John doesn’t mention anything about Jesus’ last meal with his disciples, except to record what immediately occurred afterward, while they were still in the upper room. The Synoptics don’t mention much else, except to document the passing of the bread and wine around the table, which was done at least twice, once before the meal began (Luke 22:14-20), and the second while the meal was in progress (Matthew 26:26-29). Moreover, the Synoptics record that Jesus announced he would be betrayed by one of the Twelve. He mentioned his betrayal, while they were eating, probably twice, but John’s Gospel records Jesus saying he’d be betrayed by one of them at least one time after the dinner was finished (John 12:18, 21). It is important, when studying what occurred in Jesus’ ministry to consider not only what one witness emphasizes in his own narrative, but what all four record. John is the only one of the four that documents Jesus’ long discussions with his disciples after the meal, and only here do we find Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.
What I find so interesting is this. The text says: when Jesus knew his hour had come, that is that he would be crucified, and he would be departing out of this world and to the Father (John 13:1), knowing also that the Father had given all things into his hand, that is, nothing happened that Jesus didn’t allow, and as he knew that he both came from God and went to God (John 13:3), in this context, vis-à-vis when Jesus knew all these things: he arose from the supper table, laid aside his ceremonial garments and, taking a towel, he girded himself, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and wipe them with the towel from around his waist (John 13:3-5). Can you imagine any world power doing such a thing, performing such a menial task?
Remember, during the meal Jesus had revealed that he would be betrayed by one of them, and immediately they began to ask him, one by one, “Is it I?” (Matthew 26:21-25). Jesus replied only to Judas, but the text elsewhere indicates no one else knew what he told him, but he did announce it would be one of the Twelve (Mark 14:20), which implies there were probably other tables there in the room seating other disciples of Jesus. Later, Jesus said again that he would be betrayed by one who reclined at his table, but at that time the disciples discussed among themselves, which one of them that might be (Luke 22:21-23). Apparently, this sparked competition among the group, as each one argued over which one of them or which group (Jesus divided the Twelve into three groups of four) was the greatest or would be more heroic in the new exodus into the Kingdom of God (Luke 22:24).
At this time Luke began to tell us what Jesus told his disciples (Luke 22:25-30), but notice particularly Jesus’ words at verse-27… “Who is greater, the one who is seated at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” This implies that Jesus no longer reclined at the table, but all the disciples were still seated. I believe Luke was alluding to the fact that Jesus arose from the table and began washing the disciples’ feet. Moreover, the text singles out Peter by saying only he objected, vis-à-vis he didn’t want Jesus washing his feet (John 13:6). He didn’t realize the spiritual significance of Jesus’ act. They had been debating physical things, political things, having to do with their hopes about the Kingdom of God, which none of them really understood at this point. So how could Peter, or any of them for that matter, understand what Jesus was doing (John 13:7)?
When Peter continued to object, Jesus told him, if he (Jesus) didn’t wash his feet, he (Peter) would have no part with him. Then Peter, still not getting it, asked to be bathed, but Jesus told him he was already bathed (in Christ – all Peter’s hopes were in Christ, meaning he was no longer in rebellion against God). Therefore, all that was needed for him to be clean was to have his feet washed, wash away the sins of his daily walk (John 13:8-9). From this time forward, if any of them were tempted to exalt himself over one of the others, this picture of Christ washing their feet would immediately thrust itself into their minds. Although the Apostles debated with one another over who was the greatest on other occasions in the past, this kind of thing never occurred again, not in Acts, nor is it ever alluded to in any of the epistles. Jesus washed this behavior away. Then, Jesus announced they were all clean, but not everyone, referring to Judas. His feet were washed, but he wasn’t bathed! (John 13:10-11).
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