John 13:4

John 13:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
• New International Version (NIV)so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
• English Standard Version (ESV)rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.
• New King James Version (NKJV)rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.

Context of John 13:4

2And during supper, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas [son] of Simon, Iscariote, that he should deliver him up, 3[Jesus,] knowing that the Father had given him all things into his hands, and that he came out from God and was going to God, rises from supper and lays aside his garments, and having taken a linen towel he girded himself: 5then he pours water into the washhand basin, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, and to wipe them with the linen towel with which he was girded. 6He comes therefore to Simon Peter; and he says to him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

John 13:4 word by word

ἐγείρεται ἐκ τοῦ δείπνου καὶ τίθησιν τὰ ἱμάτια, καὶ λαβὼν λέντιον διέζωσεν ἑαυτόν.Read the interlinear

• supperδεῖπνονdeipnon · dinnerG1173
• laysτίθημιtithēmi · to placeG5087
• garmentsἱμάτιονhimation · clothingG2440
• takenλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• towelλέντιονlention · towelG3012
• girdedδιαζώννυμιdiazōnnumi · to tie aroundG1241

Cross-references for John 13:4

• Luke 12:37Blessed are those bondmen whom the lord [on] coming shall find watching; verily I say unto you, that he will gird himself and make them recline at table, and coming up will serve them.
• Luke 17:7But which of you [is there] who, having a bondman ploughing or shepherding, when he comes in out of the field, will say, Come and lie down immediately to table?
• Luke 22:27For which [is] greater, he that is at table or he that serves? [Is] not he that is at table? But I am in the midst of you as the one that serves.
• 2 Corinthians 8:9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes he, being rich, became poor, in order that ye by his poverty might be enriched.
• Philippians 2:6who, subsisting in the form of God, did not esteem it an object of rapine to be on an equality with God;

Commentaries on John 13:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4He riseth from supper - Not from eating, as Bishop Pearce has well observed, but from his place at table; probably the dishes were not as yet laid down, though the guests were seated. According to the custom of the Jews and other Asiatics, this washing must have taken place before the supper. See on John 13:2; (note). Laid aside his garments - That is, his gown or upper coat, with the girdle wherewith it was girded close to his tunic or under coat; and…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4He riseth from supper - Evidently while they were eating. See John 13:2. Laid aside his garments - His outer garment. See the notes at Matthew 5:40. This was his mantle or robe, which is said to have been without seam. It was customary to lay this aside when they worked or ran, or in the heat of summer. Took a towel and girded himself - This was the manner of a servant or slave. See the notes at Luke 17:8.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-5Foot washing was common in Greek and Jewish cultures as a daily routine. It was also a common gesture when hosting guests (see Luke 7:36–50). It was a humble task designated for servants. When Jesus began to wash the disciples’ feet, he assumed the role of a servant.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 4-54-5. He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments--outer garments which would have impeded the operation of washing. and took a towel and girded himself--assuming a servant's dress.Read the comment

Topics related to John 13:4

• Feet
• Foot
• Jesus, the Christ
• Towel

In the dictionaries

• Aside
• Clean
• Commandment
• Dress
• Example
• Foot
• Humility
• Jesus Christ
• John, Gospel of
• Lord's Supper; (eucharist)

Commentaries on John 13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings