John 13

Devotionals, Articles, and Bible Study Resources on John 13

1It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end.
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.
5After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that was around Him.
6He came to Simon Peter, who asked Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my 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.”
9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!”
10Jesus 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.”
11For He knew who would betray Him. That is why He said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His outer garments, He reclined with them again and asked, “Do you know what I have done for you?
13You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am.
14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
15I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.
16Truly, truly, I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
17If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
18I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’
19I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it comes to pass, you will believe that I am He.
20Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever receives the one I send receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives the One who sent Me.”
21After Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit and testified, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray Me.”
22The disciples looked at one another, perplexed as to which of them He meant.
23One of His disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at His side.
24So Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus which one He was talking about.
25Leaning back against Jesus, he asked, “Lord, who is it?”
26Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this morsel after I have dipped it.” Then He dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.
27And when Judas had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
28But no one at the table knew why Jesus had said this to him.
29Since Judas kept the money bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor.
30As soon as he had received the morsel, Judas went out into the night.
31When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.
32If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify the Son in Himself — and will glorify Him at once.
33Little children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’
34A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.
35By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
36“Lord, where are You going?” Simon Peter asked. Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.”
37“Lord,” said Peter, “why can’ t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”
38“Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.
— John 13

Related Resources from Heartlight

Love and Betrayal
Illustration of John 13:23-27 NLT

Illustration of John 13:23-27 NLT -- The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table. Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, "Who's he talking about?" So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus responded, "It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl." And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, "Hurry and do what you're going to do."

Night Descends
Illustration of John 13:27-30 NLT

Illustration of John 13:27-30 NLT -- When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, "Hurry and do what you're going to do." None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. So Judas left at once, going out into the night.

Words or Deeds?
Illustration of John 13:6-9 NLT

Illustration of John 13:6-9 NLT -- When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You don't understand now what I am doing, but someday you will." "No," Peter protested, "you will never ever wash my feet!" Jesus replied, "Unless I wash you, you won't belong to me." Simon Peter exclaimed, "Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!"

"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,'...
Illustration of John 13:13-15

Illustration of John 13:13-15 -- "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet." I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Service Is Rooted in Confidence
Illustration of John 13:3-5 NLT

Illustration of John 13:3-5 NLT -- Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

A new command I give you: Love one...
Illustration of John 13:34-35

Illustration of John 13:34-35 -- A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

How dirty were your feet?
Illustration of John 13:15-16

Inspirational illustration of John 13:15-16 -- You call me Teacher and Lord and rightly so for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.

Just Do It!®
Illustration of John 13:16-17 NLT

Illustration of John 13:16-17 NLT -- [Jesus said to the disciples,] "I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them."

A New Command
Illustration of John 13:34

Inspirational illustration of John 13:34 -- A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

A new command I give you: Love one...
Illustration of John 13:34

Illustration of John 13:34 -- A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

After he had said this, Jesus was...
Illustration of John 13:21

Illustration of John 13:21 -- After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."

Blessed by Doing!
Illustration of John 13:17

Inspirational illustration of John 13:17 -- Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

For how little have you given him up?
Illustration of John 13:21

Inspirational illustration of John 13:21 NIV -- After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified. "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."

Glory of God
Illustration of John 13:31

Inspirational illustration of John 13:31 -- When he [Judas] was gone, Jesus said, 'Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him.'

Jesus' Message in Washing Feet
Illustration of John 13:14

Inspirational illustration of John 13:14 -- Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.

Love one another!
Illustration of John 13:34

Inspirational illustration of John 13:34 niv -- A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

When he [Judas] was gone, Jesus said,...
Illustration of John 13:31

Illustration of John 13:31 -- When he [Judas] was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him."

Cross References for John 13

Cross References Provided by Open Bible

The Berean Standard Bible

The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) is a modern, clear, and faithful translation based on the best available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Ideal for reading, study, and sharing, it entered the public domain in 2023. For more information, visit berean.bible.