13:1 Now 1 before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew
that his hour was come that he should depart out of this
world unto the Father, having loved his a own which were
in the world, he loved them unto the end.
(1) Christ is as sure of the victory as he is of the combat
which was at hand, and by using the sign of washing the
feet, gives by this an example in part of singular modesty,
and his great love toward his apostles in this notable act,
being likely to depart very shortly from them: and he
partly witnesses unto them that it is he alone who washes
away the filth of his people, and sanctifies them little
by little in their time and season.
(a) Those of his household, that is, his saints.
13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his
b hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
(b) Into his power.
13:4 He c riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and
took a towel, and girded himself.
(c) In that he is said to rise, it argues that there was a
space of time between the ceremony of the passover and
this washing of feet, at which time it seems that the
Lord's supper was instituted.
13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus
answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast d no part
with me.
(d) Unless you allow me to wash you, you will have no part
in the kingdom of heaven.
13:182 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but
that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread
with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
(2) The betraying of Christ was not accidental, or a thing that
happened by chance, but it was the Father who ordained the
cause of our salvation, to reconcile us unto himself in his
Son, and the Son willingly and voluntarily obeyed the
Father.
13:21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and
e testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
that one of you shall betray me.
(e) He affirmed it openly and sealed it.
13:23 Now there was f leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his
disciples, whom Jesus loved.
(f) John's leaning was such that sitting down on his mat
his head was toward the head of Jesus: for it is
certain that in ancient times men used to not sit at
the table, but to lie down on one of their sides.
13:313 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, g Now
is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
(3) We have to see the glorifying of Christ in his dishonour.
(g) This verse and the one following are a most plain and
evident testimony to the divinity of Christ.
13:334 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye
shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go,
ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
(4) The eternal glory will flow little by little from the
head into the members. But meanwhile, we must take good
heed that we run the race of this life in brotherly love.
13:365 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou?
Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me
now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
(5) A weighty example of rash trust and confidence.
