Washing the Disciples' Feet

Christ washed His disciples feet. This incident occurred in connection with the paschal supper on Thursday night of the Passion Week. Earlier in His ministry Jesus had declared that His hour had not yet come (see on ch. 2:4). Now the crisis hour had arrived. This same night He would be betrayed into the hands of His enemies, and before the Jewish day, which began at sunset, should pass, Jesus would rest in Joseph's tomb.

The washing of the feet probably took place early in the meal, in connection with the paschal supper (see Luke 22:24). Not all details of procedure during the Last Supper are noted by the gospel writers hence it cannot be definitely known at what point during the paschal ritual (see on Matt. 26:21)—if indeed the customary ritual was minutely followed by Jesus on the occasion—the Lord's Supper was introduced. Jesus rose from the table and laid aside his outer garment. He took a towel and began to wash the disciples' feet. According to Jewish custom extending back probably to the time of Jesus, the washing of the master's feet was one of the duties of a foreign slave, but was not one expected of a Jewish slave. However, it was a service a wife owed her husband, and children their father. The service was thus regarded as menial. Inasmuch as no servant was present on the occasion of the Last Supper, one of the disciples should have undertaken the task, but none volunteered.