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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The Meaning of Footwashing

12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His robe, He reclined[a] again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for 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 “I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master,[b](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. John 13:12 At important meals the custom was to recline on a mat at a low table and lean on the left elbow.
  2. John 13:16 Or lord