Washing of Feet.

(John 13:2-20).

There was a custom to have feet washed before supper, which was done by a servant. However this custom was not always carried out (Luke 7:44); evidently, this was not followed among Christ’s small group, because the Lord Himself intended to show His disciples an example of humility and selfless love. Saint Luke advises that during supper, an argument developed between the disciples as to who among them was the senior. Apparently to show the disciples humility and love, this argument became the basis of a demonstrative example in the washing of their feet. This washing of feet is narrated in quite some detail by Evangelist John alone — who usually expands on the narratives of the other Evangelists. “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,” — the meaning of these words is thus: God-Man was mandated by Father God to utilize all means that He may find useful in order to save Mankind — that’s the reason why He now performs such an unusual task, which is incomprehensible to the human mind. Amid general consternation of the disciples, the Lord stands up, removes His outer garment so as it won’t be in the way, leaving Him in His tunic. Then girding Himself with the towel like a servant, He fills a wash basin with water and commences to wash the feet of His disciples — then to dry them with the towel. This was a silent yet demonstrative covenant by the departing Teacher with His disciples — a covenant of humility and mutual ministry, without any pretences of superiority among them. What a powerful rejection of the false Roman-catholic teachings on the supremacy of Saint Apostle Peter above all the other Apostles, which underpins their false dogma of the Pope’s primacy in the Church.

“Then He came to Simon Peter…” it can be seen here that Simon was not the first one that He approached, and that evidently he wasn’t reclining near the Lord (comp. verse 24). Peter was astounded by the Lord’s actions and found them incompatible with His high standing, which is why for the second time in his life, he contradicted Christ (Mat 16:22): “You shall never wash my feet!” Because of this declaration, he heard a frightening threat — if he persisted in being disobedient and placing his mind in place of Christ’s, then he will have no “part” with Christ i.e. he will be excommunicated from Christ. Overtaken with fear from the threat and inflamed with love for his Divine Teacher, Peter offers to “wash not my feet only, but also my hands and my head,” i.e. as though expressing a readiness to obey His Lord more so than others, who only have their feet washed.

“How characteristic is this frequent feature in Simon Peter,” says Bishop Michael, “who decides to go to the Lord on the waves and then cries out — I’m going under, who strikes the servant of the high priests with his sword and then runs away, who penetrates into the courtyard where the Lord is being tried, there repudiates Him and leaves with bitter tears.” In His answer to Peter, the Lord points out the high purpose of His actions, and ostensibly at the same time, consoles him after he received the threat. “You are not all clean” — is a clear hint on Judas. Having finished washing their feet, the Lord explains the aim of His actions, instructing them that they too should serve one another with love, not regarding any effort as being demeaning and not to boast before one another.