Jesus washes the disciples’ feet: John 13 and the servant who was Lord

The dinner was ready, the disciples were reclining at the table, and nobody had washed their feet. In first-century Palestine, roads were dusty and people wore sandals, so washing guests’ feet was a basic courtesy, usually done by the lowest servant. None of the disciples offered. Then Jesus rose from supper, laid aside his garments, tied a towel around his waist and poured water into a basin. The teacher they called Lord knelt and began to wash their feet.

The servant's work and Peter's objection

John 13 takes place on the night of the Last Supper, just before Jesus’ arrest. John writes that Jesus knew “his hour was come”. John notes that Jesus knew “the Father had given all things into his hands”. His act of service came from security, not weakness. Washing feet was humble, dirty work. By doing it, Jesus reversed expectations of status.

Peter protested, “Thou shalt never wash my feet.” Jesus replied, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”

Peter, Judas and the lesson

Peter then asked Jesus to wash his hands and head too. Jesus explained that one who has bathed needs only his feet washed. Jesus washed the feet of all the disciples, including Judas, who would betray him that night. “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example.”

Jesus added, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Knowledge must become action. Many churches hold foot-washing services on the Thursday before Easter, remembering this night.

Servant leadership and a new commandment

The passage is often used to teach that Christian leadership means serving others rather than seeking status. Washing feet today may mean doing humble tasks for others without seeking recognition. Whose “feet” could you serve this week? Later in John 13, Jesus gives his disciples “a new commandment”: to love one another as he has loved them. The foot washing shows what that love looks like in practice, humble, practical and willing to serve.

The disciples had argued about who was the greatest. Jesus answered with a towel and a basin, and the lesson has been repeated in churches every year since.