After Jesus had finished washing his disciples’ feet, he resumed the posture he had before he performed the act. He once again put on his ceremonial clothes (outer garments in the text), and returned to recline at the head of the table. He then asked the whole group of disciples, “Do you know what I have done?” (John 13:12). Obviously, they had no idea beyond the physical act. Jesus said as much, when Peter object to the Lord’s activity (John 13:7). Therefore, Jesus replied to his own question (John 13:13-15). Keep in mind that, when Jesus originally rose from the table and removed his ceremonial garb, the disciples were in a heated discussion among themselves over who was the greatest. No doubt, accusations were made pertaining to how some of them had missed the mark, not quite attaining what was expected, but each one of them exalted his own position or service as that may have pertained to their common misunderstanding of the coming Kingdom of God.
Luke probably records what Jesus said to them, as he washed their feet (Luke 22:25-30). They had been exalting themselves and putting one another down in an effort to show which of them would be used by God to gain victory over the gentiles in the new exodus into the Kingdom. However, Jesus told them they were behaving exactly as the gentiles conducted themselves (Luke 22:25), so how were they, Jesus’ disciples, any different from those they were hoping to replace? Instead of the greatest among them being the most powerful with the most rights to an inheritance, let the one who would be great, become as the youngest in a family, who had no authority but that which was given him by his elder brother. Instead of vying for the greatest position, become as one who serves (Luke 22:26). After all, who is the greatest of all, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves (washes one’s feet)? Yet, Jesus reminded them, he was one who served both them and others! (Luke 22:27). Jesus told them[1] they had been with him from the beginning (throughout all his trials), and he appointed them a place in the Kingdom just as his Father had appointed him (Luke 22:28-29), and they would sit at his table (as they sat at this very time) and judge the nation of Israel (Luke 22:30), so they need to behave differently than do gentiles (cp. Luke 22:25).
As he took his place at the table once more, Jesus pointed out: “You call me Rabbi and Lord… and so I am!” (John 13:13). Actually, the article (the) is with ‘Rabbi’ and ‘Lord’ in the Greek, so the terms refer to a particular ‘Rabbi’ and ‘Lord’, namely **the** Prophet and **the** Messiah. Therefore, Jesus concludes his argument by saying: “If I am the Lord (Messiah) and the Rabbi (Prophet), and I have washed your feet, then it becomes the debt of the disciple to do likewise, because I have given you an example to follow” (John 13:14-15; paraphrased). Heretofore, you have sought to attain the greatest, most important, most powerful positions in the coming Kingdom, but **I** the Messiah and the Prophet am among you as one who serves! Will you follow **me** or not? Are you **my** disciples or not?
Therefore, Jesus’ disciples need to closely consider Jesus’ words that it is an indisputable fact, that the servant is unable to be greater than his lord, and the apostle is unable to be greater than he who sent him. If a servant is doing what his lord tells him to do, he is always serving or obeying the one greater than he. Similarly, an ambassador (viz. an apostle) is unable to be greater than the head of state he represents. If he serves his head of state well, he will always present him to the stranger or foreigner exactly as he knows his head of state to be. The apostle will repeat his words, saying what the head of state has always said and let his desires, hopes, and values known to those who don’t know him.
If one serves another or represents another, the servant or the representative cannot be greater than his lord or the one, whom he represents (John 13:16-17). This should be obvious. So, if one knows what is obviously true, the hope of blessing comes only to the one who does what is obviously true or performs how he is expected to perform. In other words, pay the debt you owe your lord or your head of state (John 13:14, 17). Merely, knowing the obvious isn’t enough.
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[1] That is, the Twelve, indicating whose feet he had washed, for the text alludes to other disciples seated at other tables.
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