John 13:10
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Jesus told him, “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
He that is washed--in this thorough sense, to express which the word is carefully changed to one meaning to wash as in a bath. needeth not--to be so washed any more. save to wash his feet--needeth to do no more than wash his feet (and here the former word is resumed, meaning to wash the hands or feet). but is clean every whit--as a whole. This sentence is singularly instructive. Of the two cleansings, the one points to that which takes place at the commencement of the Christian life, embracing complete absolution from sin as a guilty state, and entire deliverance from it as a polluted life (Rev 1:5; Co1 6:11) --or, in the language of theology, Justification and Regeneration. This cleansing is effected once for all, and is never repeated. The other cleansing, described as that of "the feet," is such as one walking from a bath quite cleansed still needs, in consequence of his contact with the earth. (Compare Exo 30:18-19). It is the daily cleansing which we are taught to seek, when in the spirit of adoption we say, "Our Father which art in heaven . . . forgive us our debts" (Mat 6:9, Mat 6:12); and, when burdened with the sense of manifold shortcomings--as what tender spirit of a Christian is not?--is it not a relief to be permitted thus to wash our feet after a day's contact with the earth? This is not to call in question the completeness of our past justification. Our Lord, while graciously insisting on washing Peter's feet, refuses to extend the cleansing farther, that the symbolical instruction intended to be conveyed might not be marred. and ye are clean--in the first and whole sense. but not all--important, as showing that Judas, instead of being as true-hearted a disciple as the rest at first, and merely falling away afterwards--as many represent it--never experien…
Open source ↗Our Saviour having finished his public discourses, in which he "endured the contradiction of sinners," now applies himself to a private conversation with his friends, in which he designed the consolation of saints. Henceforward we have an account of what passed between him and his disciples, who were to be entrusted with the affairs of his household, when he was gone into a far country; the necessary instructions and comforts he furnished them with. His hour being at hand, he applies himself to set his house in order. In this chapter I. He washes his disciples' feet (v. 1-17). II. He foretels who should betray him (Joh 13:18-30). III. He instructs them in the great doctrine of his own death, and the great duty of brotherly love (Joh 13:31-35). IV. He foretels Peter's denying him (Joh 13:36-38).
Open source ↗13:10 Jesus referred to an ultimate cleansing through his sacrifice which makes a person clean all over.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The man who released the goat as the scapegoat must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may reenter the camp.
The one who burns them must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and afterward he may reenter the camp.
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.
Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.