John, 13
Christ washes his disciples' feet. The treason of Judas. The new commandment of love.
[1] Before the festival day of the pasch 1, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out of this world to the Father: having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end. •
Before the festival day of the pasch: This was the fourth and last pasch of the ministry of Christ, and according to the common computation, was in the thirty-third year of our Lord: and in the year of the world 4036. Some chronologers are of opinion that our Saviour suffered in the thirty-seventh year of his age: but these different opinions on this subject are of no consequence.
[2] And when supper was done (the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him), •
[3] Knowing that the Father had given him all things into his hands and that he came from God and goeth to God, •
[4] He riseth from supper and layeth aside his garments and, having taken a towel, girded himself. •
[5] After that, he putteth water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. •
[6] He cometh therefore to Simon Peter. And Peter saith to him: Lord, dost thou wash my feet? •
[7] Jesus answered and said to him: What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
[8] Peter saith to him: Thou shalt never wash my feet, Jesus answered him: If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with me. •
[9] Simon Peter saith to him: Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.
[10] Jesus saith to him: He that is washed needeth not but to wash his feet, but is clean wholly. And you are clean, but not all. •
[11] For he knew who he was that would betray him; therefore he said: You are not all clean.
[12] Then after he had washed their feet and taken his garments, being set down again, he said to them: Know you what I have done to you?
[13] You call me Master and Lord. And you say well: for so I am.
[14] If then I being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet. •
[15] For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.
[16] Amen, amen, I say to you: The servant is not greater than his lord: neither is the apostle greater than he that sent him. •
[17] If you know these things, you shall be blessed if you do them.
[18] I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen. But that the scripture may be fulfilled: He that eateth bread with me shall lift up his heel against me, •
[19] At present I tell you, before it come to pass: that when it shall come to pass, you may believe that I am he.
[20] Amen, amen, I say to you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me: and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. •
[21] When Jesus had said these things, he was troubled in spirit; and he testified, and said: Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you shall betray me. •
[22] The disciples therefore looked one upon another, doubting of whom he spoke.
[23] Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. •
[24] Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him and said to him: Who is it of whom he speaketh?
[25] He therefore, leaning on the breast of Jesus, saith to him: Lord, who is it? •
[26] Jesus answered: He it is to whom I shall reach bread dipped. And when he had dipped the bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. •
[27] And after the morsel, Satan entered into him. And Jesus said to him: That which thou dost, do quickly 1. •
That which thou dost, do quickly: It is not a license, much less a command, to go about his treason: but a signification to him that Christ would not hinder or resist what he was about, do it as soon as he pleased: but was both ready and desirous to suffer for our redemption.
[28] Now no man at the table knew to what purpose he said this unto him.
[29] For some thought, because Judas had the purse, that Jesus had said to him: Buy those things which we have need of for the festival day: or that he should give something to the poor.
[30] He therefore, having received the morsel, went out immediately. And it was night.
[31] When he therefore was gone out, Jesus said: Now is the Son of man glorified; and God is glorified in him. •
[32] If God be glorified in him, God also will glorify him in himself: and immediately will he glorify him.
[33] Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek me. And as I said to the Jews: Whither I go you cannot come; so I say to you now. •
[34] A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. •
[35] By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.
[36] Simon Peter saith to him: Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered: Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now: but thou shalt follow hereafter. •
[37] Peter saith to him: Why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thee. •
[38] Jesus answered him: Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Amen, amen, I say to thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou deny me thrice. •