Notes on John 13

The setting is before an ordinary meal – it is not the Passover supper as in the other gospels.

Time for Judas

At first reading (unusually for John it appears to be a straight forward narrative.

Maybe it was like a church family meal pre-Passover.

Placing the foot washing at this place the story at the end of the meal indicates the foot washing is symbolic and not just Jesus doing the servant’s job.

Symbolic for Jesus to do this?

Jesus takes on the garb of a slave.

In John’s version they are already at the table so this is not normal.

Jesus got up from meal to wash the feet!

Different translations v1

v2 in the middle of one narrative.

Washing feet is love in action.

v13 key to understanding

Judas was loved despite what he was going to do.

It appears that Jesus washes Judas’s feet.

No one knows what Judas is going to do.

Why does Peter not stop Judas.

Reaction of disbelief because they knew Judas.

We read the story with hindsight – very different to those who were there.

vv 10 – 11 “Not all of you are clean”

v 18

They would not understand “betrayed”

psalm 41

We assume Jesus loved Judas – did he? refer to Psalm 41.

Jesus shows his perfect love through feet washing.

We all bring our own ideas and theology to the reading.

If John uses Psalm 41 he uses his knowledge of Jesus - different to us.

v. 17 Judas was not chosen?

Predestination? John’s inference?

John also tells us Judas is a thief in the washing the feet story..

v. 34 does this apply to those who are there?

Different interpretations.

v 16

Does Judas represent all who do not do Jesus’ work.

We are judged by what we do “good” - not by “what we don’t do” - bad.

Was Peter any better than Judas?

A warning that we are no better.

There is no such thing as a small sin. Humility needed.

Go beyond what is expected.

Dipping bread is a sign of special friendship – deepest dimension of betrayal.

vv 26 – 27 Holy Communion is a renewal of God’s covenant with us - his personal love.

Washing feet is the main thrust of the passage.

It is a simple passage. The inclusion of Judas blurs blurs the simple obvious message.

Judas is fulfilling scripture. Jesus gave him permission for what he is going to do.

v. 30 Night

No mention of meal after this.

Not appropriate time to wash feet nearly at the end of the meal.

v.6 in sense of “have you gone mad?”

Purpose of the story is not about the meal.

v 26 Direct connection to communion

Whole passage about masters and servants and service.

Judas was serving God.

What he does will glorify God v 31

Does vv 34 – 35 apply to loving Judas.

John represent Judas’ action as inevitable

OR is Jesus asking the rest to pull together?

Tom Wright says John is writing for the persecuted church – maybe lots of betrayal.

v 20 Does this refer to Judas?

Revelation of God and nature of Jesus.

Two different readings of vv 18 – 20.

See the nature of God in washing of feet.

Two way expression of God. Jesus draws attention to God not himself.

Up to us to be the same.

Preaching – it’s the message that is important not the person.

Links of sending.