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752After that, he putteth water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890then he pours water into the washhand basin, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, and to wipe them with the linen towel with which he was girded.
Context
This verse completes the outward action that began in verse 4. Immediately, in verse 6, Jesus comes to Simon Peter, whose protest will draw out the spiritual significance of what Jesus is doing. The narrative slows to focus on the interaction between Jesus and Peter, allowing readers to grasp that this is more than courtesy. After that exchange, Jesus will explain the example for all the disciples (verses 12–17).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 13:8
Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
- Psalms 51:2
Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
- Genesis 19:2
and he said, Behold now, my lords, turn aside, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your way. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
- Revelation 7:14
And I say unto him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they that come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
- Exodus 29:4
And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tent of meeting, and shalt wash them with water.
- Ezekiel 36:25
And I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
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