He riseth from supper,.... In the midst of the entertainment, and which no doubt was considerable, his mind being intent on something else; and it being his meat and drink to do his Father's will, he rises and leaves his disciples sitting to finish their meal; and whilst they were murmuring at the waste of the ointment poured on his head, and were filled with indignation at it, as they all of them were, see Mt 26:8; he rises up to wash their feet; amazing patience and humility!
And laid aside his garments; not all his garments, only his upper ones, that he might better dispatch the business he was going about; and which was an emblem of his laying aside, as it were for a while, his glory and dignity as the Son of God, and of his appearing in the form of a servant.
And took a towel; or "linen cloth", lention, the same withtyjnwl in the Jerusalem Talmud :and girded himself; with the towel, or linen cloth, which served both for a girdle, and after he had washed his disciples' feet, to wipe them with.
This was a servile habit; so servants used to stand at the feet of their masters, girt about with a linen cloth ; and shows, that the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. Sabbat, fol.
3. 1. & 12. 1. Suetonius in Caligula, c.