John Chapter 13

Christ washes his disciples' feet. The treason of Judas. The new commandment of love.

13:1. Before the festival day of the pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out of this world to the Father: having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

Before the festival day of the pasch. . .This was the fourth and last pasch of the ministry of Christ, and according to the common computation, was in the thirty-third year of our Lord: and in the year of the world 4036. Some chronologers are of opinion that our Saviour suffered in the thirty-seventh year of his age: but these different opinions on this subject are of no consequence.

13:2. And when supper was done (the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him),

13:3. Knowing that the Father had given him all things into his hands and that he came from God and goeth to God,

13:4. He riseth from supper and layeth aside his garments and, having taken a towel, girded himself.

13:5. After that, he putteth water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

13:6. He cometh therefore to Simon Peter. And Peter saith to him: Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

13:7. Jesus answered and said to him: What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

13:8. Peter saith to him: Thou shalt never wash my feet, Jesus answered him: If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with me.

13:9. Simon Peter saith to him: Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.

13:10. Jesus saith to him: He that is washed needeth not but to wash his feet, but is clean wholly. And you are clean, but not all.

13:11. For he knew who he was that would betray him; therefore he said: You are not all clean.

13:12. Then after he had washed their feet and taken his garments, being set down again, he said to them: Know you what I have done to you?

13:13. You call me Master and Lord. And you say well: for so I am.

13:14. If then I being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet.

13:15. For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.

13:16. Amen, amen, I say to you: The servant is not greater than his lord: neither is the apostle greater than he that sent him.

13:17. If you know these things, you shall be blessed if you do them.

13:18. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen. But that the scripture may be fulfilled: He that eateth bread with me shall lift up his heel against me,

13:19. At present I tell you, before it come to pass: that when it shall come to pass, you may believe that I am he.

13:20. Amen, amen, I say to you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me: and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

13:21. When Jesus had said these things, he was troubled in spirit; and he testified, and said: Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you shall betray me.

13:22. The disciples therefore looked one upon another, doubting of whom he spoke.

13:23. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

13:24. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him and said to him: Who is it of whom he speaketh?

13:25. He therefore, leaning on the breast of Jesus, saith to him: Lord, who is it?

13:26. Jesus answered: He it is to whom I shall reach bread dipped. And when he had dipped the bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

13:27. And after the morsel, Satan entered into him. And Jesus said to him: That which thou dost, do quickly.

That which thou dost, do quickly. . .It is not a license, much less a command, to go about his treason: but a signification to him that Christ would not hinder or resist what he was about, do it as soon as he pleased: but was both ready and desirous to suffer for our redemption.

13:28. Now no man at the table knew to what purpose he said this unto him.

13:29. For some thought, because Judas had the purse, that Jesus had said to him: Buy those things which we have need of for the festival day: or that he should give something to the poor.

13:30. He therefore, having received the morsel, went out immediately. And it was night.

13:31. When he therefore was gone out, Jesus said: Now is the Son of man glorified; and God is glorified in him.

13:32. If God be glorified in him, God also will glorify him in himself: and immediately will he glorify him.

13:33. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek me. And as I said to the Jews: Whither I go you cannot come; so I say to you now.

13:34. A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

13:35. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.

13:36. Simon Peter saith to him: Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered: Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now: but thou shalt follow hereafter.

13:37. Peter saith to him: Why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thee.

13:38. Jesus answered him: Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Amen, amen, I say to thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou deny me thrice.