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John 13:3
Verse
Context
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
2The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.3Jesus knew that the Father had delivered all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God.4So He got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist.
Sermons





Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Knowing that the Father had given, etc. - Our Lord, seeing himself almost at the end of his race, and being about to leave his apostles, thought it necessary to leave them a lesson of humility exemplified by himself, to deliver them from the bad influence of those false ideas which they formed concerning the nature of his kingdom. On all occasions previously to this, the disciples had shown too much attachment to worldly honors and dignities: if this ambition had not been removed, the consequences of it would have been dreadful in the establishment of the religion of Christ; as after his death, it would have divided and infallibly dispersed them. It was necessary therefore to restrain this dangerous passion, and to confirm by a remarkable example what he had so often told them, - that true greatness consisted in the depth of humility, and that those who were the willing servants of all should be the highest in the account of God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, &c.--This verse is very sublime, and as a preface to what follows, were we not familiar with it, would fill us with inexpressible surprise. An unclouded perception of His relation to the Father, the commission He held from Him, and His approaching return to Him, possessed His soul.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Jesus knowing that the Father,.... These words express the sense Christ had of his own greatness and dignity as Mediator: had given all things into his hands; all the persons of the elect, all blessings both of grace and glory for them, and power and authority over all other persons and things, to make them subservient to his purposes: and that he was come from God; had his mission and commission, as man, from God; did not come of himself, but he sent him: and went to God; or was going to him in a very little time, to sit at his right hand, to have a name above every name, and to have angels, authorities, and powers subject to him; which, as it shows his high esteem with his Father, and his exalted character as Mediator, so it greatly illustrates his wonderful humility, that in the view, and under a sense and consideration of all this, he should condescend to wash the feet of his disciples; of which an account is given in the following verses.
John 13:3
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
2The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.3Jesus knew that the Father had delivered all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God.4So He got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Salvation by Christ's Life
By Major Ian Thomas4.7K38:22SalvationMAT 6:33JHN 13:3JHN 14:10ROM 12:1HEB 9:14HEB 10:5In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the nature of Jesus' victory and how it relates to Christian believers. He emphasizes that Jesus' victory was not based on simply avoiding sin, but rather on his complete submission to the purpose for which he was born. Jesus presented himself to the Father through the eternal Spirit, and every action he took was an expression of the Father in him. Through his death on the cross, Jesus became the author of eternal salvation for those who obey him. The speaker also mentions his gratitude for the arrangements made for his visit and expresses his willingness to meet with parents and friends of students at the college.
The Last Supper
By Gayle Erwin1.2K55:45Last SupperMAT 14:29MAT 16:23MAT 20:20JHN 1:14JHN 13:3JHN 13:14JHN 13:17In this sermon, the preacher sets the stage by explaining the significance of the first three verses of John 13. He highlights Jesus' knowledge that the Father had given Him all power, emphasizing the incredible authority Jesus possessed. The preacher then transitions to discussing the nature of Jesus and the profound passage in John 13. He explains that this event takes place during the Feast of the Passover, a time of excitement and crowds. Jesus, with a keen sense of timing, knew that His hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father.
The Appearing of Resurrection and the Giving of Power
By Newman Sze8201:22:11MAT 28:1MAT 28:19MRK 16:15LUK 24:44JHN 20:19JHN 21:25In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the 40 days that Jesus spent on earth after His resurrection. He explains that during this time, Jesus trained His disciples to shift their focus from external things to internal revelation, from the flesh to the Holy Spirit, and from the law to life. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about a turbulent airplane ride to illustrate the need for Christians to rise above fear and rely on the Holy Spirit. He concludes by urging the audience to prioritize their personal encounter with the Lord and the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Christian Temper as Exemplified in Christ
By A.B. Simpson0Surrender to ChristHumilityJHN 13:3PHP 2:5A.B. Simpson emphasizes the importance of embodying the Christian temper as exemplified by Christ, urging believers to adopt the mindset of humility, surrender, and obedience that Jesus demonstrated throughout His life. He illustrates how Christ, despite His divine nature, willingly humbled Himself, surrendered His rights, and ultimately sacrificed His life for humanity's redemption. Simpson encourages Christians to recognize their own dignity as children of God, which empowers them to serve others selflessly. He concludes that true imitation of Christ is not merely about following His example but allowing Christ to live through us, transforming our hearts and minds. The essence of the Christian life is to let the mind of Christ dwell within us, enabling us to reflect His character in our daily lives.
Jesus Dependent Psalm 16
By John Nelson Darby0Dependence on ChristSpiritual NourishmentPSA 16:11PSA 17:15MAT 3:6JHN 13:3JHN 14:6JHN 20:17ROM 8:29HEB 2:131JN 1:71JN 2:1John Nelson Darby emphasizes the multifaceted nature of Jesus Christ, portraying Him as the Son of God, the Son of Man, and our High Priest. He highlights that true knowledge of God and humanity is found in Christ, who embodies grace and truth. Darby explains that Christ's dependence and obedience to the Father serve as a model for believers, encouraging them to follow His path of life through faith and reliance on Him. He also stresses the importance of recognizing Christ as the source of spiritual nourishment, urging believers to feed on His sacrifice and love. Ultimately, Darby calls for a deep affection for Christ, who leads us to fullness of joy in the presence of God.
Philippians Chapter 2 the Christian Temper as Exemplified in Christ
By A.B. Simpson0ChristlikenessHumilityJHN 13:3PHP 2:5A.B. Simpson emphasizes the importance of embodying the mind of Christ as described in Philippians 2:5, illustrating how Jesus exemplified humility, voluntary surrender, and complete obedience. He explains that Christ's conscious dignity allowed Him to serve others selflessly, and that true Christian character is formed by allowing Christ to live through us. Simpson highlights that our transformation into Christ's likeness is not achieved by our efforts but by yielding to His indwelling presence, which empowers us to reflect His attributes in our lives. The sermon calls believers to embrace their identity as children of God and to let Christ's life flow through them, leading to a life of humility and service.
Fullness in Everything
By Major Ian Thomas0FaithAdequacy in ChristJHN 13:3JHN 15:5COL 1:19COL 2:9Major Ian Thomas emphasizes the profound truth that believers can do nothing without Christ, who is the source of all fullness and adequacy. He illustrates that just as Jesus was fully available to the Father, we too can experience the fullness of life through our availability to Him. The key to unlocking this divine action in our lives is simple faith—trusting God's Word and acknowledging His sufficiency in every circumstance. Thomas encourages believers to rejoice and give thanks in all situations, as Christ's adequacy is sufficient for every challenge we face. Ultimately, our faith in Christ allows us to live fully and fruitfully in Him.
Pre-Eminence
By H.J. Vine0JHN 5:23JHN 13:3ROM 5:8EPH 4:9PHP 2:9COL 1:182TH 2:71TI 3:4HEB 2:10H.J. Vine preaches on the pre-eminence of Christ in all things, settled by God Himself, highlighting how pride and ambition have historically aimed at pre-eminence, leading to the fall of Satan. The sermon emphasizes that pre-eminence belongs to Jesus Christ universally, encompassing both earth and heavens, and the importance of accepting God's settlement. It delves into the significance of Christ's work on the cross, His rejection by man, and the future exaltation where He will be glorified and honored by all.
Like Unto Us
By Hudson Taylor0JHN 13:31CO 1:27PHP 2:7HEB 2:17James Hudson Taylor emphasizes the humility and compassion of Jesus Christ, who chose to become fully human in order to save mankind. Taylor highlights how Jesus could have appeared in a more majestic form to attract more followers, but instead, He chose to identify with the people He came to save, even enduring indignity and suffering. Taylor encourages Christian missionaries to follow Jesus' example of humility and service, seeking to identify with the poor and marginalized to bring them to salvation through Jesus Christ.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Knowing that the Father had given, etc. - Our Lord, seeing himself almost at the end of his race, and being about to leave his apostles, thought it necessary to leave them a lesson of humility exemplified by himself, to deliver them from the bad influence of those false ideas which they formed concerning the nature of his kingdom. On all occasions previously to this, the disciples had shown too much attachment to worldly honors and dignities: if this ambition had not been removed, the consequences of it would have been dreadful in the establishment of the religion of Christ; as after his death, it would have divided and infallibly dispersed them. It was necessary therefore to restrain this dangerous passion, and to confirm by a remarkable example what he had so often told them, - that true greatness consisted in the depth of humility, and that those who were the willing servants of all should be the highest in the account of God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, &c.--This verse is very sublime, and as a preface to what follows, were we not familiar with it, would fill us with inexpressible surprise. An unclouded perception of His relation to the Father, the commission He held from Him, and His approaching return to Him, possessed His soul.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Jesus knowing that the Father,.... These words express the sense Christ had of his own greatness and dignity as Mediator: had given all things into his hands; all the persons of the elect, all blessings both of grace and glory for them, and power and authority over all other persons and things, to make them subservient to his purposes: and that he was come from God; had his mission and commission, as man, from God; did not come of himself, but he sent him: and went to God; or was going to him in a very little time, to sit at his right hand, to have a name above every name, and to have angels, authorities, and powers subject to him; which, as it shows his high esteem with his Father, and his exalted character as Mediator, so it greatly illustrates his wonderful humility, that in the view, and under a sense and consideration of all this, he should condescend to wash the feet of his disciples; of which an account is given in the following verses.