John 13

Christ rising from supper girdeth himself and washeth his Disciples feet, 6 which Peter at first refuseth and afterward suffereth, 12 Christ exhorteth them to imitate this example of his humility and serviceableness, 18 foretelleth that one of them should betray him; against which he comforteth his disciples, 22 and sheweth John by giving a dipped morsel that it was Judas, 27 who after that the Devil was entred into him goeth forth, 13 Afterward Christ speaketh with his other Disciples of his glorifying, 34 and exhorts them to mutuall love, 37 Peter will lay down his life for him : but Christ foretelleth him,that he shall deny him thrice.

1. AND before the feast of the passover,[Namely,the evening before his suffering and death.For Christ kept the passover at the right time,according to Gods institution,but the Jews adjourned at that time to the the day.The reason hereof see in the annotation,Matth.26.20.] Jesus knowing that his hour was come,that out of this world he should go over to the Father,[namely,by his death,resurrection,and ascension] Seeing he had loved his,that were in the world,he loved them unto the end.[namely,of his life,or without ceasing, John 17.ver.12.]

2. And when supper was done,[That is,the meal in which the Paschal lamb was eaten by them,so that they still sat at the table,which was not yet taken away,ver.12. After which meal Christ afterwards instituted and held his supper.See Luke 22:15 etc.Others translate it,while they were at supper] (when now the devil had put [Gr.cast] into the heart of Judas [The Son] of Simon,Iscariot,that he should betray him.)

3. Jesus knowing that the Father hath given all things into his hands,[That is,put in his power,Matth.28.18.] and that he came forth from God,and went unto God.

4. Rose up from supper,and laid aside (his) garments,[Namely,upper garments,as this word is often taken.See Matth.5.40 and Luke 6:29.] and taking a linen cloth,girded himself about.[namely to be the more ready for this service,and to dry their feet with this towell.Thus servants used to serve their Lords. See Luke 17:8.]

5. Afterward he powred water [Gr.cast] into a bason,[or washing vessell] and began to wash the feet of the Disciples,and to dry them with the linen cloth,wherewith he was girded about.

6. Then came he to Simon Peter,and he said unto him,Lord,wilt thou wash my feet? [Namely,who art my Lord and Master.Although he speaketh this out of reverence,yet there is ignorance also mingled with it,seeing Christ will have us obey him,even though it seems to us,that he commands some strange thing.]

7. Jesus answered and said unto him,what i do,[That is,wherefore i do this] thou knowest not now,but thou shalt understand it after this.[namely,when i shall have declared it unto you,as he doth v,13.14.]

8. Peter said unto him thou shalt not wash my feet for ever:[That is,i will never suffer that] Jesus answered him,if i wash thee not,thou hast no part with me.[Christ takes occasion from the outward washing to speak of the spiritual washing or cleaning away of sins,by his blood and spirit,1 Cor.6.11. Tit.3.5. 1 John 1:7,8.like as he ta other times takes such like occasions.]

9. Simon Peter said unto him,Lord,not only my feet,but the hands and the head.

10. Jesus said unto him,he that is washed,needeth not but to wash the feet,but is all clean;[Christ teacheth here that like as they which have washed their whole body in the hot baths,must also afterward wash their feet,so also his disciples being inwardly washed by his blood and spirit,must also outwardly cleanse their actions and goings] and ye are clean,[that is,by me cleansed from sin and the dominion of the saying,Rom.6.11,12.] but not all.

11. For he knew who should betray him;therefore he said,ye are not all clean.

12. When therefore he had washed their feet and taken his garments,he sate down again,and said unto them,understand yee what i have done to you? [That is,to what end i have done this.]

13. Ye call me Master and Lord,and ye say well, for i am so.[Namely, in truth.]

14. If i therefore the Lord and the master,have washed your feet,so ought you also to wash one anothers feet.[That is much more if need be,to shew one another all manner of offices of love,even those which otherwise use to be done by the meanest;but not to use this as as a Sacrament;seeing this is not Christs ayme in this place.]

15. For i have given you an example,that in like manner as i have done to you,ye do also

16. Verily,verily,i say unto you,A servant is not greater then his Lord,neither an Ambassador [Or one that is sent.Gr.Apostolos] greater then he that sent him.

17. If ye know these things,[Namely,which i have taught you by mine own example,as love humility,mutuall serviceableness] blessed are ye if ye doe the same.

18. I speak not of you all,[Namely,that ye all shall observe it ; for Judas should not do it,as followeth] i know whom i have chosen:[namely,to eternall salvation Ephe.1.4.] but (this comes to pass,) that the Scripture may be fulfilled : He that eateth bread with me [that is,he that is daily at my Table,and converseth with me] hath lift up his heel against me, [that is, hath set himself against me as an enemy.See the annotation on Psalm.41.10.]

19. From this time i tell it you before it is come to pass,that when it shall be come to pass,ye may believe, that i am he,the true Messias and Son of God,who knowes all things beforehand.]

20. Verily,verily, i say unto you,if i send any man, he that receiveth (him) he receiveth me: and he that receiveth me, he receiveth him that sent me .

21. Jesus having said these things, was troubled in Spirit, [That is, in his minde, by the confideration aswel of the treason of Judas as of the punishment which should therefore come upon him] and testified and said, Verily, verily, i say unto you that one of you shall betray me.

22. The Disciples therefore looked one upon another doubting of whom he spake (that.)

23. And one of his Disciples was siting down in Jesus bosom, [Gr. was lying. Namely, after the manner of Ancients who sate not at the Table as we do; but lay on couches on their elbows: so that John lying next to Christ could conveniently bend his head towards Christs breast] whom Jesus loved.[That is, John, whom Christ specially loved: so he discribeth himself also John 21.ver. 20.24.]

24. Simon Peter therefore beckned to him ,that he should ask who he should be,of whom he said (this).

25. And he falling on Jesus brest [That is, bending his head towards Christs brest,to understand quietly and secretly,who the traitor should be] said unto him,Lord wo is it?

26. Jesus answered [Namely,softly to John alone as appears ver.28 He it is to whom I shall give te morsel when I have dipped it;And when he had dipped the morsell,he gave it to Judas (the Son) of Simon,Iscariot.

27. And after te morsell [Namely,received by Judas] then entered Satan into him .[that is,from thenceforth wholly possessed him,to execute his treason,which he had before by the sugggestion of the Devil promised to the chief Priests.See Luke 22:3.and here ver.2.]Then said Jesus unto him,that which thou doft [that is,intendest to doe.By these words Christ would not command,that Judas should go forward in his treason,but thereby giveth to understand that this treason was known to him,and thhat he was willing to suffer this.See the like phrase Revel.22.11.] doe it quickly.

28. And no man of those that sate down understood this,wherefore he said (that) unto him.

29. For some thought seeing Judas badthe purse,[That is,received,kept,and laid out the mony,which was given to Christ by godlywomen and others,for maintanance of himself and his Disciples Luke 8:3.] that Jesus said unto him,Buy that which we have need of for te feast ,[tat is,for provision to hold out the feast] or that he should give somewhat to the poor.

30. He therefore having taken the morsel went fort immediately.[Namely,to te chief Priests and Captains,to put the treason to execution] And it was night.

31. Therefore when he has one out,Jesus said,Now is the Son of man glorified,and od is glorified in him.[That is,Now the time is here,that I by my suffering and death,shall brin te Devil and deat to nought,and afterwards enter into my glory.]

32. If(or for as much as) God be glorified in him,[i.e.by him.See hereof the annotation on John 17:1.]God shall also glorifie him in himself,and he shall straightway glorifie him.

33. Little children,yet a little (while)I am with you ye shall seek me,[That is,long for my presence] and as said unto the Jews whither i go ye cannot come;[namely,into heaven whither i shall ascend within a short time,after my death and resurrection] (So) I now say to you also.[namely,that ye at this time cannot o thither with me.See John 8:21.and here v.36.]

34. And new commandement i give unto you [That is,newly declared and confirmed by me,by my doctrine and example of my singular love, John 15:13. For the same command was also in the old Testament.See1 John 2. v.7,8 and 2 John5.] that ye love one another.As i have loved you that ye also love one another.

35. Herein shall they all know that ye are my Disciples.[That is my right and true Disciples,whom i acknowledge for such] if ye have love one among another.

36. Simon Peter said unto him,Lord,whither goest thou? Jesus answered him,whither i go,thou canst follow me now,but thou shalt follow me [Namely,by a death into my glory,John 21:19.]afterwards. [namely,when thou shalt have finished thy course and ministry,and shalt be stronger in the faith.]

37. Peter said unto him ,Lord,wherefore can i not follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thee?

38. Jesus answered him,wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Verily,verily,I say into thee,the cock shall not crow [That is,shall not have finished his crowing this night.See Mat.26.34. and Mark 14:30.] untill thou shalt have denied me thrice.