- Home
- Bible
- John
- Chapter 13
- Verse 13
John 13:8
Verse
Context
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me - Thou canst not be my disciple unless I wash thee. It is certain Christ did not mean to exclude him from the apostolic office, if he should persist, through the deepest reverence for his Master, to refuse to let him wash his feet: this act of his was emblematical of something spiritual; of something that concerned the salvation of Peter; and without which washing he could neither be an apostle or be finally saved; therefore our Lord said, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. There is a mystical washing by the blood of Christ, Jo1 1:7; and by his Spirit, Co1 6:11; Tit 3:5, Tit 3:6. It was the common custom of our Lord to pass from sensible and temporal things to those which were spiritual and eternal; and to take occasion from every thing that presented itself, to instruct his disciples, and to raise their souls to God. If the discourse was of bread, water, leaven, father, mother, riches, etc., he immediately changed the literal sense, and under the figure of these things, spoke of matters altogether spiritual and Divine. I have met with many good persons who have attempted to imitate our blessed Lord in this, but I never knew one to succeed in it. The reason is, it requires not only very deep piety, but sound sense, together with an accurate knowledge of the nature and properties of the subjects which, in this way, the person wishes to illustrate; and very few can be found who have such deep, philosophical knowledge as such cases require. The large folio which a good-intentioned man printed on the metaphors is, alas! a standing proof how little mere piety can do in matters of this kind, where the sciences, and especially practical philosophy, are totally wanting. Jesus Christ was a consummate philosopher: every subject appears grand and noble in his hands. See an ample proof in the preceding chapter, Joh 12:24 (note).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash, &c.--more emphatically, "Never shalt Thou wash my feet": that is, "That is an incongruity to which I can never submit." How like the man! If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me--What Peter could not submit to was, that the Master should serve His servant. But the whole saving work of Christ was one continued series of such services, ending with and consummated by the most self-sacrificing and transcendent of all services: THE SON OF MAN CAME not to be ministered unto, but TO MINISTER, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE A RANSOM FOR MANY. (See on Mar 10:45). If Peter then could not submit to let his Master go down so low as to wash his feet, how should he suffer himself to be served by Him at all? This is couched under the one pregnant word "wash," which though applicable to the lower operation which Peter resisted, is the familiar scriptural symbol of that higher cleansing, which Peter little thought he was at the same time virtually putting from him. It is not humility to refuse what the Lord deigns to do for us, or to deny what He has done, but it is self-willed presumption--not rare, however, in those inner circles of lofty religious profession and traditional spirituality, which are found wherever Christian truth has enjoyed long and undisturbed possession. The truest humility is to receive reverentially, and thankfully to own, the gifts of grace.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Peter saith unto him, thou shall never wash my feet,.... Before he had behaved with modesty, but now with obstinacy and perverseness; and though these expressions might arise from great reverence to Christ, yet they were wrong and rashly spoken. Peter ought to have been satisfied with Christ's reply, and have submitted, since though he then did not know the reason of such surprising conduct, he should hereafter. In order therefore to bring him to a compliance, Jesus answered him, if I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me; he does not say, if I wash not thy feet, but thee, meaning not with water, but with his blood, and by his Spirit; for Christ uses the word wash here, not literally, but in a mystical and figurative sense, and takes an occasion, as he sometimes does, from things natural, to discourse of things spiritual: moreover, he does not say, thou hast no part "in" me, but thou hast no part "with" me, that is, no fellowship and communion with me; see Co2 6:14; and it is as if he should say, Peter, if I had not washed thee with the washing of regeneration by my Spirit, and if I should not shed my blood for thee, and wash thee in it from thy sins, sad would be thy case; thou couldest have no communion with me in this world, nor any part and portion with me in the heavenly inheritance hereafter. Hence it may be observed, that unless a man is washed by Christ, he can have no part with him in this, or the other world. God's elect have a part, an interest in Christ through eternal, electing, and covenant grace, and in consequence of this are washed by Christ both with his blood, and with the washing of regeneration: and this is done in order that they may have a part with Christ, spiritual fellowship with him now, and possess with him the undefiled inheritance, when time shall be no more.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:8 Based on the depth of his devotion to Jesus, it is understandable that Peter protested. But Jesus was not simply giving Peter a model of service; this was a symbolic pre-enactment of his greater act of sacrifice on the cross (13:7). Receiving Jesus’ spiritual cleansing is a condition for discipleship, so if Peter could not accept this act, he could not be Jesus’ disciple at all.
John 13:8
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
7Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8“Never shall You wash my feet!” Peter told Him. Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
From Simon to Peter #20 - a Major Lesson in Humility
By J. Glyn Owen2.4K47:30Simon to PeterZEC 13:1MAT 6:33JHN 13:1JHN 13:8ACT 22:16EPH 5:261JN 1:9In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the passage in John chapter 13 where Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. The preacher emphasizes the contrast between Jesus' attitude of humility and service and that of his disciples. The physical action of feet washing is seen as a symbol of the spiritual cleansing that Jesus offers to those who repent and turn away from sin. The preacher encourages the listeners to follow Jesus' example of humility and service in their own lives.
Easter Conference 1979-02
By Aldy Fam Fanous1.8K41:33EasterPSA 49:6JHN 10:27JHN 13:8In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of prayer and the filling of the Holy Spirit in the church. He uses the example of Elijah, who prayed and saw great miracles happen. The preacher also highlights the need for maintaining fellowship with God and avoiding sin, as it hinders the power of God in our lives. He then shares principles for discerning the will of God, emphasizing the importance of aligning our actions with God's word and seeking individual guidance through fellowship with Him.
Testimony in 1976 at Age 75
By Vance Havner1.7K57:17TestimonyPSA 23:1MAT 4:19MAT 6:25MAT 6:33MAT 9:37MAT 16:23MAT 17:4MAT 19:27MAT 26:33MAT 26:35MAT 28:19MRK 5:30JHN 13:8JHN 21:15JHN 21:17ACT 2:38ACT 3:61CO 1:272CO 12:91PE 5:2In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of grace and its various forms. He references Isaiah 40:31 and emphasizes the limitless love, grace, and power of God. The preacher also shares his personal experience of loneliness and tears, but testifies to the compensation he has received from God. He urges ministers and Christian workers to seek a new touch from God and to preach as if Jesus died yesterday and rose again today. The sermon concludes with the reminder that although many things in the world may change, the importance of salvation and the need for a strong faith remain constant.
How the Spirit Leads Us - Part 5
By Zac Poonen1.3K09:15LUK 11:9JHN 3:5JHN 13:8EPH 5:25This sermon emphasizes the importance of asking, seeking, and knocking for the Holy Spirit, highlighting the principle that God gives to those who ask. It delves into the value we place on receiving the Holy Spirit, drawing parallels to seeking material possessions versus seeking the Spirit. The sermon also explores the cleansing and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, using the analogy of being born of water and the Spirit, and the continual need for spiritual cleansing in our daily lives.
An Alarm to the Unconverted 3 of 5
By Joseph Alleine1.3K1:29:43Audio BooksJOL 3:16MAT 18:3MRK 16:16LUK 13:3JHN 3:19JHN 13:8ROM 8:13HEB 2:2HEB 10:28The sermon transcript emphasizes the importance of reading and understanding the word of God. It warns about the consequences of living in a state of sin and being unprepared for judgment. The speaker urges listeners to repent and turn to God, renouncing their idols and sinful practices. The sermon also highlights the power of the gospel to bring both salvation and condemnation, depending on one's response to it.
Capital City Church - Part 3
By David Ravenhill1.0K41:38Christian LifeMAT 5:16JHN 13:8ACT 1:8ROM 13:13EPH 5:8JAS 1:22REV 22:11In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being aware of the time we are living in and being spiritually awake. He highlights the choice we have to either continue in sin or avail ourselves of the grace and power of Jesus Christ to transform our lives. The speaker also discusses the need to dress up spiritually, to be prepared and ready for the coming of the bridegroom. He uses the example of Peter falling asleep when he should have been praying, and how this led to Peter denying Jesus. The overall message is to be conscious of the time, clean up our lives, and be spiritually awake and prepared for the return of Christ.
Washed
By Dai Patterson90900:00GraceTransformationISA 57:15MAT 11:28JHN 13:8ACT 5:32ROM 12:11CO 6:92CO 5:17GAL 2:20EPH 2:8TIT 3:5Dai Patterson emphasizes the transformative power of God's grace in the sermon 'Washed', using Gideon's story to illustrate how true desperation for God leads to genuine offerings and the necessity of being washed, sanctified, and justified through Christ. He highlights that our sacrifices must be laid on the right foundation, which is Christ, and that the Holy Spirit works through grace to cleanse and renew us. Patterson urges the congregation to recognize their need for a deep, personal washing and to understand that true revival comes from humility and brokenness before God.
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.
Reminiscing
By Vance Havner58057:26TestimonyPSA 31:15MAT 17:4MAT 26:33MRK 5:30LUK 24:30JHN 5:39JHN 13:8ACT 3:6In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of self-assertiveness and the need to pay attention to one's reading. However, the main focus of the sermon is on the message of God's revelation, resurrection, and repentance. The preacher highlights that the world is in trouble because it does not know God and refuses to receive His message. The cornerstone of the gospel is the resurrection, which is often a stumbling block for the world. The sermon concludes by mentioning a study on life after death and the need for grace in our lives.
Jesus Washes His Disciples Feet
By William MacDonald0ServiceHumilityMAT 20:28LUK 6:38JHN 13:8ROM 12:102CO 9:7GAL 6:2EPH 4:32PHP 4:17JAS 4:61PE 5:5William MacDonald explores the profound lesson of humility and service in the act of Jesus washing His disciples' feet, particularly focusing on Peter's initial refusal. Peter's reaction stems from a mix of unworthiness and pride, reflecting a common struggle where individuals resist accepting grace and help from others. MacDonald emphasizes that many Christians, while eager to give, often struggle to receive, missing out on the blessings of mutual support and community. He illustrates this with examples from Paul and Bishop Westcott, highlighting the importance of allowing others to serve us as a form of grace. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a balance between giving and receiving in our relationships with God and each other.
Thoughts for the Quiet Hour - June 8
By D.L. Moody0GraceHumilityJHN 13:8EPH 3:19PHP 2:3JAS 4:6D.L. Moody emphasizes the importance of humility in receiving God's blessings, illustrating that true humility recognizes our need for grace and seeks to be filled with God's fullness. He contrasts genuine humility with the false humility that hinders us from accepting God's gifts, urging believers to embrace the grace offered by God to eliminate pride and self. The message encourages a heart posture that is open to God's transformative work in our lives.
Loving Others to Restoration
By David Wilkerson0Unity in ChristServiceJHN 13:4JHN 13:8JHN 13:12GAL 5:13EPH 5:21David Wilkerson emphasizes the profound lessons from Jesus washing the disciples' feet, illustrating the call to serve one another in love and the importance of submission within the body of Christ. He highlights that true service goes beyond mere obedience; it is about embodying humility and mercy, as demonstrated by Jesus. The act of foot washing symbolizes the restoration of fellowship and the removal of transgressions, encouraging believers to extend unconditional love and support to one another. Wilkerson challenges Christians to understand the deeper meaning of service and unity, urging them to take up the towel in their relationships.
The Great Separation
By M.L. Dye0MAT 7:21MAT 12:36MAT 13:41MAT 25:21MAT 25:32JHN 5:28JHN 13:8JHN 17:16M.L. Dye preaches about Jesus' teachings on the great separation that will occur when all nations are gathered before Him, emphasizing the destiny of the righteous and the wicked. Jesus reiterated the reality of this separation multiple times, highlighting the importance of repentance and faith in Him for salvation. He stressed that genuine repentance is essential for true faith, and that without it, one cannot have a part with Him. Jesus' emphasis on repentance was evident throughout His ministry, culminating in His final instructions to His disciples before His crucifixion.
The Law of Renunciation
By T. Austin-Sparks0GEN 22:18JHN 13:82CO 5:9PHP 2:5PHP 3:8HEB 11:24T. Austin-Sparks preaches on the importance of renunciation and selflessness in following the example of Christ, who humbly emptied Himself and became obedient unto death for the glory of God and the redemption of mankind. The sermon emphasizes the need for believers to renounce self-interest, ambition, and possessions in order to be vessels for God's work and blessings. Through the law of renunciation, illustrated by the lives of Christ, Paul, and Moses, believers are called to let go of personal desires and ambitions, allowing God to work through them for His glory and the benefit of others.
The Kingdom of Satan and Its Overthrow
By T. Austin-Sparks0GEN 3:1PRO 16:5ISA 14:12EZK 28:11MAT 28:18JHN 13:8EPH 1:19HEB 4:121PE 1:4T. Austin-Sparks delves into the profound truth of all authority being given to Jesus in heaven and on earth, as highlighted in Matthew 28:18-19. He expands on Ephesians 1:19-23, revealing the extensive scope of Christ's authority over all realms and His headship over the Church. Sparks challenges believers to align with God's supreme objective of forming a Church that reflects the fullness of Christ, emphasizing the need for personal spiritual transformation and discipline to manifest Christ's sovereignty in the spiritual realm. He explores the origin and nature of sin, emphasizing the essentiality of the Cross in dealing with self-interest, rebellion, and perversity, which are the stronghold of Satan's kingdom within individuals.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me - Thou canst not be my disciple unless I wash thee. It is certain Christ did not mean to exclude him from the apostolic office, if he should persist, through the deepest reverence for his Master, to refuse to let him wash his feet: this act of his was emblematical of something spiritual; of something that concerned the salvation of Peter; and without which washing he could neither be an apostle or be finally saved; therefore our Lord said, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. There is a mystical washing by the blood of Christ, Jo1 1:7; and by his Spirit, Co1 6:11; Tit 3:5, Tit 3:6. It was the common custom of our Lord to pass from sensible and temporal things to those which were spiritual and eternal; and to take occasion from every thing that presented itself, to instruct his disciples, and to raise their souls to God. If the discourse was of bread, water, leaven, father, mother, riches, etc., he immediately changed the literal sense, and under the figure of these things, spoke of matters altogether spiritual and Divine. I have met with many good persons who have attempted to imitate our blessed Lord in this, but I never knew one to succeed in it. The reason is, it requires not only very deep piety, but sound sense, together with an accurate knowledge of the nature and properties of the subjects which, in this way, the person wishes to illustrate; and very few can be found who have such deep, philosophical knowledge as such cases require. The large folio which a good-intentioned man printed on the metaphors is, alas! a standing proof how little mere piety can do in matters of this kind, where the sciences, and especially practical philosophy, are totally wanting. Jesus Christ was a consummate philosopher: every subject appears grand and noble in his hands. See an ample proof in the preceding chapter, Joh 12:24 (note).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash, &c.--more emphatically, "Never shalt Thou wash my feet": that is, "That is an incongruity to which I can never submit." How like the man! If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me--What Peter could not submit to was, that the Master should serve His servant. But the whole saving work of Christ was one continued series of such services, ending with and consummated by the most self-sacrificing and transcendent of all services: THE SON OF MAN CAME not to be ministered unto, but TO MINISTER, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE A RANSOM FOR MANY. (See on Mar 10:45). If Peter then could not submit to let his Master go down so low as to wash his feet, how should he suffer himself to be served by Him at all? This is couched under the one pregnant word "wash," which though applicable to the lower operation which Peter resisted, is the familiar scriptural symbol of that higher cleansing, which Peter little thought he was at the same time virtually putting from him. It is not humility to refuse what the Lord deigns to do for us, or to deny what He has done, but it is self-willed presumption--not rare, however, in those inner circles of lofty religious profession and traditional spirituality, which are found wherever Christian truth has enjoyed long and undisturbed possession. The truest humility is to receive reverentially, and thankfully to own, the gifts of grace.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Peter saith unto him, thou shall never wash my feet,.... Before he had behaved with modesty, but now with obstinacy and perverseness; and though these expressions might arise from great reverence to Christ, yet they were wrong and rashly spoken. Peter ought to have been satisfied with Christ's reply, and have submitted, since though he then did not know the reason of such surprising conduct, he should hereafter. In order therefore to bring him to a compliance, Jesus answered him, if I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me; he does not say, if I wash not thy feet, but thee, meaning not with water, but with his blood, and by his Spirit; for Christ uses the word wash here, not literally, but in a mystical and figurative sense, and takes an occasion, as he sometimes does, from things natural, to discourse of things spiritual: moreover, he does not say, thou hast no part "in" me, but thou hast no part "with" me, that is, no fellowship and communion with me; see Co2 6:14; and it is as if he should say, Peter, if I had not washed thee with the washing of regeneration by my Spirit, and if I should not shed my blood for thee, and wash thee in it from thy sins, sad would be thy case; thou couldest have no communion with me in this world, nor any part and portion with me in the heavenly inheritance hereafter. Hence it may be observed, that unless a man is washed by Christ, he can have no part with him in this, or the other world. God's elect have a part, an interest in Christ through eternal, electing, and covenant grace, and in consequence of this are washed by Christ both with his blood, and with the washing of regeneration: and this is done in order that they may have a part with Christ, spiritual fellowship with him now, and possess with him the undefiled inheritance, when time shall be no more.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:8 Based on the depth of his devotion to Jesus, it is understandable that Peter protested. But Jesus was not simply giving Peter a model of service; this was a symbolic pre-enactment of his greater act of sacrifice on the cross (13:7). Receiving Jesus’ spiritual cleansing is a condition for discipleship, so if Peter could not accept this act, he could not be Jesus’ disciple at all.