Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet
John 13:1-17
John.13.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Προ: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- εορτης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πασχα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- ειδως: PART,perf,act,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ωρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ινα: CONJ
- μεταβη: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,sg
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πατερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αγαπησας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ιδιους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κοσμω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- τελος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- ηγαπησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- John 12:23-27 (verbal): Uses the same Johannine motif 'the hour has come' and speaks of Jesus' impending glorification and departure toward the Father, echoing John 13:1's timing and purpose.
- John 17:1-5 (thematic): In the high-priestly prayer Jesus again declares 'the hour has come,' asks the Father to glorify the Son, and frames his departure as completion of the Father's work—paralleling John 13:1's 'hour' and movement toward the Father.
- John 15:9-13 (thematic): Focuses on Jesus' love for his own and the model of sacrificial love ('no greater love...'), connecting to John 13:1's emphasis that he loved his own in the world and loved them to the end.
- Matthew 26:2 (structural): Places Jesus immediately before the Passover and anticipates his being handed over—matching John 13:1's 'before the feast of the Passover' setting and the nearness of his passion.
- John 10:17-18 (thematic): Affirms Jesus' voluntary giving up of his life and unity with the Father—resonating with John 13:1's portrayal of Jesus knowingly approaching the hour to depart from the world to the Father.
Alternative generated candidates
- Before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
- Before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
John.13.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- δειπνου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- γινομενου: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,gen,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- διαβολου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ηδη: ADV
- βεβληκοτος: VERB,perf,act,part,gen,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- καρδιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ινα: CONJ
- παραδοι: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- Ιουδας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Σιμωνος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ισκαριωτου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 22:3 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel—Luke states explicitly that 'Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot,' matching John's claim that the devil had already put betrayal into his heart.
- John 13:27 (verbal): Close narrative parallel within John—after the sop Jesus gives Judas, the text again links the act to Satan entering him, developing the same theme introduced in 13:2.
- Matthew 26:14-16 (thematic): Narrative parallel—Matthew describes Judas' agreement with the chief priests to betray Jesus, showing the concrete action anticipated by John's statement about Satan instigating betrayal.
- Mark 14:10-11 (thematic): Narrative parallel—Mark recounts Judas going to the chief priests to arrange Jesus' betrayal, a complementary account of the same event John attributes to the devil's influence.
- Acts 1:16-20 (allusion): Later apostolic reflection—Peter interprets Judas' betrayal and death as fulfillment of Scripture and recounts his treachery, linking early Christian interpretation to the Johannine claim that Judas was moved by evil.
Alternative generated candidates
- And during the supper, the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray him.
- And during the supper, the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Simon Iscariot the intention to betray him.
John.13.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ειδως: PART,perf,act,nom,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- εδωκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πατηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- οτι: CONJ
- απο: PREP
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εξηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- υπαγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- John 3:35 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: the Father ‘has given all things into his hands,’ affirming the Father’s gift of authority to the Son.
- John 16:28 (verbal): Jesus speaks of coming from the Father and returning to the Father—paralleling ‘came from God and is going to God.’
- Matthew 28:18 (thematic): ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’ echoes the theme of divine grant of rule/authority expressed in John 13:3.
- Colossians 1:16-17 (thematic): Affirms Christ’s cosmic status—‘all things were created through him…and in him all things hold together’—supporting the idea of Christ’s sovereign domain and divine origin/relationship to the Father.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jesus knew that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God.
- Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God,
John.13.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- εγειρεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- δειπνου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- τιθησιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ιματια: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- λαβων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- λεντιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- διεζωσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εαυτον·: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Philippians 2:7 (thematic): Paul’s language of Christ ‘taking the form of a servant’ and self‑emptying parallels Jesus’ humble act of girding himself to serve the disciples.
- Mark 10:45 (thematic): Jesus’ purpose ‘not to be served but to serve’ echoes the meaning of his humble foot‑washing act described in John 13:4.
- Matthew 20:28 (thematic): ‘Came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life’ — the same servant‑leadership motif that the image of Jesus girding himself enact.
- Luke 22:27 (structural): In the supper context Jesus contrasts reclining at table with the one who serves, closely paralleling the setting and function of Jesus’ act of girding and serving in John 13.
- Isaiah 53:3 (allusion): The Suffering Servant’s humiliation and rejection provides the prophetic backdrop for New Testament portrayals of Jesus’ humble service, such as his taking a towel and girding himself.
Alternative generated candidates
- So, rising from the meal, he laid aside his outer garments; and taking a towel, he girded himself.
- rose from the table, laid aside his outer garments, and, taking a towel, girded himself.
John.13.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ειτα: ADV
- βαλλει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- υδωρ: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- νιπτηρα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ηρξατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- νιπτειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ποδας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- μαθητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εκμασσειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- λεντιω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- διεζωσμενος: PART,perf,pass,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Exodus 30:18-21 (structural): The priests are commanded to wash their hands and feet before ministering at the tabernacle; echoes the motif of washing feet as a ritual act of purification linked to service and sacred duty.
- Luke 7:44-46 (thematic): A woman washes Jesus' feet and wipes them with her hair—parallels the physical act of foot-washing as an expression of humility, hospitality, repentance, and devotion.
- Mark 10:45 (thematic): Jesus states he came 'to serve, not to be served'—the foot-washing functions as a concrete enactment of Jesus' servant-leadership.
- Philippians 2:5-7 (allusion): Paul's depiction of Christ's self-emptying (kenosis) resonates with the humility of Jesus' kneeling to wash the disciples' feet, exemplifying incarnational humility and service.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.
- Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.
John.13.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ερχεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- προς: PREP
- Σιμωνα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- Πετρον: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Κυριε: PRON,dat,sg,m
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- νιπτεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ποδας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- John 13:4-5 (structural): Immediate narrative context: Jesus rises, lays aside his outer garments, and begins washing the disciples' feet—sets the scene for Peter's question in v.6.
- John 13:8 (verbal): Direct verbal exchange that follows v.6: Peter objects ('You shall never wash my feet'), and Jesus replies, underscoring the theological significance of the washing.
- Luke 7:44-46 (thematic): A woman washes Jesus' feet with her tears and wipes them with her hair—parallels the symbolic meaning of foot-washing as service, humility, and repentance.
- Genesis 18:4 (allusion): Early Old Testament example of the ancient hospitality custom to have guests' feet washed—a cultural background for understanding the action's social and ceremonial dimensions.
Alternative generated candidates
- He came to Simon Peter; and Peter said to him, 'Lord, do you wash my feet?'
- He came to Simon Peter; Peter said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
John.13.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Ο: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- ποιω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- ουκ: PART,neg
- οιδας: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,sg
- αρτι: ADV
- γνωση: VERB,fut,mid,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- μετα: PREP
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- John 12:16 (verbal): Similar wording and idea: the disciples did not understand then, but after Jesus was glorified they remembered/understood—direct parallel of 'you do not know now, but you will know later.'
- John 2:22 (allusion): After the resurrection the disciples 'remembered that he had said this,' showing the pattern of comprehension coming only after later events—echoes the promise of future understanding.
- John 16:12 (thematic): Jesus tells the disciples he has many things they cannot bear/understand now—same theme of present incomprehension with knowledge to come.
- John 16:25 (structural): Jesus contrasts speaking now in figures with a future time of plain speaking and clarity—parallels the assurance that they will understand later.
- Mark 9:32 (thematic): The disciples 'did not understand this saying' about Jesus' death and resurrection—another Synoptic instance of the motif of temporary incomprehension regarding Jesus' actions/words.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jesus answered him, 'What I am doing you do not understand now; but you will understand afterward.'
- Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will understand hereafter."
John.13.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- Πετρος·Ου: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μη: PART
- νιψης: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,sg
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ποδας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αιωνα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αυτω·Εαν: PRON,dat,sg,m
- μη: PART
- νιψω: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,sg
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εχεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μερος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- μετ᾽εμου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
Parallels
- John 13:5 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel: the preceding verse describes Jesus beginning to wash the disciples' feet, which sets the scene for Peter's refusal in v.8.
- John 13:10 (verbal): Jesus' explanation of the washing—'He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet'—clarifies the symbolic meaning of the footwashing that Peter resists.
- John 15:6 (thematic): Similar language of exclusion/relationship: Jesus warns that those who do not abide in him will be 'thrown away,' paralleling 'you have no part with me' as the consequence of refusing the cleansing.
- Titus 3:5 (thematic): Uses washing imagery for spiritual cleansing and regeneration ('washing of regeneration'), echoing the symbolic, salvific connotations of Jesus' act of washing the disciples.
- Mark 10:45 (thematic): Expresses the servant-purpose of Jesus' mission—'to serve and give his life'—which undergirds the humility and service modeled in footwashing and challenged by Peter's refusal.
Alternative generated candidates
- Peter said to him, 'You shall never wash my feet.' Jesus answered, 'If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.'
- Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me."
John.13.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- Σιμων: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Πετρος·Κυριε: PROPN,nom,sg,m+NOUN,voc,sg,m
- μη: PART
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ποδας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- μονον: ADV
- αλλα: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κεφαλην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- John 13:8 (verbal): Jesus' statement "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me" immediately precedes Peter's reply and is the verbal prompt for Peter's request to be washed more fully.
- John 13:12-15 (structural): Jesus explains the meaning of the foot-washing and presents it as a model to follow, directly interpreting the significance of Peter's request.
- John 12:3 (thematic): Mary anoints and wipes Jesus' feet with her hair — a related motif of attention to and care for Jesus' feet as an act of devotion and honor.
- Luke 7:44-48 (thematic): The sinful woman washes Jesus' feet with her tears and hair, linking feet-washing with repentance, forgiveness, and humble devotion similar to the Johannine scene's themes.
- Ephesians 5:26 (thematic): Paul's image of Christ "washing with water by the word" to sanctify the church echoes the cleansing language of Jesus' foot-washing and its symbolic meaning of belonging and purification.
Alternative generated candidates
- Simon Peter said to him, 'Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.'
- Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head."
John.13.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους·Ο: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- λελουμενος: PART,perf,pass,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εχει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- χρειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ποδας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- νιψασθαι: VERB,aor,mid,inf
- αλλ᾽εστιν: CONJ+VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- καθαρος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ολος·και: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- καθαροι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- αλλ᾽ουχι: CONJ
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- John 13:8 (verbal): Immediate verbal parallel in the same pericope — Jesus speaks of washing (νίψαι) as necessary for participation, directly connected to v.10's distinction between having bathed and needing feet washed.
- John 15:3 (verbal): Uses the same verb and idea of being 'clean' (καθαροί); links Jesus' word/teaching as a basis for the disciples' cleansing, echoing 13:10's claim 'you are clean.'
- Exodus 30:17-21 (allusion): Priestly rite of washing hands and feet at the bronze basin before service in the tent of meeting — a background for Jesus' foot‑washing imagery and concern with ritual/functional cleansing.
- Leviticus 14:8-9 (thematic): Instructions for the cleansing of a healed leper ('he shall wash his clothes… he shall be clean') — parallels the motif of ceremonial purification and the language of being made 'clean' (καθαρός).
Alternative generated candidates
- Jesus said to him, 'He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, and is wholly clean; and you are clean—though not all of you.'
- Jesus said to him, "The one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, and is completely clean; and you are clean—though not all of you."
John.13.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ηδει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- γαρ: PART
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- παραδιδοντα: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,sg,m
- αυτον·δια: PRON,acc,sg,m,3
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- Ουχι: PART,neg
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- καθαροι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- John 6:64-71 (verbal): John uses nearly identical language elsewhere: Jesus 'knew from the beginning who would not believe and who would betray him,' explicitly identifying Judas—direct verbal parallel to v.11's claim that he knew the betrayer.
- John 2:24-25 (verbal): States that Jesus 'knew all people' and 'knew what was in each person,' supporting the Johannine theme that Jesus had intimate knowledge of others' hearts, as in v.11.
- Matthew 26:21-25 (structural): At the Last Supper Jesus announces that one of the diners will betray him and the disciples inquire who it is—the same supper-setting and narrative function as John 13 where Jesus indicates not all are 'clean.'
- Psalm 41:9 (quotation): Speaks of a close companion who turns against the psalmist ('even my close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me'); John later cites this verse (13:18) in connection with Judas' betrayal, linking v.11's knowledge of betrayal to the prophetic tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- For he knew who was to betray him; that is why he said, 'You are not all clean.'
- For he knew the one who was betraying him; therefore he said, "Not all of you are clean."
John.13.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Οτε: CONJ
- ουν: CONJ
- ενιψεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ποδας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ελαβεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ιματια: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ανεπεσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- παλιν: ADV
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Γινωσκετε: PRON,dat,pl,3+VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- πεποιηκα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
Parallels
- John 13:14 (verbal): Immediate explanatory follow-up: Jesus draws the practical lesson from the foot-washing—because he washed their feet, they ought to wash one another’s feet.
- John 13:15 (thematic): Direct interpretive summary of 'what I have done' — Jesus presents his action as an example to be imitated.
- Luke 22:27 (thematic): In the Last Supper setting Jesus again identifies himself as a servant among the disciples, underscoring the humility embodied in the foot-washing.
- Mark 10:45 (thematic): Summarizes Jesus’ mission of servanthood: the Son of Man came to serve rather than be served, a principle exemplified by washing the disciples’ feet.
- Philippians 2:5-8 (structural): Paul’s hymn on Christ’s humility and self-emptying echoes the theological significance of Jesus’ humble service demonstrated in the foot-washing.
Alternative generated candidates
- When he had washed their feet, and put on his garments, and had sat down again, he said to them, 'Do you understand what I have done to you?'
- When he had washed their feet and taken his garments and sat down again, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you?
John.13.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- φωνειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- Ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- διδασκαλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- καλως: ADV
- λεγετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- γαρ: PART
Parallels
- John 13:14 (structural): Immediate context: Jesus identifies himself again as 'Lord and Teacher' and follows this claim by performing the foot‑washing, modeling the servant‑leadership implicit in the titles.
- John 8:58 (verbal): Jesus' use of 'I am' (ἐγώ εἰμι) echoes the same Greek formula here, linking a claim of identity/being that in John often carries divine overtones.
- Exodus 3:14 (allusion): The OT divine name 'I AM (WHO I AM)' provides the background for New Testament uses of 'I am,' suggesting a theological resonance when Jesus asserts 'for I am.'
- Matthew 23:8-10 (thematic): Discussion of the titles 'teacher' (Rabbi) and calling no one 'father' or 'teacher' on earth contrasts with the recognition of Jesus as the true Teacher—highlighting authority and role behind such titles.
- Philippians 2:11 (thematic): The confessional acclamation 'Jesus Christ is Lord' parallels the acknowledgment of Jesus as 'Lord' here, showing early Christian confession of his lordship.
Alternative generated candidates
- You call me Teacher and Lord, and you speak rightly, for so I am.
- You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.
John.13.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- ενιψα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ποδας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- διδασκαλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- οφειλετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- αλληλων: PRON,gen,pl,3
- νιπτειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ποδας·: NOUN,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- John 13:12-15 (structural): Immediate literary context: Jesus' foot-washing action (v.5) and his explicit command that the disciples should follow his example of humble service.
- Mark 10:43-45 (thematic): Jesus teaches servant leadership—true greatness is found in serving others, exemplified by his own giving of himself as 'servant' and 'ransom,' paralleling the foot-washing model of humble service.
- Matthew 20:26-28 (thematic): Parallel teaching to Mark: disciples must not lord it over others but rather become servants, for the Son of Man came to serve—echoes the obligation to serve one another after Jesus' example.
- Philippians 2:5-8 (thematic): Paul's Christological exhortation highlights Christ's humility and self-emptying (kenosis); Jesus' washing of feet is a concrete instance of that humble, self-giving behavior believers are to imitate.
- Galatians 5:13 (thematic): Paul exhorts believers to 'serve one another through love,' echoing the ethical obligation in John 13:14 that Christians owe one another humble service modeled by Jesus.
Alternative generated candidates
- If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
- If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
John.13.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- υποδειγμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- γαρ: PART
- εδωκα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ινα: CONJ
- καθως: CONJ
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- εποιησα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- ποιητε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- John 13:14 (structural): Immediate context and parallel command: Jesus performs foot-washing and immediately instructs disciples to do likewise—directly supports 'I have given you an example.'
- 1 Peter 2:21 (verbal): Uses the same language of Christ 'leaving an example' and calls believers to follow his steps—explicitly parallels the motif of imitating Jesus' actions.
- 1 John 2:6 (thematic): States that whoever claims to abide in Christ must 'walk just as he walked,' echoing the ethical call to do as Jesus did.
- Philippians 2:5-7 (thematic): Calls believers to adopt Christ's mindset of humility and self-emptying—presents Jesus' self-giving as the model for Christian behavior, like John 13:15.
- Matthew 20:28 (thematic): Describes Jesus' mission to serve rather than be served ('came... to serve'), providing the servant-leadership model that John 13:15 summons disciples to imitate.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
- For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
John.13.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- αμην: PART
- αμην: PART
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- δουλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μειζων: ADJ,comp,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- αποστολος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μειζων: ADJ,comp,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πεμψαντος: VERB,aor,act,part,gen,sg,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- John 15:20 (verbal): Repeats the same saying within John and applies it to persecution: 'A servant is not greater than his master,' introducing the warning that if they persecuted Jesus they will persecute his followers.
- Matthew 10:24-25 (verbal): Closely parallel wording in the Synoptics: 'A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master,' used to prepare the disciples for opposition and hardship.
- Luke 6:40 (thematic): A related saying using the teacher/student imagery: 'A student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher,' emphasizing the relationship and model-following between teacher and pupil.
- Philippians 2:5-8 (thematic): Develops the theological theme of Christ's humility and servanthood—'Christ Jesus... emptied himself, taking the form of a servant'—which undergirds the ethic that a servant is not greater than his Lord.
Alternative generated candidates
- Truly, truly, I say to you: a servant is not greater than his lord, nor is the one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.
- Truly, truly, I say to you: a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
John.13.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- οιδατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- μακαριοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- εαν: CONJ
- ποιητε: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,pl
- αυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Luke 11:28 (verbal): A closely parallel beatitude: 'Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it,' linking blessedness directly to hearing and doing God's word.
- Matthew 7:24 (verbal): Jesus teaches that whoever hears his words and does them is like the wise man—explicitly connecting hearing Jesus' instruction with the right, beneficial outcome.
- James 1:22 (thematic): Urges believers to be 'doers of the word, and not hearers only,' reflecting the same ethical demand that knowledge/ hearing must result in action.
- Psalm 119:1 (thematic): An Old Testament beatitude that ties blessedness to walking blamelessly in God's law, prefiguring the NT link between obedience and blessing.
- John 15:14 (structural): Another conditional Johannine formulation: 'You are my friends if you do whatever I command you,' paralleling the structure that identifies blessing/relationship with doing.
Alternative generated candidates
- If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
- If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
Before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, loved them to the end. And during the supper, the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray him.
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to the Father,
rose from the table, laid aside his outer robe, and taking a towel tied it around his waist.
Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.
He came to Simon Peter; Peter said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?"
Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will understand afterward."
Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with me."
Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head."
Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is entirely clean—and you are clean, though not all of you."
For he knew who would betray him; therefore he said, "Not all of you are clean."
When he had washed their feet and taken his garments and sat down again, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you?"
You call me Teacher and Lord, and you speak rightly, for so I am.
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.