So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?
Parallel Translations
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So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?
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After he had wesshed their fete and receaved his clothes and was set doune agayne he sayde vnto them? wot ye what I have done to you?
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So after he had washed their feete, and had taken his garments, and was set downe againe, he sayd vnto them, Knowe ye what I haue done to you?
Cross-references (5)
Passages linked to John 13:12 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- John 13:7 Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”
- Ezekiel 24:24 Thus Ezekiel will be a sign to you; according to all that he has done, you will do. When this comes, then you will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.’ ” ’ ”
- John 13:4 arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist.
- Ezekiel 24:19 The people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things are to us, that you do so?”
- Matthew 13:51 Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They answered him, “Yes, Lord.”
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (15 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 12. When then he had washed their feet. Christ…
12. When then he had washed their feet. Christ at length explains what was his intention in washing the feet of his disciples; for what he had said about the spiritual washing was a sort of digression from his main design. Had it not been for the opposition made by Peter, Christ would not have spoken on that subject. Now, therefore, he discloses the reason of what he had done; namely, that he who is the Master and Lord of all gave an example to be followed by all the godly, that none might grudge to descend to do a service to his brethren and equals, however mean and low that service might be. For the reason why the love of the brethren is despised is, that every man thinks more highly of himself than he ought, and despises almost every other person. Nor did he intend merely to inculcate modesty, but likewise to lay down this rule of brotherly love, that they should serve one another; for there is no brotherly love where there is not a voluntary subjection in assisting a neighbor.
Know you what I have done? We see that Christ, for a short time, concealed his intention from his disciples, but that, after having tried their obedience, he seasonably revealed to them that which it was not expedient for them previously to know. Nor does he now wait till they ask, but of his own accord anticipates them. The same thing will be experienced by us also, provided that we suffer ourselves to be guided by his hand, even through unknown ways.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 12 So after he had washed their feet, and…
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
Ver. 12. Know ye what I have done to you?] This was our Saviour’s usual order, to catechise his disciples after he had said or done anything for their instruction. So did the apostles, Gal 6:6, 1Co 14:19, and the primitive pastors; they had their Credis? credo: Abrenuncias? abrenuncio, as it were by an echo, as the word importeth. (Κατηχεω, Sicut in echo una vex his audiri debet, tam ex catechumeno, quam ex ipso catechista, Pasor.)
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain After that our Saviour had finished this ceremony, and…
After that our Saviour had finished this ceremony, and washed his disciples’ feet, (some question whether all or no, but I see no reason to doubt it), he returned again to the supper, which probably now was near finished, which certainly was the common supper which the Jews had besides the passover supper, and probably before it, though some think after it. He asketh them if they knew the meaning of this which he had done unto them; lest they should not fully understand it, he openeth it to them in the following discourse.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain In these words our Saviour declares to his disciples…
In these words our Saviour declares to his disciples his intention and design in washing of their feet: namely, to teach them, by his example, the duty of humility: that as he had performed that act of abasement towards them, so should they be ready to perform all offices of love and humble condescension one towards another: Behold, I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you.
Learn thence, That humility and mutual condescension amongst the members and ministers of Jesus Christ, is a most necessary grace and duty, which the Son of God not only taught by his doctrine, but recommended and enforced by his example.
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Observe farther, The argument which Christ makes use of to press the imitation of his example upon them: and that is drawn from the titles given to him by his disciples: Ye call me Master, and Lord, and so I am. Now servants ought to imitate their masters, and subjects to obey their Lord and king. Christ is a Master to teach and direct; a Lord to govern and protect. As he is a Master, we are to learn in his school: as he is Lord, we are to serve in his house: he must be submitted to as a Prince, as well as relied upon as a Saviour. It is in vain to expect salvation from him, if we do not yield subjection to him. Another argument which our Lord makes use of to press his disciples to imitate his example, is drawn from his dignity and superiority over them: The servant is not greater than his Lord.
As if Christ had said, "Though you, my disciples, are to have a very high and honourable station in the gospel church, yet let not this swell you with pride, but be you mutually condescending to each other, remembering you are yet but servants to myself, and ought to be so to one another; and the servant is not greater than his Lord.
Learn hence, 1. That whatever dignity Christ confers upon his servants and officers, yet he is over them all, superior to them, and above them.
2. That the consideration of Christ’s dignity, and his minsters meanness, ought to keep their minds humble and lowly, and far from affecting superiority over their brethren; The servant is not greater than his Lord; nor he that is sent, greater than he that sent me.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain So after he had washed their feet,.... Not Peter's…
So after he had washed their feet,.... Not Peter's only, but the rest of the disciples also: some have thought, that he washed only the feet of some of them, and not all; but it seems, by this expression, that he performed this service to each of them: and when he had gone through it with everyone of them:
and had taken his garments, and put them on,
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and was sat down again; at the table with his disciples, supper not being yet ended; when having done his work as a servant, he reassumes the air and authority of Lord and master, and begins to teach and instruct, into the design and use of what he had been doing, which he introduces by putting this question;
he said unto them, know ye what I have done to you? They knew the outward action he had done to them, that he had washed their feet; but, as yet, they did not know the mystery of it, Christ's design in it, and what he would have them learn from it.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 12. Know ye what I have done] Our…
Verse 12. Know ye what I have done] Our Lord had told Peter, in the presence of the rest, Joh 13:7, that he should afterwards know what was the intent and meaning of this washing; and now he begins to fulfil his promise; therefore I think it more likely that he gives a command, here, than asks a question, as he knew himself that they did not comprehend his design. On this account γινωσκετε might be translated in the imperative mood, CONSIDER what I have done.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain Joh 13:12-15. So after he had washed their feet,…
Joh 13:12-15. So after he had washed their feet, &c. — After he had given them such a striking proof of his humility, condescension, and love, by performing to them the office of the meanest slave; he said, Know ye what I have done to you? — Know ye the meaning of what I have done? for the action was emblematical. Ye call me Master, and Lord — Ο διδασκαλος και ο κυριος, the master, or teacher, and the Lord. “The article prefixed to each appellation, and the nominative case employed, where in common language it would have been the accusative, give great energy to the expression, and show that the words are applied to Jesus in a sense entirely peculiar.” — Campbell. And ye say well — I am really what you call me, being the Son of God, and Saviour of the world, If I, then, your Lord, &c., have washed your feet — Have condescended to so mean an office, and in all other instances have shown my readiness in love to serve you; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet — And why did they not? Why do we not read of any one apostle ever washing the feet of any other? Because they understood their Lord better. They knew he never designed that this should be literally taken. He designed to teach them the great lesson of humble love, as well as to confer inward purity upon them. And hereby he teaches us, 1st, In every possible way to assist each other in attaining that purity. 2d, To wash each other’s feet, by performing all sorts of good offices to each other, even those of the lowest kind, when opportunity serves, and the necessity of any calls for them. For I have given you an example that ye should do — On all proper occasions to one another; as I have done to you — As if he had said, I have set you a pattern of humility, to recommend it to you: and it must be acknowledged that nothing shows us more effectually the necessity of this grace, than its being recommended to us by so high an example; a recommendation which, in the present circumstances, was peculiarly seasonable, for the disciples having heard Jesus say that the kingdom of God was at hand, (Luk 22:18,) their minds were so fired with ambitious passions, that, before they arose from supper, they fell into a hot contention about sharing the principal posts in the kingdom.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain Know ye what ... - Do you know the…
Know ye what ... - Do you know the meaning or design of what I have done unto you?
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain Know ye what I have done?--that is, its intent.…
Know ye what I have done?--that is, its intent. The question, however, was put merely to summon their attention to His own answer.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 12. was set down] The Greek verb occurs frequently…
12. was set down] The Greek verb occurs frequently in the Gospels (and nowhere else in N.T.) of reclining at meals. It always implies a change of position (see on Joh_13:25, and comp. Joh_6:10, Joh_21:20; Mat_15:35; Mar_6:40 : Luk_11:37).
Know ye] ‘Do ye recognise the meaning of it?’ (see on Joh_13:7). The question directs their attention to the explanation to be given.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (12) And was set down again.—This means in the…
(12) And was set down again.—This means in the reclining position customary at meals. Comp. Luk_11:37; Luk_22:14; and in this Gospel Joh_6:10; Joh_21:20. Here it implies that the washing the feet preceded the supper (Joh_13:1).
Know ye what I have done to you?—This question is asked, not to be answered, but to direct their attention to what He had done, and to the interpretation which follows—“Do ye perceive what I have done? This is the meaning of it.”
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Vers. 12-17. The Lord gives other practical instructions based…
Vers. 12-17. The Lord gives other practical instructions based on his own humble self-obliterating discharge of a duty which it was obvious that, in their desire to be great, they had one and all abstained from doing even for their Lord. Out of it he draws the great lesson of mutual love and brotherly regard.
So when he had washed their feet the interruption of Peter had brought forth the wonderful and weighty replies, and then, in awfulness and great amazement, the process went on. John and Judas as well as Peter submitted. Matthew and Thomas, Philip and Nathanael, and the rest yielded and received the deep, ineffaceable impressionand taken his garments he was no longer in the form of a slave, but of their Teacher and Lordand again reclined at their head, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done unto you? They must consider the meaning of it all. There was no affectation of humility about it. The purpose of the Lord was distinctly practical and ethical. So when he ceased his manifestation in the likeness of sinful flesh, and was set down on the right hand of God, he sent his Spirit to teach them all things. Moulton calls attention to the trial arrangement. Three particulars precede the great utterance that follows, (cf. vers. 1-3; cf. also Joh_16:6 Joh_16:8, etc.; Joh_17:22, Joh_17:23) as well as the three topics of the intercessory prayer; also the three words from the cross (Joh_19:27-30) and three appearances to the disciples. (Joh_21:14) This may be compared with the use of three throughout the Apocalypse.
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Vers. 12-17. The explanation of the washing of the disciples feet.
I THE ARGUMENT BY WHICH OUR LORD ENFORCES THE LESSON OF HIS ACT. "Know ye what I have done unto you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am." The titles the disciples gave to him have a decisive force.
1. As he is a Teacher, they were bound to learn in his school with all docility and meekness of wisdom.
2. As a Master, they were bound to give him subjection in all matters touching the conduct of life.
II THE LESSON OF HIS ACT. "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye ought also to wash one another"s feet.
1. There ought to be mutual condescension and mutual service among brethren. Our Lord utterly opposed the idea of hierarchical pretensions among them. Those who sought the highest place ought to do the meanest service.
2. Christ"s example, which is always in a way of self-sacrifice, ought to be regarded as possessing an authoritative force. "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as i have done unto you.
(1) He does not say that we should do the very thing that he did, but do as he did; for we are not now bound to wash one another"s feet. The example is in the principle, not in the specific act.
(2) The roman Catholic Church practically misrepresents our Lord"s act by a literal obedience to our Lord"s commands. The pope washes the feet of twelve poor men on the Thursday of Passion week.
(a) But why should it be done only once in a year? The act is to be constantly imitated by true disciples.
(b) Why should it be done only by the pope? It is to be done by all Christians one to another. The act is to be a token of humility, condescension, love, and patience.
1. The thought of the Lord"s dignity ought to incline his servants to a ready acceptance of his example. "The servant is not greater than his Lord.
2. The blessedness of doing as welt as knowing. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
(1) Our Lord does not command a blind obedience in his disciples. They ought to understand the principles and grounds of their action.
(2) The knowledge of God"s will ought never to be divorced from the sincere practice of it.
(3) Our happiness depends upon the degree in which we correlate our knowledge and our duty.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain 12. Know ye what I have done to you?…
12. Know ye what I have done to you? They knew the act, but did they comprehend its meaning?
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain The application of the washing of feet to the…
The application of the washing of feet to the disciples:
v. 12. So after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and was set down again, He said unto to them, Know ye what I have done to you?
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v. 13. Ye call Me Master and Lord; and ye say well; for so I am.
v. 14. If I, then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
v. 15. For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to re you.
v. 16. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
v. 17. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Jesus finished His self-imposed, deliberate task; He wanted it impressed upon the memories of the disciples. He then took His upper garments once more, He put them on, He reclined once more in His place as the head of the household. Then He broke the silence by asking them whether they had perceived the meaning of His action. The Lord’s own action had been symbolical, but incidentally it served as an example which they should emulate. They gave Him the honoring title of Master or Lord, and He did not repudiate the appellation, but rather asserted His full right to bear these names. He is the great Lord, come from heaven; He is the great Teacher of all men, at all times. If He, therefore, did not consider Himself too good or too dignified to perform this humble service for them, they, in turn, should not hesitate about following His example. They are to apply His example to the acts of love and service which they owe to their neighbor. The reference is on to all acts of kindness and charity, and, under circumstances, the very act which Jesus performed for the disciples might well be included in that list, 1Ti 5:10. But Jesus refers in general to all kindly acts in the care of fellow Christians. For the Christians are His disciples, and therefore His willing, loving servants. Therefore, as Jesus very solemnly emphasizes, they, as servants, cannot be above the Master, neither can the ambassador or minister be greater than he that sent him. The humblest work of love for one’s neighbor should be performed with all eagerness, for no disciple of Christ may presume to be above such works of merciful and kind service. If he does, he has none of the spirit of Christ living in him. See Mar 10:24; Luk 6:40; Luk 22:27. Note: The application of these words to the spiritual field is unusually apt. The Christians are still living in the world, they are obliged to battle continually with their flesh and blood, and therefore sin will make its appearance. The greatest love and the spirit of Christ is shown in this, that one forgives his neighbor his daily trespasses, and endures his faults and frailties. And the Lord adds an earnest and searching word in the conclusion of this paragraph. Mere head knowledge of the wish and will of Jesus has no value in the kingdom of Christ. It is the application of knowledge expressed in actions which counts in the estimation of Jesus. The person that practices the love which has come into his heart by faith, in such deeds of mercy and charity and kindness as are shown in the Word of God, he will be truly happy, in the sense of being assured of the approbation of Christ.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 Do you know what I have done for you?
Do you know what I have done for you?
This remark appears in the form of a question so Jesus can emphasize the importance of what he is teaching his disciples. AT: "You need to understand what I have done for you!" (See: Rhetorical Question)
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You call me 'teacher' and 'Lord,'
Here Jesus implies that his disciples have great respect for him. AT: "You show me great respect when you call me 'teacher' and 'Lord.'" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
you should also do just as I did for you
Jesus implies that his disciples should be willing to follow his example and serve one another. AT: "you should also humbly serve each other" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
translationWords
teacher
lord
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.