John 13: Jesus Washes Feet and Predicts Betrayal

Short answer: In John 13, Jesus washes his disciples' feet, predicts his betrayal by Judas, and commands his followers to love one another. He also foretells Peter's denial, revealing his divine knowledge and servant heart.

What John 13 says

The chapter opens with Jesus aware that his hour has come to depart from the world to the Father. Having loved his own, he loves them to the end. During supper, the devil has already put it into Judas's heart to betray him. Jesus, knowing the Father has given all things into his hands and that he came from God and is going to God, rises, lays aside his outer garments, takes a towel, and washes the disciples' feet. This act of humble service sets the tone for the entire passage. When he comes to Peter, Peter objects, but Jesus tells him that unless he washes him, Peter has no part with him. Peter then asks for a full washing, but Jesus explains that only the feet need washing; the rest is clean, though not all are clean, referring to Judas.

After washing their feet, Jesus puts his garments back on and asks if they understand what he has done. He calls himself Teacher and Lord, and says they are right. If he, their Lord and Teacher, has washed their feet, they ought to wash one another's feet. He has given them an example, and a servant is not greater than his master. He pronounces a blessing on those who know these things and do them. He then quotes Scripture about one who eats bread with him lifting up his heel against him, indicating his betrayer. He tells them this beforehand so that when it happens, they may believe that he is he. He also speaks of receiving those he sends as receiving him and the Father.

Jesus becomes troubled in spirit and testifies that one of them will betray him. The disciples look at one another, perplexed. The disciple whom Jesus loved is leaning against Jesus' breast. Simon Peter signals to him to ask who it is. Jesus answers that it is the one to whom he will give a piece of bread after dipping it. He dips the bread and gives it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. After the bread, Satan enters Judas. Jesus tells him to do quickly what he is going to do. No one at the table understands why Jesus says this; some think Judas, who kept the money box, is to buy things for the feast or give to the poor. Judas takes the morsel and goes out immediately. It is night.

When Judas has gone out, Jesus says that now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. God will glorify him in himself and will glorify him immediately. He calls them little children and tells them he will be with them a little longer. They will seek him, but where he is going, they cannot come, as he told the Jews. He gives a new commandment: to love one another as he has loved them. By this everyone will know they are his disciples, if they have love for one another. Simon Peter asks where he is going. Jesus answers that Peter cannot follow now but will follow afterward. Peter declares he will lay down his life for Jesus. Jesus predicts that the rooster will not crow until Peter denies him three times.

Verses that carry the chapter

• “Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” (John 13:1) — This verse sets the stage by showing Jesus' full awareness of his coming departure and his steadfast love for his own to the end. It frames the entire chapter as an act of love leading to the cross.
• “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14) — Here Jesus draws the practical application from his foot washing: if he, their Lord and Teacher, has served them, they must serve one another. It establishes humble service as a mark of discipleship.
• “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.” (John 13:34) — Jesus gives a new commandment to love one another as he has loved them. This love is to be the distinguishing sign of his disciples, reflecting the self-giving love he has just demonstrated.
• “Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.” (John 13:38) — Jesus predicts Peter's threefold denial before the rooster crows, showing his foreknowledge and the weakness of human resolve. It contrasts Peter's bold claim with the coming failure, highlighting the need for grace.

Gospel connection

John 13 sits at the heart of the gospel story, as Jesus moves toward the cross. His washing of the disciples' feet embodies the humility and servanthood that will culminate in his sacrificial death. The prediction of betrayal and Peter's denial shows that even the closest followers fail, yet Jesus loves them to the end. The new commandment to love one another reflects the love that will be poured out at Calvary, creating a community defined by self-giving love. The glorification language points to the cross as the means by which God is glorified and the Son is glorified, a theme that runs through John's Gospel. This chapter connects to the wider biblical narrative of redemption, where the servant King gives his life for his people and calls them to follow his example.

Application

This chapter calls the reader to humble service, following Jesus' example of washing feet. It challenges any sense of superiority and invites a posture of serving others, even in menial ways. It also warns against betrayal and denial, urging self-examination and reliance on God's grace rather than self-confidence. The new commandment to love one another as Jesus has loved us is a daily call to sacrificial love, not just affection. Readers are asked to trust Jesus' foreknowledge and sovereignty, even when they do not understand his ways, and to find blessing in doing what he teaches, not merely knowing it.

Biblical fidelity check

The chapter does not claim that Judas was forced to betray Jesus; it says the devil put it into his heart, but Judas acted. It does not explain why Jesus washed feet as a ritual for church practice; it presents it as an example of humble service. It does not say Peter lost his salvation; Jesus predicts denial but also says Peter will follow later. It does not specify the exact timing of the new commandment's fulfillment; it is given for the disciples to obey. The text is silent on what Jesus wrote on the ground or other details not included here. It does not claim that foot washing is a sacrament, only an example.

Questions for study

1. Why does Jesus wash the disciples' feet, and what does this reveal about his identity and mission?
2. How does Peter's reaction to Jesus washing his feet reflect our own struggles with receiving grace and service?
3. What does Jesus mean when he says that not all of the disciples are clean, and how does this relate to Judas?
4. In what ways does the new commandment to love one another challenge our typical understanding of love?
5. How does Jesus' prediction of Peter's denial encourage us when we fail, and what hope does it offer?

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Related studies: John 10 Bible Study, John 11 Bible Study, John 12 Bible Study, John 16 Bible Study.

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FAQ

Why did Jesus wash the disciples' feet?

Jesus washed their feet to demonstrate humble service and to give them an example to follow. He showed that even the Lord and Teacher serves others, so his disciples should do the same.

What does it mean that Satan entered Judas after he took the bread?

It indicates that Judas fully yielded to evil, and Satan took control of his actions. This led to Judas betraying Jesus, as Jesus had foretold.

What is the new commandment Jesus gives?

Jesus commands his disciples to love one another as he has loved them. This self-giving love is to be the mark of his followers, showing the world they belong to him.