Unless I wash you, you have no part with me

John 13:1-15 (NIV)

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for

him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the

world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas,

the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all

things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to

God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel

around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his

disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my

feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will

understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head

as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their

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whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he

knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was

clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to

his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You

call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your

Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s

feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”