John 13

1It was just before the Passover festival. Jesus knew that his hour had come, the hour for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had loved his own who were in the world, and he loved them to the end. 2Supper was under way, and the devil had already put the thought of betraying Jesus into the heart of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands. He knew too that he had come out from God and was on his way back to God. 4He got up from the meal, put aside his outer garments, took a towel and tied it around his waist. 5Next he poured water into the basin and began washing the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had tied around himself. 6He came to Simon Peter. Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered him, “You do not know yet what I am doing, but after this you will come to know it.” 8Peter said to him, “You are never going to wash my feet, not ever!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you can have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Then, Lord, not just my feet! My hands and my head as well!” 10Jesus said to him, “Anyone who has bathed needs nothing more than to wash the feet, and is clean all over. And you are clean, yet not all of you.” 11For he knew who was going to betray him; this is the reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12When Jesus had washed their feet, he put his outer clothes back on and took his place at the table. Then he spoke to them again: “Do you understand what I have done for you? 13You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that is what I am. 14So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, then you too have a duty to wash each other’s feet. 15What I gave you was an example, so that you also would do as I have done for you. 16Truly, truly, I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and one who is sent is not greater than the one who sent him. 17Now you know these things; you are blessed if you act on them. 18I am not speaking of all of you. I know the ones I chose. But it is happening so that the Scripture may be fulfilled: ‘The one who eats my bread has raised his heel against me.’ 19From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am. 20Truly, truly, I tell you, anyone who welcomes someone I send welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”

21After saying this, Jesus was troubled in spirit, and he solemnly declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” 22The disciples looked at one another, puzzled, unable to tell which of them he meant. 23One of his disciples, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining close beside him. 24So Simon Peter signaled to him to find out who it could be that he meant. 25Leaning back against Jesus’s chest as he lay, the disciple asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26Jesus answered, “I will dip this piece of bread and give it to someone; he is the one.” So he dipped the bread and gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. 27Once Judas had received the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “Do quickly what you are doing.” 28But none of those at the table understood what he meant by saying this to him. 29Since Judas kept the money box, some thought Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival,” or that he was to give something to the poor. 30So once he had taken the piece of bread, Judas went straight out. And it was night.

31When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “The Son of Man has now been glorified, and in him God has been glorified. 32If God has been glorified in him, God will glorify him in himself as well, and he will do it without delay. 33Little children, I am with you for only a short time more. You will search for me, and what I said to the Jews I now say to you as well: ‘You cannot come where I am going.’ 34I am giving you a new commandment: love one another. In the same way that I have loved you, you too must love one another. 35If you have love for one another, everyone will know by this that you are my disciples.”

36Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “You cannot follow me now to the place where I am going, but later you will follow.” 37Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you right now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I tell you, no rooster will crow before you have denied me three times.”