John 13:1-20

1Just before the Passover feast, Jesus knew that his time had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now loved them to the very end.

2The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, that he should betray Jesus.

3Because Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,

4he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around himself.

5He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel he had wrapped around himself.

6Then he came to Simon Peter. Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7Jesus replied, “You do not understand what I am doing now, but you will understand after these things.”

8Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!”

10Jesus replied, “The one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not every one of you.”

11(For Jesus knew the one who was going to betray him. For this reason he said, “Not every one of you is clean.”)

12So when Jesus had washed their feet and put his outer clothing back on, he took his place at the table again and said to them, “Do you understand what I have done for you?

13You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and do so correctly, for that is what I am.

14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another’s feet.

15For I have given you an example – you should do just as I have done for you.

16I tell you the solemn truth, the slave is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent as a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

17If you understand these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

18“What I am saying does not refer to all of you. I know the ones I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who eats my bread has turned against me.’

19I am telling you this now, before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I am he.

20I tell you the solemn truth, whoever accepts the one I send accepts me, and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”