John 13:3-17

3Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.

4So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist,

5and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

6When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”

8“No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”

9Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”

10Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.”

11For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing?

13You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am.

14And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.

15I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.

16I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message.

17Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.