John 13 - New Spirit-Filled Life Bible

13:2 Whether or not the supper was the Last Supper or the Passover meal described by the other Gospels is immaterial to John’s emphasis on the lesson Jesus taught in the washing of the disciples’ feet.

13:5 Usually a servant performed the menial task of washing the guests’ feet, but since no servant was present and no one else assumed the role, Jesus used the occasion to teach a lesson in humility and selfless service.

13:10 The disciples of Christ already enjoyed a special relationship to Him. Therefore, what is needed is not another “bath” but cleansing from defilement contracted along the way. Not all refers to Judas.

13:13–17 Jesus was probably not seeking to institute a literal practice to be observed continually in the church, although some feel this to be the case. But He shows great concern that the meaning of true servanthood be well understood, that no one deem it beneath his dignity to perform the most menial of tasks for others. Ultimately, servanthood is a disposition of the heart and spirit, which expresses itself in concrete actions.

13:23 Although this disciple is not named, there is no reason to doubt that it was John.

13:25, 26 The context implies a private dialogue between John and Jesus, unheard by the others.

13:27 Satan entered does not mean Judas became demon-possessed. It means rather that he came under Satan’s direct and unmitigated influence.

13:30 The statement that it was night has not only a literal meaning but a symbolic/theological meaning as well. To leave the fellowship of Jesus is to exchange the light for inevitable darkness.

13:34, 35 Jesus picked up the theme of vv. 13–17, but now speaks of it as the new commandment to love one another. It is new because it presents a new standard—the love of Jesus. The servantlike, selfless love that Christians display toward one another witnesses to the world that they are true disciples. See text and note on Matt. 22:34–40.

13:36–38 Peter completely missed the main point of Jesus’ statement and was preoccupied instead with His departure and where He was going. But behind the overt question were likely the feelings of loss and abandonment. Life without the physical presence of Jesus was unthinkable for Peter.