Bible Questions and Answers

John 13:6-8 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

Jesus was teaching the apostles a lesson in humility. Foot washing was the job of a servant. Peter’s response was born of pride, which was one of Peter’s failings. He thought he was better than the other apostles.

Matthew 26:33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

It was necessary for Peter to submit to Jesus’ action to teach him that to be a true disciple, he in turn must humble himself and serve others.

John 13:12-17 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Had Jesus not washed Peter’s feet, the lesson would have been lost on him. This doesn’t mean that we are to go about washing one another’s feet. The principle is that we must put the needs of others before our own.

Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

1 Corinthians 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

Peter learned the lesson:

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn