John 13: Jesus Washes Feet

At the Last Supper, Jesus washes His disciples' feet and tells them to serve one another. He reveals that one of them will betray Him, and Judas goes out into the night. Jesus gives a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you. He tells Peter that Peter will deny Him three times.

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Read John 13

World English Bible · 38 verses

¹ Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ For he knew him who would betray him; therefore he said, “You are not all clean.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am he.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ chest.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ chest, asked him, “Lord, who is it?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ Now nobody at the table knew why he said this to him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ Therefore having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³³ Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come,’ so now I tell you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁶ Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁷ Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁸ Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

John 13 · Preschool

Jesus Serves His Friends

Name Date

Color the picture. Point to the bowl and the towel.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

John 13:17 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Help someone at home today, like Jesus!

Open Grade 4 on its own page

John 13 · Grade 4

The Servant King

Name Date

Read and Think

On the night before He died, Jesus showed His disciples the full extent of His love. Washing feet was a job for the lowest servant. No disciple offered to do it. Jesus knew the Father had given all things into His hands. Yet He rose from supper, tied on a towel, and knelt to wash their dusty feet. Peter protested, but Jesus said Peter needed to be washed to belong to Him. This pointed to the deeper cleansing Jesus would give through the cross.

Jesus asked if they understood. If their Lord and Teacher washed their feet, they should serve one another. A servant is not greater than his master.

Jesus was troubled in spirit, saying one of them would betray Him. He gave bread to Judas, who went out. John adds, It was night. Jesus then gave a new commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. By this love, everyone would know they were His disciples. Peter boldly promised to lay down his life for Jesus. Jesus gently told him that before the rooster crowed, he would deny Him three times.

Show What You Know

Why was it surprising that Jesus washed feet?
What deeper cleansing did the foot washing point to?
What does John note when Judas went out?
What would show everyone that the disciples belonged to Jesus?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

roosterlovewashfeetPeter

On the night before He died, Jesus showed His disciples the full extent of His .
Washing was a job for the lowest servant.
Yet He rose from supper, tied on a towel, and knelt to their dusty feet.
protested, but Jesus said Peter needed to be washed to belong to Him.
Jesus gently told him that before the crowed, he would deny Him three times.

Think About It

Who is someone you could serve this week in a humble way?
Jesus loves us as we are, even knowing our failures. How does that help you love others?

Memory Verse

“Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

John 13:5 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What lowly task could you do for someone?
How can you care for other Christians this week?
Jesus said you are blessed if you do these things. What is one way you can serve this week?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

John 13 · Grade 5

Love to the End

Name Date

Read and Think

John 13 begins the long Upper Room section, Jesus' final teaching before the cross. John writes, Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. Knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, Jesus did something shocking. He laid aside His garments, took a towel, and washed His disciples' feet. In that culture, this was a task for a servant. This act pictured what Jesus came to do: the Son of God humbled Himself to make sinners clean, as Philippians 2 describes.

Peter refused at first, then asked to be washed all over. Jesus explained that someone who has bathed only needs his feet washed. Those who belong to Him are cleansed, though they still need daily cleansing from sin. Then Jesus said, I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. True greatness in God's kingdom is humble service.

Jesus washed His friends' feet, knowing one would betray Him. Troubled in spirit, Jesus identified the betrayer by giving him a piece of bread. Judas left, and it was night, both outside and in his heart. Then Jesus spoke of His glory and gave a new commandment. Love one another; just like I have loved you, you also love one another. The newness is in the standard: as I have loved you. This love would mark His followers before the world. When Peter vowed loyalty, Jesus foretold his threefold denial. Even so, Jesus' love for Peter would not fail.

Show What You Know

What does Jesus' foot washing picture about His mission?
What did Jesus mean by saying one who has bathed needs only his feet washed?
What did Jesus do for His friends even though He knew one would betray Him?
What makes the commandment to love one another new?
What does It was night suggest about Judas?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

PeterLoveexamplefeetGod

This act pictured what Jesus came to do: the Son of humbled Himself to make sinners clean, as Philippians 2 describes.
refused at first, then asked to be washed all over.
Jesus explained that someone who has bathed only needs his washed.
Then Jesus said, I have given you an , that you should also do as I have done to you.
one another; just like I have loved you, you also love one another.

Think About It

Jesus served Judas, knowing what he would do. How can you show kindness to someone who has hurt you?
How would your family or church change if everyone loved as Jesus loves?

Memory Verse

“Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

John 13:5 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What humble job could you do this week?
Jesus said people will know we are His by our love. What would others notice about your love?
Peter did not know his own weakness. Why is it wise to lean on Jesus and not on your own promises?

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John 13: Jesus Washes Feet

Read John 13

Worksheets

Jesus Serves His Friends

Prayer

Take It Home

Love One Another

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

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A New Commandment

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Put the Story in Order

Prayer

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Jesus Washes Feet

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

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Love as I Have Loved You

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Put the Story in Order

Prayer

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The Servant King

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

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Prayer

Take It Home

Love to the End

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

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