John 13
Majene Bonnie’s Comments on Dr. Dave’s Notes — John 13
A sign of a servant: Foot washing in a dry and dusty climate where sandals are worn is a refreshing and healthy custom. See Gen. 24:32 and 43:24; Luke 7:44; 1 Tim. 5:10; John 13:4-15. Notice that widows, to be helped by the church, had qualifications to meet. One of those was foot washing, which denoted that the woman was given over to serving others. In our culture, the practice does not have much meaning because we have no need of it. However, the principle to learn, is that of the Lord’s example who washed the feet of the disciples to show that no one was to be master over another. Each was to be a servant of the other. We are also admonished to practice hospitality to others.
When we lived in the upper peninsula of Michigan, it was common practice to take off our shoes/boots at the door. In the winter, hostesses often provided warm slippers for their guests to wear while in the house. Customs vary from culture to culture and country to country. Those churches who feel it’s necessary to practice foot washing today, are a bit too literal in their interpretation of Scripture. It is the underlying principle that we must learn. Caring for guests and our brethren in the faith is an important way of showing our love for the Lord.
v. 1 — Here is the phrase “his hour.” Why now? In the calendar, it is Passover time. The first type of the sacrifice Christ would make occurs in Genesis when an animal must be killed to clothe Adam and Eve. Perhaps it was a lamb. Then came the Passover itself when the Israelites were spared the deaths of the firstborns administered by the angel in Moses’ day. It began their freedom from bondage even as belief in Christ frees us from an eternity in hell.
Jesus first taught Isaiah 61 (Luke 4:16-21) in a synagogue in Nazareth up to the point in verse 2 when the day of vengeance is mentioned. That is a future event which shall be accomplished at the second coming. After reading up to that point, Jesus said, “ This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” His timing is always impeccable. Now His hour is perfectly timed to correspond to the yearly Passover feast. He will die as the lamb that taketh away the sins of the world.
He “loved His own” means the disciples. These are the ones He chose (John 6:37). They are “all the Father gave me.” He loved them to the end meaning to the end of His earthly life and the completion of His work here. He loves them still! He loved them despite their squabbles, their spiritual immaturity, their petulance, and even betrayal by Judas.
v. 2 — People can be open to demonic influence. We are not exactly sure what influences Satan has, but we know he can affect the hearts and minds of men. Scripture tells us that Judas was not saved. He loves money. He’s a thief. He is practicing sin even while claiming to be a disciple of Jesus Christ (easily available to him as he handles the purse and dips into it for himself). His heart was already greedy so it was easy for Satan to influence him further. John 17:12 tells us he had never been a true disciple.
v. 3 — This verse tells us that Jesus came from God. When did His life begin? Never! He has always been just as God has always been. This refutes oneness Pentecostalism. They do not believe in the Trinity, but rather that Jesus IS the Father. But this verse distinguishes the two persons. Jehovah’s Witnesses, on the other hand believe in too much distinction – that Jesus is a separately created being. All such heresies are damnable.
Morgan presents an interesting perspective. “Too often the death of Jesus is spoken of as a martyrdom, the heroic surrender to the inevitable in circumstances. There is no scintilla of truth in that view of the Cross. The New Testament accounts all reveal Him as moving with the mien and attitude of One carrying out a Divine program; His soul troubled, but always seeing through the gloom to the glory,”
v. 4 — Right after the discussion at the table of who’s going to be the greatest, Jesus begins the foot washing. Again, His timing is perfect. This was not a normal part of a Passover preparation dinner, but the institution of something new. The disciples must have felt shocked and “tiny.” He’s taking on the form and job of an obedient lowly servant. See Phil. 2:3. 1 Pet. 5 gives instruction to elders about feeding the flock, not being obsessed with money, being examples, submitting one to another, practicing humility. Did Peter remember the dinner when he wrote this and applied it to ministry? Most likely, he came to learn much more about this type of service by the time he wrote his book. When he had protested against the washing, Jesus explained that he could not be one of His unless it was done. Peter quickly changed his mind knowing that to have no part of Christ would be intolerable for him. Peter was teachable. Can we say the same for ourselves?
v. 6 — Today, the Pope allows people, indeed requires them, to kiss his ring and warps the principle of service and humility. He accepts worship unworthily. The Roman Catholics have created a ceremony that is inappropriate. Some Baptists that practice foot washing took a cultural practice and the words “do as I do” literally and turned it into a ceremony. The words are interpreted as “like or similar” not ”do exactly what I do.”
v. 7 — “You will understand this later,” He says, “Trust me.” Peter, in his usual impetuous way, wants an explicit answer, but sometimes we just don’t know why things happen. Trust the Lord knowing that He has everything under control. Walk by faith and not sight. It builds the relationship with the Lord.
v. 8-9 — Notice the singular pronoun “thou” specifying Peter only. He turns quickly and goes to the other extreme — wash my head and hands, too. Today, more and more people have trouble admitting wrong and turning from bad behavior. There seems to be an epidemic of self-righteousness with the post-modernists. You believe what you want and I’ll believe what I want. The only thing they don’t tolerate is belief in the Biblical Jesus/God. Jesus predicted that men would hate us and the Gospel.
v. 10 — Ye are clean. Ye is the plural pronoun meaning all of them (except one). Culturally, you take a bath and get clean. Walking to someone’s house gets the feet dirty. When you arrive, you need only wash the feet to be clean again. We pick up “dirt” every day and need to get clean again. Sins still need to be forgiven on a regular basis. Take them to the Lord in prayer and be made clean.
Morris elaborates on the two terms “wash.” The first washed means “bathed all over,” as in the ”washing of regeneration” in Titus 3:5 or the “washing of water by the word” in Eph. 5:26. The second “wash” refers to partial cleansing of that part that needs it. Thus, regeneration occurs only once, but is followed by daily confession and cleansing (1 John 1:7,9 likely has both meanings in view). The heads (mind) and hands may need daily cleansing too, after walking daily in a sinful world. The mind needs renewing as instructed in Rom. 12:1-2 and the hands need preparation for service.
v. 11-17 — Some moderns and “red letter adherents “ take this portion literally, but Jesus is really talking about service. “If ye know these things” He says, “you will be happy in doing them.” In other words, to serve others is how to be happy. In defining happiness, we would have to start with having knowledge of God and then doing what He prescribes — the types of service Jesus did. He was humble and fulfilled His God given role — our example to follow. The more miserable people are the self- absorbed ones focused on acquiring stuff, or working too much, or being self-indulgent. Think of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, or Serena Williams, for example. They all have foundations that try to help people so they can “grab some good feeling” by philanthropy. Happiest are those people who are not thinking about being happy, but are busy in serving others. This yields true contentment.
Notice that the disciples most often address Jesus as Lord. Though His human name was Jesus, they use His title to show their relationship to Him. Addressing Him the same way in prayer reminds us that we are His servants and we honor Him by being obedient. There is a trend in these modern times to belittle Jesus, speaking of Him as a special personal buddy or treating Him as a “prayer genie” to get things. This is not appropriate. Recognizing His godliness and righteousness keeps us in the position of humble servants. We need to always be conscious of what a wonderful thing He has done in allowing us to share in His work and serve others on His behalf.
v. 18 — “I know whom I have chosen” (the eleven and Paul) but one of you will betray me. Judas pretended to care for the poor to indulge his own thievery. The Scripture fulfilled is Ps. 41:9. Psalm 41:4 is a good prayer for us when we are “soul sick.” Verse 5 is Jesus speaking prophetically. In verse 9, the lifted up heel is an Arab cultural insult. (Remember the Arabs hitting the statue of Saddam Hussein with their shoes?). Verses 11-13: Jesus will sit at the right hand of God. Verse 13 refutes replacement theology. God is still the God of Israel and will accomplish His plan for them and through them.
To eat at someone’s table and then turn against him, is another breach of common courtesy and hospitality in Eastern culture today. It was no less important then.
v. 19 — Here is another “I AM” statement. Though they will not now understand all He says that is coming to pass, they will understand it later. Nothing that is coming is a surprise to the Lord. The disciples should have been more aware — Mary, Lazarus’ sister, understood He was going to die.
v. 20 — To get to God, one must go through Jesus. As the disciples face the crisis of His death, they will need this encouragement. Later, He gives them a commission to be His representatives and take the Gospel to the whole world. We also represent Christ and God when we witness to people.
v. 21 — Remember that “you” is plural.
v. 22 — They are dumbfounded! They have no suspicion of Judas who had done all the things the others did. Most likely, a good bit of conversation was buzzing among them during the dinner trying to figure this out.
The disciples would have been positioned around the dinner table on floor cushions, half reclining. John was clearly seated next to the Lord.
v. 24-27 — Peter signals to John to ask the Lord whom the traitor is. Jesus says the one who takes the sop (a piece of bread dipped in a bowl of gravy or soup) is he. It was an act of friendship to offer such a morsel to someone. Immediately after Judas takes it, Satan enters into him. We can surmise that Satan was present in the room watching the proceedings. Whether he could not enter in until the Lord gave permission is unknown, but it may be that his intervention is constrained. The book of Job provides examples of restraining Satan. What is implied, is that Jesus gave Judas one last chance to repent. Remember the phrase “my friend” from Ps. 41’s prophecy? When he did not, Satan saw his chance to take over.
Did the others hear the answer in verse 26? We can’t be sure. John may have noticed the sop being passed but didn’t realize just what the betrayal would be or when. Perhaps the others thought Jesus had sent Judas out to purchase something they needed. Judas wants the power of being one of the elite in a restored Jewish kingdom, but he has gotten discouraged about the direction of the Lord’s ministry. He then bails to get whatever he can out of the situation.
v. 30 — The worst sins are committed at night in the dark — John 3:18-20.
v. 31 — Jesus begins a series of teachings for the believers. If His death would glorify God, the Father would later glorify Jesus. Indeed, Jesus will sit on David’s throne and rule the earth. Perhaps, Jesus was thinking back to the glory He had before coming to earth. After going through the dark night that is coming, He would be restored to His glory but in a different sense. He would forevermore be identified as the Son of Man as well as the deliverer. All of the things that are coming — the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension will glorify the Father. How does a Christian glorify God/Christ? Not when they meet together as the modern churches do, but when they point people to Christ.
v. 33-35 — “Little children” is an affectionate, endearing term. Masters of that day would often refer to their students as little children. Previously, the Lord had stated the two greatest commandments (Matt. 22:37-40) which are also found in Lev. 19:18, Deut. 5 and 6:4. When the Israelites were preparing to enter the promised land, Moses taught the commandments again for the new generation that had grown up in the wilderness. Thus, we see the two greatest commandments in the Old Testament and Jesus reiterates them to the Pharisees when asked what the greatest commandment of the law is.
Now, the Lord is giving a new commandment: to love as Jesus loves. See also
Rom. 5:8 / 2 Cor. 5:14 / 1 John 3:16 & 4:9-11. He is expanding the Golden Rule. We are only capable of this kind of behavior with the help of the Holy Spirit. There are lost people who do good things and are kind. This, however, is a calling to a lifestyle more especially among believers that is so different that even unbelievers can see the effects. How are we doing? Poorly! Most churches design a show and prohibit true fellowship. Hardly any go out into the streets and share the Gospel. Why are there so many kinds of churches? Because people can’t get along with each other! When members get upset at something in one church, they often leave it for another that makes them more comfortable. It’s a far cry from the ”being of one mind” mentality of the first believers gathered and waiting for the Holy Spirit to come. Yet it is to be the key distinguishing characteristic of the believers.
Verse 35 is one of the most challenging and hardest verses in Scripture to fulfill. The type of love here is in giving one’s self to others. It is commanded and will be quite discernible to others.
v. 36-38 — If Peter and the disciples died here with Christ, they could not go with Him. Their spirits would go to Sheol, not the Father, because Jesus has to take His blood to the mercy seat in heaven first. He conquers hell during His time in the grave. Look at 1 Cor. 15 and 2 Cor. 5:21. Christ is doing things to prepare the way for others to be with Him and the Father at their death. Later, when the disciples die, they will go directly to be with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). Peter understands death is involved here but he can’t see how it will change things in the future. He must have been extremely puzzled by the Lord’s prediction of the denials to come. By morning he will completely understand. If we had warning of some particular sin we would commit, would we be strong enough to avoid it? One wonders. The hope of looking forward to a sinless existence is most encouraging to the believer!
~~~Bonnie