Scofield Reference Bible Notes
John 13

Jhn 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

before the feast of the passover

For order of events during the night of the last passover, see Scofield Matthew 26:20, note.

his hour was come

Jhn 7:8; 12:23; 17:1.

world

i.e. earth.

he loved them

Jhn 13:34; Jhn 10:11, 28-30; Rom 8:35-39.

unto the end

Or, to the uttermost.

Jhn 13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;

supper being ended

Greek during supper.

devil

diabolos. Scofield Revelation 20:10, note.

Jhn 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

the Father had given all things into his hands

Jhn 5:20-23; 17:2.

he was come from God

Jhn 8:42; 16:28.

went to God

Jhn 17:11; 20:17.

Jhn 13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

laid aside his garments

Luk 22:27; Phl 2:7-8.

Jhn 13:5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

he poureth water into a bason

Eph 5:26.

Jhn 13:6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

See Scofield Matthew 3:14.

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

What I do thou knowest not now

Jhn 13:12, 36; Jhn 12:16; Heb 12:11.

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

wash thee not

Exo 30:17-21.

no part with me

Gen 35:2-3; Eph 4:30; 1Jo 2:1-2.

Jhn 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

washed

Literally bathed. The Greek word signifies a complete ablution. "Wash" is another word.

needeth not save to wash his feet

The underlying imagery is of an oriental returning from the public baths to his house. His feet would contract defilement and require cleansing, but not his body. So the believer is cleansed as before the law from all sin "once for all" (Heb 10:1-12), but needs ever to bring his daily sins to the Father in confession, that he may abide in unbroken fellowship with the Father and with the Son (1Jo 1:1-10). The blood of Christ answers forever to all the law could say as to the believer's guilt, but he needs constant cleansing from the defilement of sin. See Scofield Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 John 5:6. Typically, the order of approach to the presence of God was, first, the brazen altar of sacrifice, and then the laver of cleansing (Exo 40:6-7). See, also, the order in Exo 30:17-21. Christ cannot have communion with a defiled saint, but He can and will cleanse him.

is clean every whit

1Co 1:30; 6:11; 1Jo 3:9.

Jhn 13:11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

he knew who should betray him

Jhn 6:64.

Jhn 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

Ye call me Master and Lord

Mat 23:8, 10; Luk 6:46; Eph 6:9.

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

ye also ought to wash one another's feet

Rom 12:10; Gal 6:1-2; 1Pe 5:5.

Jhn 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

I have given you an example

Mat 11:29; Phl 2:5; 1Pe 2:21; 1Jo 2:6.

Jhn 13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

The servant is not greater than his lord

Jhn 15:20.

Jhn 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

happy are ye if ye do them

Jas 1:25.

Jhn 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 hath lifted up his heel against me.

the scripture

Inspiration. Jhn 14:10. (Exo 4:15; Rev 22:19.)

He that eateth bread with me

Psa 41:9.

Jhn 13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

before it come

Mat 11:3.

Jhn 13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me

2Co 5:20.

Jhn 13:21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

one of you shall betray me

Mat 26:21; Mar 14:18; Luk 22:21; Psa 41:9.

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

one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved

Jhn 21:20, 24.

Jhn 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

Satan

Satan. Jhn 13:2, 27; Act 5:3. (Gen 3:1; Rev 20:10.)

Jhn 13:31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

Son of man

Scofield Matthew 8:20, note.

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

Whither I go, ye cannot come

Jhn 7:34; 8:21.

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

A new commandment

Law (of Christ). Jhn 14:15, 21, 23. (Gal 6:2; 2Jo 1:5).

Jhn 13:36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

thou shalt follow me afterwards

Jhn 21:18; 2Pe 1:14.

Jhn 13:37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

I will lay down my life for thy sake

Mat 26:33; Mar 14:29; Luk 22:33.