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John 13

Chapter guide

Foot Washing, Betrayal, and the New Commandment

John 13 begins the final-night teaching with Jesus washing his disciples' feet, then moves through Judas' betrayal and departure to Jesus' command that the disciples love one another as he has loved them, before ending with the prediction of Peter's denial.

Overview

Knowing that his hour has come, Jesus performs the role of a servant and washes the disciples' feet. Peter resists, then overcorrects, and Jesus explains both the deeper necessity of receiving what he does and the example the disciples are expected to follow in their relationships with one another.

The atmosphere then darkens as Jesus identifies the betrayer and Judas leaves. Only after the departure does Jesus speak of the Son of Man being glorified and give the new commandment. Peter responds to the announcement of Jesus' departure with confidence about his own loyalty, and the chapter ends with Jesus predicting that Peter will deny him three times.

How the chapter moves

  1. 1–20 · Jesus washes the disciples' feet

    The foot washing becomes both a sign of Jesus' self-giving posture and a model of the kind of service expected among his followers.

    Sources 1
  2. 21–30 · The betrayer is identified

    Jesus becomes troubled, identifies the betrayer through the shared meal, and Judas leaves into the night.

    Sources 1
  3. 31–35 · Glory and the new commandment

    With betrayal in motion, Jesus speaks of glorification and commands the disciples to love one another according to the pattern of his love.

    Sources 1
  4. 36–38 · Peter's confidence and coming denial

    Peter insists he will lay down his life for Jesus, but Jesus answers with a prediction of three denials before the rooster crows.

    Sources 1

Major themes

Useful connections

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