Strife Among the Disciples

Example of Service (John 13:1-20)

John clearly states that the Passover meal which Jesus and his disciples had partook of occurred before the Feast of the Passover had begun. The event here occurred during the supper, which matches the Greek. Some translations state that it was after the supper, but this is not true as they were still eating (John 13:26). Whether it occurred before or after the Lord’s supper is hard to determine since John doesn’t record when the Lord’s supper occurred during the meal.

Jesus, knowing that the end had come, desired to share these last hours with his disciples whom he loved. He knew that he had come from heaven and would be returning there. He also knew all the Father had given him all, yet he wanted to demonstrate to his disciples that even he wasn’t above serving others (Philippians 2:5-11). It is important to understand that in this demonstration, even Judas Iscariot was present and that he had already decided to betray Jesus – and Jesus knew this. The Greek text states that Satan had thrown the idea into Judas’ heart much as one would throw a dart (Ephesians 6:16). The idea is that Satan had tempted Judas with the betrayal, and the idea stuck.

It is a custom in this region for guests of a host to have the dust of roads washed from one’s feet. Either water was provided so a person could do it himself (Genesis 18:4; 19:2; 24:32; 43:24). Sometimes a slave performed the task, and it was considered the lowest of jobs (I Samuel 25:41). It is strongly possible that this common task was not performed at the start of the Passover meal; perhaps because the disciples were too focused on their own position (Luke 22:24).

But Jesus rises from the meal, puts aside his garments, puts a towel around his waist, pours water into a basin, and begins washing each disciple’s feet, drying them with the cloth he is wearing. Not only was he cleansing their feet, but he was also taking their uncleanness upon himself.

When he reached Peter, Peter objected. It was too much for Peter to have his Lord behaving like a servant and serving him. It offended Peter’s sensibilities. Jesus was Lord, and he was just a lowly disciple. But Jesus explained that while Peter didn’t understand what was happening, he would explain his actions later. Still, Peter refused, “You shall never wash my feet!” Peter often took the extreme point, only later to regret it. It is also ironic because Peter objected because Jesus was his Lord, yet he ordered his Lord not to wash his feet.

Jesus pointed out that if he did not permit Jesus to wash his feet, they could have nothing to do with each other. If Peter was unwilling to obey the Lord in this small matter, he wasn’t worthy to be a disciple of Jesus. Jesus’ statement has a double meaning. Unless a person is washed in the blood of Christ, he cannot be a disciple of Christ (I Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 10:22).

Peter, seeing that his relationship with Christ depended on this act, went to the other extreme and asked that Jesus also bathe his hands and head. If this was what it took to belong to Jesus, he wanted to do so fully.

Jesus replies that a person who has bathed earlier only needs to remove the recently gained dirt on his feet. By this, Jesus is stating that most of his disciples were basically righteous and needed only some improvement (John 15:3). The principle is why a person who has been baptized does not need to be re-baptized after he has stumbled into sin (I John 1:7-10). However, Jesus hints that this principle can’t be applied to everyone. One, Judas Iscariot, had already decided to betray the Christ. No amount of cleansing would atone for one determined to remain in sin.

But it is important to understand that Jesus did wash even the feet of his betrayer. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?” (Matthew 5:44-46).

Betrayer is Revealed (Matthew 26:21-25; Mark 14:18-21; Luke 22:21-23; John 13:21-30)

This is one of the few events in Jesus’ life recorded in all four gospels. Matthew and Mark mention this event before the Lord’s Supper was instituted. Luke, whose account is in chronological order, mentions that it happens after the Lord’s Supper. Since John doesn’t record the Lord’s Supper, we can’t draw a conclusion.

During the Passover meal, Jesus announces that one present would betray him. The fact greatly distressed Jesus (John 13:21), indicating that Jesus did not wish the consequences on his betrayer. The announcement also upsets the disciples, and they each began asking each other and the Lord if Jesus was referring to him. Notice that the disciples did not begin accusing each other. Each was concerned that he might betray his Lord without intention. In the Greek text, the form of their question expected a “no” for an answer; thus, each asked, “Surely it is not I?” Jesus, however, stated it was the who shared the food bowl with him. This fulfills the prophecy in Psalm 41:9. The bowl is probably a sauce made from raisins, vinegar, and bitter herbs that the Jews commonly used during the Passover meal. Bowls of the sauce were set on the table, and people dipped pieces of bread into it before eating, much the way we dip corn chips into salsa.

Jesus further stated that he would go just as it had been prophesied, but the one who betrayed him would still be held guilty even though it was ordained to happen in this fashion. Thus, Jesus states that even though God willed for it to happen in this manner, those participating – including his betrayer – were still acting of their own free will and would be held accountable for their actions. Jesus states that it would have been better for that person to have not been born than to face what he must face.

The disciples still found the statement unclear. Several people probably shared the bowl. So Peter motioned to John to ask Jesus who he was talking about. John describes himself as the one whom Jesus loved; in other words, of all the disciples, he was the one who was closest to Jesus. In this case, he was physically closest to the Lord at the meal as he leaned against Jesus. Peter probably hoped that he would get a more direct answer if John asked. In response to John’s question, Jesus took a piece of bread, dipped it into the sauce, and handed it to Judas Iscariot.

Acting as if he didn’t already realize who Jesus was talking about, Judas asked if he was the one Jesus was talking about. Jesus replied, “You have said it.” John tells us that Satan then entered Judas’ heart; in other words, Judas became more determined to betray Jesus because he had been exposed in front of the others.

Jesus told him to do what he planned quickly. The other disciples, still not comprehending what was going on, thought Jesus had given Judas some instructions concerning the funds he kept and that he wanted Judas to buy something else for the meal or that he wanted someone aided from the funds.

Judas then immediately left, even though it was now dark. Notice that neither Matthew nor Mark’s accounts specify when Judas left. Thus, though in a different order than Luke’s account, it doesn’t rule out Judas being present when the Lord’s Supper was instituted, as Luke’s account implies.

Who is the Greatest (Luke 22:24-30)

The talk of one betraying the Lord brings up the old argument concerning who among the disciples would be the greatest in the kingdom (Matthew 18:1; 20:20-28; Mark 9:34; Luke 9:46). When combined with John’s account concerning the foot washing that happened before Judas left, the fact that the disciples were still arguing over position demonstrates they did not understand what Jesus was trying to tell them. And just as Jesus is about to give them final instructions before his death, they are still returning to the same point of contention.

Using the same points he made before (Matthew 20:25; Mark 10:42), Jesus points out that among the Gentile kings exercise authority over other people and for that people call them “benefactors.” Their exercise of power over other people is seen as giving a favor to lesser men. But this is not how Jesus’ kingdom operates. The greatest, the one most valued, will be the one who takes the position of the younger (that is, showing humility) and who serves others.

Jesus points again to his own example. The greatest is the one who sits at the table, but Jesus has gotten up and served them. His purpose in coming to this world was to serve others (Philippians 2:7).

Those who were present (Judas had already left) were those who remained by him through his various trials. In reward, Jesus was giving them a kingdom, just as he himself would be receiving a kingdom from the Father (Luke 12:32; II Corinthians 1:7; II Timothy 2:12). And in that kingdom, they would all have favored positions and positions of authority. Those who shared a lord’s table were considered to be in high favor with the ruler. Those who sit on thrones to give judgment are those in greatest authority. This is again something Jesus had promised them before (Matthew 19:28).