"Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from
God, and went to God,. . . poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and
to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded. Then . . . Peter saith unto Him, Thou shalt
never wash my feet. Jesus answered Him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me. Simon
Peter saith unto Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him,
He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit…. Ye call Me Master
and Lord:and ye say well; for so I am. 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, that ye should do as
I have done to you" (John 13:3-15).
Feet Washing Contrasted with Complete Bathing
Most students of the Bible would agree that this activity on the part of Jesus was meant by Him
to convey a spiritual significance; that is, it was symbolic of a spiritual kind of washing or
cleansing. However, the topic of this passage does not seem to be conversion or salvation; that
is, the once and for all washing away of our sins. The disciples (except for Judas Iscariot) were
already bathed all over and clean; that is, their sins washed away (v. 10). Now-even if each of the
disciples had had a complete bath just prior to coming to the house with the upper room for the
passover observance, this would not have prevented them from getting their feet soiled and dusty
from the walk over. And in like manner, the fact that born again Christians have had their sins
judicially forever put away does not mean they are in a state of sinless perfection and does not
prevent them from picking up defilement as they walk through this world and live their everyday
lives. We need often to be cleansed_daily, hourly_of this defilement. In this passage the Lord
Jesus is pledging to help us in this cleansing process.
Picking up Defilement
It was the feet which were to be washed (rather than the hands, head, etc.) since it was most often
the feet which came in contact with the dust and dirt of the earth due to the custom of wearing
sandals. Of course, when we consider what this symbolizes, that is, our contacts with the evil
which is in the World, not only are our feet involved (carrying us to places where we ought not
to be), but also our hands (for example, picking up literature which we ought not to read), our
eyes, and our ears.
In fact, our greatest defilement with the world may often occur where the feet are hardly involved
at all. In a large measure we have allowed the world to come to us, that is, into our own living
rooms. For example, there may be some value in keeping up with current events through the daily
newspaper; but unless we diligently discipline ourselves to be very selective in what we read, we
will find our lower nature aroused time and again, and our hearts and minds defiled by the things
we read there. The same care must be taken with regard to books and magazines which come into
our homes. Parents, have you taken a look recently at the books which your children are bringing
home from the children’s section of the public library? Many of these books, under the guise of
an exciting adventure story, are found to be sprinkled with obscenities and erotic passages. And
as for television, should there not be serious exercise of hearts and consciences before the Lord
as to whether the few possibly profitable and informative programs on television begin to
compensate for the exceeding and ever-increasing amount of defilement that is picked up from it?
Also, many TV-less families are discovering that, contrary to popular belief, their children are
able to do as well as the rest of the class in school.
Furthermore, it is not only the sensual aspects of the world which are defiling to us. If we imbibe
overly much in such things as news programs, commentaries on current events, talk programs,
and the viewpoints and opinions of our non-Christian friends and neighbors, without maintaining
these in proper balance with the Word of God and prayer, we will find ourselves slowly and
imperceptibly having our thoughts, outlook, desires, motives, etc. molded by the one who is the
prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2), with resulting cynicism, anxiety, discontent, bitterness,
discouragement, and despair.
It is instructive to note what may have been a specific need on the disciples’ part for the symbolic
activity of the Lord Jesus in washing their feet. In Luke 22:24-30 we find that at the time of the
last supper the disciples were arguing among themselves as to which of them would be accounted
the greatest. This suggests to us that in addition to those defilements picked up through the eyes,
ears, hands, and feet, there is the defilement of pride and self-importance and the desire for
recognition of oneself by others from which we all often require cleansing.
Having Our Feet Washed
A number of times in Scripture the Word of God is spoken of under the figure of water_that
which has power to cleanse. Perhaps the most important significance of this symbolic activity on
the part of Christ of washing His disciples’ feet is the need for His disciples in all ages from that
time on down to the present to be cleansed by the power of the Word from the defilement picked
up daily from the world. There are a number of ways in which our risen Lord and Saviour carries
out this cleansing:
1. Through our daily reading of God’s Word. This is of crucial importance; but let us always
remember that the Word will have its proper cleansing effect upon us only if we so desire it. May
we, whenever we take up God’s Word to read, have continually the prayer in our hearts, "Search
me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked
way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23,24), and "Cleanse Thou me from
secret faults" (Psalm 19:12).
2. Through the impressions which God the Holy Spirit may make upon our minds of a scripture
verse which is just suited to our present need_whether it be discouragement, bitterness toward
another or toward God, youthful lusts, or whatever. Our ability to receive such impressions is,
of course, in proportion to our familiarity with the Word. There is an obvious challenge to us in
this.
3. Through the preaching, presentation, and discussion of the Word of God in the meetings of the
assembly, Bible Studies, Christian radio programs, and the like.
4. Through the faithful word of a spiritual brother or sister in Christ who is led of the Lord to
speak a word to us. This last, no doubt, is the most difficult_but often the most effective_way
of getting our feet washed. No other way requires so much humility and grace on our parts as to
receive calmly and even thankfully the words of admonishment, exhortation, or instruction from
another Christian (and even, sometimes, a non-Christian), and to translate them into confession
and forsaking of the wrong path. Over and over in the Book of Proverbs do we read of the
blessing attached to receiving reproof and the lack of blessing upon despising it (1:25,26; 10:17;
12:1; 13:18; 15:5,10,32).
Let us also keep in mind that it takes time to have our feet washed. In this day of "instant meals,"
"instant money," and "instant service," we may find ourselves expecting "instant feet washing."
We may often be satisfied with a quick rinsing where what is needed is a thorough scrubbing with
a stiff brush. We need to plan for a period of quiet each day in which we may read the Word,
pray, meditate upon the Word, and allow the Word to search us, bring to light our secret sins, and
cleanse us.
In summary, may we always be willing to have our feet washed, to open ourselves up to the all-
searching scrutiny of a holy, infinite God, to allow the Word of God to have its effect in our lives
as that which is "sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul
and spirit … a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12).
Washing One Another’s Feet
The Lord Jesus exhorted the disciples, "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet,
ye also ought to wash one another’s feet" (John 13:14). Note that it was not until "after He had
washed their feet" (v. 12) that He enjoins them to wash one another’s feet. If we do not have a
habitual desire to have our feet washed, that is, to be delivered and cleansed from all defilement,
wrong attitudes, pride, and all our secret faults^ we have no business seeking to wash the feet of
others. Generally speaking, we will not be able to do it in the right way and attitude, and will tend
more to alienate and harm our brother or sister than help him/her by our attempted "washing."
Let us not limit the symbolism in feet washing to the correction of a wrong course or
admonishment concerning some sin. Above and beyond the cleansing effect of water, what
refreshment is received on a hot summer day by walking barefooted in the shallow waters at the
edge of a lake or the seashore, or by sitting on the edge of a pool letting our feet soak in the
water. Applying this in a spiritual way, let us look for opportunities to refresh one another by
ministering comfort and encouragement out of God’s Word.
There is perhaps another lesson for us found in the Lord’s washing of His disciples’ feet, and
which we ought to consider if we would wash one another’s feet Consider the attitude of the Lord
Jesus. He who knew "that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come
from God, and went to God" (v. 3) took the place of a menial servant, stooping low at the feet of
each of His disciples in order to wash them. Let us ask of ourselves, "Am I always willing to
serve my brothers and sisters in Christ in such a fashion?" Am I willing to engage ins menial, or
even messy tasks if that is what is needed by my brother or sister at the moment? Our
responsibility to our brethren when they are sick, have lost a loved one, or are going through
some other trial is not limited to paying the person a visit to cheer him up or to pray with him. It
may be that the greatest need which that person has at the moment is for someone to wash the
dishes, the clothes, or the baby’s diapers, or else to go grocery shopping, or to help take care of
the children. Let us not think that we have discharged our duty by calling out as we wave good-
bye, "Let me know if there is anything I can do for you." If we really desire to help the person,
let us show clearly our willingness to help even in the most menial, dirty tasks by asking
specifically whether help is needed in cleaning up the kitchen, taking out the garbage, and the like.
May we not neglect our responsibilities to one another, nor despise our dependence upon one
another. As members of the body of Christ we each need not only the Head but also the help and
cooperation of all the other members as well. Let us not be afraid, ashamed, embarrassed, or too
proud to receive the help which our fellow Christians are offering to give us (or which, in fact,
Christ is offering to us through the intermediary of our brethren). And may we be increasingly
sensitive to the needs, be they spiritual, emotional, or physical, of our brothers and sisters and be
much before the Lord asking for wisdom as to how best to minister to those needs.
"By love serve one another" (Gal. 5:13).
(Note:Some of the foregoing thoughts were gleaned from a Bible study on John 13 held at the
Queen, Pennsylvania Bible Conference, June 23-24, 1978.)