John 13 - CSB Tony Evans Study Bible

13:1 John tells us that Jesus loved his own, a reference to his disciples. He had spent three years with the Twelve—teaching them, leading them, and praying for them.

13:2 In intending to betray Jesus, Judas had opened the door for the devil to put a specific idea into [his] heart.

13:3-5 Jesus took the humble role of a servant, washing the dirty feet of those who should have been washing his. Why? Because he came to serve (see Mark 10:45). To this servanthood mind-set, the Lord calls each one of us.

13:10 In other words, if you’re already saved, you don’t need to be saved again. You just need to address the dirty areas in your life so that you can stay clean. To maintain fellowship with the Lord, we must regularly come to him in confession and repentance. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

13:14-15 How does Jesus’s foot-washing command apply in our modern context? We are to serve people in the family of God—especially by helping them when things get dirty. Our service is most needed in the messiness of life where people are hurting and suffering.

13:18 Importantly, those he had chosen is a reference to those chosen for service, not for salvation.

13:26 To offer food was a sign of friendship; therefore, Jesus was extending a final offer of grace and mercy to the one who was about to betray him. Judas took the bread, but he rejected the more important offer.

13:27 Satan only entered him because Judas had invited him by rejecting Jesus and intending to betray him (see the note on 13:2).

13:31-32 The Son would glorify the Father, and the Father would glorify the Son (13:32); they would mutually advertise one another’s glory. Highlighting the greatness of God, in fact, is what Christians are called to as well. Everything we do—in thought, word, and deed—is to be done for the glory of God (see 1 Cor 10:31).

13:33 In a little while, Jesus would ascend to God the Father (see Acts 1:9).

13:34 Biblical love is the decision to compassionately, responsibly, and righteously pursue the well-being of another person. Love is a decision to seek another’s best, regardless of your feelings.

13:35 Notice that he didn’t say everyone would recognize his disciples by how much of the Bible they knew. Knowing the Bible is essential, but knowledge means nothing without love (see 1 Cor 13:1-3). A loveless Christian actually undermines the gospel. Why? Because, as John says elsewhere, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). How can people come to know the God who perfectly expresses love—both within the Trinity and to humanity—if his representatives don’t demonstrate love?

13:38 Jesus poured cold water on this fiery disciple because he wanted Peter to put his pride to death. He was talking a good game, but he wouldn’t be able to back it up with action (see 18:15-18, 25-27).