John 13:12-20

Christian Standard Bible

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)

¹⁸ “I’m not speaking about all of you; I know those I have chosen.^(E) But the Scripture^(F) must be fulfilled: ^(G) The one who eats my bread^[b] has raised his heel against me.^{[c](H) 19} I am telling you now before it happens,^(I) so that when it does happen you will believe^(J) that I am he.^{(K) 20} Truly I tell you, whoever receives anyone I send receives me, and the one who receives^(L) me receives him who sent me.”