12 When he had washed their feet and (A)put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, (B)“Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 (C)You call me (D)Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, (E)you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, (F)that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, (G)a servant[a] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, (H)blessed are you if you do them.

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Footnotes

  1. John 13:16 Or bondservant, or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)

The Meaning of Foot Washing

12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.(A) 15 For I have given you an example,(B) that you also should do just as I have done for you.

16 “Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master,[a](C) and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 13:16 Or lord

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’(A) and ‘Lord,’(B) and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.(C) 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.(D) 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master,(E) nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.(F)

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