Joh 13:4-17 | Family | STEP | His garments ; his mantle or outer garment.

John 13:4-17

His garments; his mantle or outer garment. Knowest not now; but thou shalt know; the meaning or object of what he did. If I wash thee not; though the primary object of this washing, as explained by the Saviour himself, was to set his disciples an example of humility and love, he here uses it as a symbol of the spiritual cleansing which they must receive from him. Unless men are purified from the love and practice of sin by the Spirit of Christ, they have no interest in his salvation. Not my feet only; if this washing be necessary to my having a part with thee, let it extend to my whole person. He that is washed; that is, bathed, as the original implies, which here uses a different word from the preceding. The bathing represents "the washing of regeneration," which the apostles, with one exception, have already received.

Save to wash his feet; which have been soiled in passing from the bath to his own home. This beautifully sets forth the daily cleansing which even regenerated men need from the defilement of daily life.

Clean, but not all; washed in the bath or regeneration, with one exception. Know ye; do you understand the meaning? An example; of humility, condescension, and love. To inculcate the importance of these was his object in doing what was usually done by a servant. These things; the truths which he had been teaching them. In imitating the example of Christ, especially his humility, condescension, and kindness--in believing his declarations, trusting in his merits, and obeying his commands, men may be supremely and eternally blessed.