John 13

²While they were eating supper, the devil put a wicked plan into Judas's heart. Judas was going to hand Jesus over to His enemies.

³Jesus knew who He was. The Father had put everything in His hands. He had come from God — and He was going back to God.

⁴Jesus got up from the meal. He took off His outer robe. He picked up a towel and wrapped it around Himself like a servant.

⁵Jesus poured water into a big bowl. Then He knelt down and began washing His disciples' feet. He dried them with the towel He wore.

⁶Jesus came to Simon Peter. Peter was shocked. He said: 'Lord — are You going to wash MY feet?'

⁷Jesus answered him: 'You do not understand what I am doing right now. But you will understand later.'

⁸Peter said: 'You will NEVER wash my feet!' Jesus answered: 'If I do not wash you, you cannot belong to Me.'

⁹Then Peter swung the other way. He said: 'Lord, then wash not just my feet — wash my hands and my head too!'

¹⁰Jesus said: 'If you have already bathed, you only need your feet washed. You are clean — not your whole body again. You disciples are clean.' But He added: 'Not all of you.'

¹¹Jesus already knew who would betray Him. That is why He said: 'Not all of you are clean.'

¹²When Jesus had finished washing all their feet, He put His robe back on and sat down again. He asked them: 'Do you understand what I have done for you?'

¹³Jesus said: 'You call Me Teacher and Lord — and you are right. That is who I am.'

¹⁴Jesus said: 'I am your Lord and Teacher — and I washed your feet. So you should wash each other's feet too.'

¹⁵Jesus said: 'I have shown you how to live. Do the same things I did.'

¹⁶Jesus said: 'A servant is not greater than his master. A messenger is not greater than the one who sent him.'

¹⁷Jesus said: 'You will be happy and blessed if you know these things AND do them.'

¹⁸Jesus said: 'I am not talking about all of you. I know the ones I chose. But the Scripture must come true: even someone who shared My food will turn against Me.'

¹⁹Jesus said: 'I am telling you what will happen before it happens. When it comes true, you will know that I am who I say I am.'

²⁰Jesus said: 'Whoever welcomes the one I send is welcoming Me. And whoever welcomes Me is welcoming God who sent Me.'

²¹After saying this, Jesus felt deeply troubled inside. Then He said these solemn words: 'I tell you the truth — one of you sitting here will betray Me.'

²²The disciples looked at each other, confused and worried. They had no idea who Jesus was talking about.

²³One of the disciples was sitting very close to Jesus, leaning right next to Him. This was the disciple Jesus especially loved.

²⁴Simon Peter caught the attention of the disciple close to Jesus. He motioned to him: 'Ask Jesus who it is He is talking about!'

²⁵The beloved disciple leaned even closer to Jesus and quietly asked: 'Lord, who is it?'

²⁶Jesus answered: 'The one I give this piece of bread to — that is the one.' Then He dipped a piece of bread and gave it to Judas Iscariot.

²⁷As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to Judas: 'Whatever you are going to do — do it quickly.'

²⁸None of the other disciples understood why Jesus had said that to Judas.

²⁹Some disciples thought Jesus had told Judas to go and buy things for the feast — because Judas looked after the group's money. Or maybe he was going to give to the poor.

³⁰As soon as Judas took the bread, he walked straight out the door. And it was night.

³¹Once Judas had gone, Jesus said: 'Now the Son of Man is glorified — and God is glorified in Him.'

³²Jesus said: 'If God is glorified in the Son, then God will also glorify the Son — and will do it very soon.'

³³Jesus said tenderly: 'My dear children, I am only with you a little while longer. You will look for Me — but where I am going, you cannot come yet.'

³⁴Jesus said: 'I give you a new command: love one another. Love each other the same way I have loved you.'

³⁵Jesus said: 'Everyone will know you are My disciples by one thing — if you love one another.'

³⁶Peter asked: 'Lord, where are You going?' Jesus answered: 'You cannot follow Me there now — but you will follow Me later.'

³⁷Peter said: 'Lord, why can't I follow You now? I will give my life for You!'

³⁸Jesus answered: 'Will you really give your life for Me? I tell you the truth — before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you don't know Me.'