Gospel Light Christian Church Thru-The-Bible Series (4.4)

The Gospel Of John

John 13:1-38 - Read this Bible passage once through before referring to the notes below.

The Lord’s Supper

v.1 Jesus was to be the Passover Lamb for His people. Therefore, He must be crucified at the feast of the passover, in spite of the fact that the priests had said that He must not die on the feast day (MAR 14:2). [1]

v.2 A supper symbolises close union, familiarity, pleasure, satisfaction, joy, and fullness.[2]

v.3  Jesus' humble washing of His disciples' feet is all the more impressive, because He was fully aware that He was the second Person of the Holy Trinity.

v.4 It was customary for Jews to wash the feet of dinner-guests because their feet were soiled on the way to the dinner (LUK 7:44). This lowly task was usually performed by a servant. However, in this upper-room there was no servant present, so one of the disciples should have volunteered. Jesus waited to give them a chance to serve, but no one volunteered. Jesus laid aside His "garments” (plural), i.e., he was left with only His loin cloth on (as in JOH 19:23). This was the way a slave dressed. Jesus took a long towel and girded (i.e., wrapped) it around His waist, leaving the end loose to wipe the feet.

Jesus Washes the Disciple’s Feet

v.5 The disciples' feet stuck out beyond the couches on which they were reclining.

v.7 [3] Peter had failed to see that Jesus' humble feet-washing was an integral part of His ongoing humble service to them, which would shortly be most climaxed at Calvary. All of Jesus' life was one of service to His people. Only after Peter had received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Day (i.e., "hereafter") would he really appreciate all that Jesus' had done for him. We often do not fully grasp the significance of the events around us until much later.

v.8 Jesus' feet-washing was only one small part of His total service to His people. Therefore, if Peter would not accept Jesus' "easy" service of washing his feet, then how could he accept Jesus' "hard"' service of bearing his sins. And if Peter rejected Jesus' sufferings at Calvary then he would have no part with Jesus, i.e., would not be one of His children. Jesus' feet-washing also symbolised His washing of sins with His blood. Therefore, if Peter rejected Jesus' washing with His blood, then he would have no part with Jesus.

v.10 [4]  Dinner-guests usually took their bath before coming to dinner, so they needed only to have their feet washed when they entered the dining-hall. Similarly, Christians have had be guilt of sin removed when they received Christ as their Saviour, and need only to be sanctified (by confessing, cleansing of their conscience with Jesus' blood, and turning from their sins) whenever they sinned. It is impossible for a Christian to go through life in this world without defiling himself with sin. "Every whit” means "the whole man."

Jesus tells them that they are clean, but not all of them are clean (ie, Judas). He tells the disciples this, so that they would not be overly discouraged when they see a trusted fellow-disciple betray their Master. This statement must have confused the disciples at this point of time.

v.11 Jesus had washed the feet of one who would shortly betray Him to death - just as God graciously provides for those who hate Him.

v.12 Of course they knew that Jesus had washed their feet. but they did not know that (a) He was setting an example of humble service for them to follow (v. 15), (b) it symbolised Jesus' total service to His people (right down to their little needs), (c) the cleansing of the feet taught that when Christians sin, they need only to confess their sins and be washed in Jesus' blood. 

v.13 The disciples habitually called Jesus "Master'' and "Lord'" Jesus claimed that He was the "I am."

v.15 [5] This verse teaches clearly that Jesus' feet-washing is not an ordinance to obey, but rather an example of humble service one to another (which should also characterise every Christian's life). The service that Jesus' teaches here is not done to the poor, but to one another. It is very difficult to humble ourselves to contemporaries, therefore, Jesus teaches by example, rather than by word.

v.16 Since Jesus is willing humbly to serve, we should also because the servant is not greater than his lord. The second part of the verse is added, to warn those who are called to high-office (eg. archbishop) not to forget the One whom they claimed sent them washed His disciples' feet.

v.17 We often know that it is good to serve, but it is only when we do so, then will we be happy, because it is better to give than to receive. Knowledge of the truth without practising it is the character of Satan!

v.19 [6]  This was necessary to sustain their faith as they went through the terrible testing of their faith in the next few days. Jesus again claims that He is the "I am."

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

v.21 Jesus was troubled in spirit because, one whom He loved so dearly would soon betray Him.[7] Furthermore, He knew that His other disciples would soon be confused and discouraged. And He was troubled because He would soon suffer as He bore man’s sins. Jesus was 100% man with all the emotions of a man.

v.22 The news was so shocking that the disciples looked one on another with stunned silence. None of them suspected that there was a betrayer among them, and therefore, they were perplexed (ie, were doubting). And after some self-searching, they said "Lord, is it I?" (MAT 26:22). Even the hypocrite Judas after being "exposed" said "Master, is it I?"' (MAT 26:25). Jesus did not specify who it was (MAT 26:23) because He wanted the disciples to do some self-searching. It is needful for us to search our own hearts.

v.23 This disciple is very likely John.[8]

v.27 [9]  Jesus had given Judas many warnings but instead of repenting he hardened his heart at each warning until it had reached a point of '"no return." [10] Therefore Jesus gave up on Judas and said unto him. That thou doest do quickly.[11]

The New Commandment

v.32 [12] God the Father and God the Son, though two persons are one God. Therefore, when one is glorified, the other is also glorified. Since God the Father was glorified in Jesus' crucifixion. God the Father shall also strait way glorify Jesus in himself but raising Him from the dead.

v.34 [13] The commandment to love one's neighbour as oneself was already given in the Mosaic Law (LEV 19:18).[14]

v.35 The distinguishing feature of Christ's church is Christ-like love for each other. This is the feature most lacking from the church, because it is the most difficult Christian characteristic to counterfeit. Notice that Jesus does not name sound doctrine, gifts, miracles, attainments, power, or happiness because these are easily counterfeited by Satan and by men. Furthermore, Christ-like love among men is pleasant and attracts attention. Therefore; by this shall all men know that we are Christ's disciples.

v.37 [15] Though lacking in understanding. Peter is not lacking in devotion and zeal. However, he overestimates himself. So do the rest of the disciples (MAR 14:31). So do we all.

v.38 Instead of laying down his life for Jesus, Peter would deny Him thrice.

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Footnotes

[1] We are not told when Jesus was born but we are clearly told of the day that He was crucified.

Jesus, as God, knew that he would be crucified. It was for this very purpose that He came into the world. Therefore, the phrase "when Jesus knew that his hour was come" does not mean that He had just realised that He would die; but rather that He was now conscious of the nearest of the moment of death. One of Jesus' great sufferings was that He was always aware of the terrible sufferings that He would endure at Calvary. It is a great blessing that we are unaware of many of the sufferings that we will endure later in our lives.

Jesus speaks of His terrible death as His departure out of this world unto the Father. We will be able to endure great sufferings in this world if we realise that our lives on earth are temporary, and that we will soon depart from this miserable place unto the Father, unto eternal joy with Him. We will be able to face death when we realise that it is die entrance into eternal life.

Jesus had always loved His disciples. Jesus' love to sinners is the very core of the Gospel. He was going to leave them shortly, and they would soon feel forsaken by Him. Therefore, He clearly demonstrates His love to them (by His feet-washing, farewell-address, high-priestly prayer, and crucifixion) before He leaves them (i.e., he loved them unto the end). He loved them though He knew that they would soon forsake Him. He cared for them though He was about to face the most terrible sufferings. When we are having problems we do not care for others. Nothing can ever stop Jesus from loving us.

[2] The phrase "and supper being ended" is better translated "during supper." Generally, feet-washing was usually done at the beginning of supper. The Lord's ministry ends with a supper, and the first thing that will take place at His second coming will be “the marriage supper of the Lamb" (REV 19:9).

The phrase "the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot does not mean that Judas turned from Jesus at this point and became an apostate. Jesus had earlier accused Judas of being "the devil" (JOH 6:70). However, it was at this moment that Satan suggested to Judas that he should betray Jesus. Satan works by suggesting (i.e., he puts) evil thoughts directly into the minds of unsaved men, or by suggesting evil thoughts through other men, books, television, etc. Judas was one of the apostles who preached and did miracles, and yet he betrayed Jesus. We should not be surprised when a "'strong Christian" betrays Christ for money.

[3] v.6 The other disciples' reactions are not recorded. They were probably too embarrassed to say anything. However. Peter (the impulsive one who usually spoke before he thought) protested against Jesus' act.

[4] v.9 This impulsive overreaction is typical of Peter (MAT 14:28,30; 16:16,22; 26:33,70). Peter may have misunderstood Jesus' words and imagined that there was "power" in the washing, so he desired more. Many Christians, like Peter, have more love than knowledge.

[5]  v.14 Some Christians use this verse to teach feet-washing as a Biblical ordinance (like baptism, and the Lord's Supper).

[6] v.18 Jesus again repeats what He had said in verse 10. He quotes from PSA 41:9, where David describes his betrayal by Ahithophel. In any society, a betrayer is detested. Jesus said this to convict Judas, and encourage him to repent.

v.20 In their trials, they would be tempted to desert the humiliated Jesus. Furthermore, when they see Judas betray Jesus they would be discouraged. Therefore, Jesus reminds them that He is from God (i.e., the One that sent me), and that they were representatives (i.e., whomsoever I send) of the One sent from God.

[7] Judas had followed Jesus expecting some temporal advancement, but lately he had heard from Jesus that He would depart and that the disciples would be persecuted. Judas also knew that the Sanhedrin desired to arrest Jesus, but were frightened to do so when Jesus was among the Passover crowds because that would cause a tumult and incur the wrath of the Roman authorities. Furthermore the Sanhedrin could not wait till after the Passover to arrest Jesus because they thought that He would leave Jerusalem when the feast was over. Therefore, Judas offered to show them where they could arrest Jesus in private. He asked for thirty pieces of silver (ZEC 11:12), which was the equivalent of about five months' wages.

John does not record Jesus' institution of the Lord's Supper because it is well covered by the other Gospels.

Few things are as hurtful as being betrayed by one we love. Therefore, an ungrateful child is one of the greatest sorrows on earth. Jesus can sympathise with every hurt parent. Throughout Jesus' life. He was troubled and was indeed a "man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (ISA 53:3) because of the general unbelief of the Jews, the intense hatred of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the weakness and foolishness of His disciples.

[8] Jesus loved all His disciples (13:1), but for some unspecified reason He had a special love for John. They were reclining on their left side, on couches in Roman-style. John the disciple who leaned on Jesus' bosom, was the writer who revealed the most about the deep things of God. We need to be close to God to know the deep things of Him.

[9] v.24 The suspense was killing impatient Peter, and Peter seeing John lying within whispering distance of Jesus beckons to John to ask Jesus. Peter was not seated near Jesus. If he was the chief of the apostles, as the Romanists claim, he should have sat next to Him.

v.25 This was probably said quietly so that the others did not hear.

v.26 During the passover feast, it was customary for the head of the house to break bread, dip it into the broth of bitter herbs and offer it to the others. Prior to this, Jesus had left all the disciples guessing when He said "He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me" (MAT 26:23) because all of them had dipped into the dish! What Jesus had said in MAT 26:23 simply meant that one of the disciples would betray Him. But now Jesus identifies the betrayer to John, and John probably signalled to Peter that it was Judas. Jesus was also showing His kindness to Judas to convict him of his wickedness, and give him one last chance to repent. Judas was probably seated close to Jesus. It is possible for one who appears to be spiritually very close to Christ to be a betrayer.

[10] Earlier on (13:2) Satan had influenced Judas and he did not resist him, so Satan enters the "friendly" heart of Judas. Satan flees when he is resisted (JAM 4:7). Jesus tells Judas to speed things up knowing that He must be sacrificed on the Passover Day. Jesus was hastening His own sufferings. Jesus was also going to give His disciples His farewell message and pray for them in this upper room, and Judas' presence would dampen His spirit.

[11]  v.28 It is strange that John (and possibly Peter) who knew that it was Judas who would betray Jesus did not understand the intent of Jesus' statement to Judas. They were probably too stunned by the fact that a "good" disciple would be a betrayer!

v.29  From this verse we learn that Jesus did not perform miracles to obtain daily necessities, but used ordinary means to obtain them. Therefore, it is our duty to obtain our daily needs by ordinary means. Some Charismatics teach that a sick person should not seek medical care because it shows that he lacks faith in God's power. This verse teaches us that Jesus frequently gave money to the poor though He himself had little.

v.30 Judas realising that his plot is discovered, rushes off to inform the Sanhedrin before his whole plan is foiled. Furthermore, his conscience troubled him and he could no more eat with the Lord

[12]  v.31 The events that would lead to the crucifixion would now proceed very swiftly, and the crucifixion was such a certainty that Jesus spoke of it as if it had already taken place (i.e., now ....glorified). Jesus was glorified at His crucifixion; because there He demonstrated His obedience to the Father, His love for us, His power to overcome sin, etc. God's love, holiness, and justice is glorified in Jesus' crucifixion.

[13]  v.33  This is the only place in the Gospel where this affectionate term "little children" is used. The disciples were little immature children (spiritually-speaking) whom the Lord loved. Jesus had told the Jews that whither he went, they could not go (7:33, 8:21), but now He tells it to His disciples. He knew that they would be very perplexed when He was buried, and tells them this so that when it happened they would not seek Him.

[14] In fact, the Second Table of the Ten Commandments can be summed up in this one commandment. The newness of the commandment is that we should love one another as Jesus loved us, which is a lot more than how we love ourselves. Christ's love for us is a constant sacrificing love, that is in truth and wisdom. God expects us who have personally experienced Jesus' great love at Calvary to be able to love others more than ever. This is Jesus' last charge to His disciples, and therefore, was to be taken with extra care.

[15] v.36 Even Peter did not understand though Jesus had clearly spoken of His death, because Jesus' death was a fact that Peter did not want to "understand." Furthermore, Peter had the Jewish misconception of a Messiah who would overthrow the Romans. It is extremely difficult to teach people who have strong preconceived ideas about things. Peter probably thought that Jesus was going to hide from the Sanhedrin. Jesus did not answer Peter directly. Jesus tells Peter than he cannot follow Him now because it was not yet time for him to die. But Jesus told Peter that he would follow him afterwards. Jesus was telling Peter that he would also suffer like His Master (21:18,19).