The Hidden Meaning Behind Jesus Washing the Disciples’ Feet

There is more than meets the eye

One of the (many) ways the Gospel of John differs from the other gospels is that John does not provide a story of the Last Supper.

In part, this is because John is writing later and sees his gospel as a companion piece to the other gospels and has chosen to include details or stories that the synoptics (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) did not include.

One of the examples of this is John’s story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. (John 13)

In this story, Jesus leaves his seat, takes off his outer garments and wraps himself in a towel. He then takes a basin of water and using the towel, washes the disciples feet. After this He returns to his seat and issues an unusual command.

…He said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. (John 13:12–14, ESV)

I say that this command is unusual because it is never repeated in the New Testament, nor does “foot washing” seem to be a regular practice of the early church.

Most people see this passage simply as about being “servant-hearted” or being humble. But there are a few problems with such an interpretation.

If Jesus was just modeling servantship:

• Why did he tell the disciples they would not understand what He was doing until later?

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” (John 13:6–7, ESV)

• Why did he tell Peter that—if Jesus did not wash him—Peter would have no part in Him?

Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” (John 13:8, ESV)

• And, as above, why do the disciples not refer back to this event in their instructions to the early church?

Jesus is actually teaching a much deeper lesson than meets the eye. Look at how the passage begins.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. (John 13:3–4, ESV)

Consider those words, Jesus that “he had come from God and was going back to God.” Why does John mention this detail? In fact John tells us this is what Jesus was thinking about as he rose from the supper.

Jesus was not just teaching about serving others.

Jesus was illustrating for the disciples the story of the gospel.

Just as Jesus had left his dwelling with God and had concealed his glory, He demonstrates this by leaving his place of honor at the table and taking off his outer garment.

Just as Jesus had taken on humanity, the form of a servant, Jesus—like a servant—wraps himself with a towel. This towel represents Jesus’ human flesh.

Just as Jesus washed the feet of the disciples with the towel, so He would soon use his flesh to cleanse them of sin through his death on the cross.

Just as Jesus put back on his outer garments, He would be resuming his glory once again through his resurrection from the dead.

Just as Jesus resumed his place at the table, so would He soon be resuming his rightful place by the Father’s side in heaven.

This is why the disciples could not yet understand what Jesus was doing. They did not yet know what Jesus was going to accomplish on the cross.

Considering these things, Jesus’ command that we “wash one another’s feet” takes on an entirely new depth of meaning.

Jesus is calling his followers to sacrificially love one another to the same degree that He has loved us. In fact he will specifically say these words later in this same chapter.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34–35, ESV)

This is the love of Jesus, not just that He would die, but that He would condescend to us, becoming one of us. Jesus has forever taken on the form of a servant for our sake.

Jesus has done this not just to save us, but to model for us the love we ought to have for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Consider Paul’s words when explaining to the church of the love they ought to have for one another.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Phillipians 2:5–8, ESV)

My brothers and sisters, let us love one another as Christ first loved us.

Live for Jesus.

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