John 13:4

John 13:4 in other versions

• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist,

Context of John 13:4

2And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; 3Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5After 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. 6Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto 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

• He risethἐγείρωegeirō · to ariseG1453
• fromἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• supperὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• supperδεῖπνονdeipnon · dinnerG1173
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• laid asideτίθημιtithēmi · to placeG5087
• garmentsἱμάτιονhimation · clothingG2440
• tookλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• a towelλέντιονlention · towelG3012
• and girdedδιαζώννυμιdiazōnnumi · to tie aroundG1241
• himselfἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438

Cross-references for John 13:4

• Luke 12:37Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
• Luke 17:7But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
• Luke 22:27For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
• 2 Corinthians 8:9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
• Philippians 2:6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal 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