1 Now just before the Feast of the Passover this incident took place. Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father; and having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
2 While supper was proceeding, the Devil having by this time suggested to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, the thought of betraying Him, Jesus,
3 although He knew that the Father had put everything into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was now going to God,
4 rose from the table, threw off His upper garments, and took a towel and tied it round Him.
5 Then He poured water into a basin, and proceeded to wash the feet of the disciples and to wipe them with the towel which He had put round Him.
6 When He came to Simon Peter, Peter objected. »Master,« he said, »are you going to wash my feet?«
7 »What I am doing,« answered Jesus, »for the present you do not know, but afterwards you shall know.«
8 »Never, while the world lasts,« said Peter, »shall you wash my feet.«»If I do not wash you,« replied Jesus, »you have no share with me.«
9 »Master,« said Peter, »wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.«
10 »Any one who has lately bathed,« said Jesus, »does not need to wash more than his feet, but is clean all over. And you my disciples are clean, and yet this is not true of all of you.«
11 For He knew who was betraying Him, and that was why He said, »You are not all of you clean.«
12 So after He had washed their feet, put on His garments again, and returned to the table, He said to them, »Do you understand what I have done to you?
13 You call me The Rabbi' and The Master,' and rightly so, for such I am.
14 If I then, your Master and Rabbi, have washed your feet, it is also your duty to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have set you an example in order that you may do what I have done to you.
16 In most solemn truth I tell you that a servant is not superior to his master, nor is a messenger superior to him who sent him.
17 If you know all this, blessed are you if you act accordingly.