Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 13:4
He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
4. He riseth from supper, &c.] Or, from the supper: the article perhaps marks the supper as no ordinary one. “This is the realism of history indeed. The carefulness with which here, as in the account of the cleansing of the temple, the successive stages in the action are described, proclaim the eye-witness.” S. p. 216. One is unwilling to surrender the view that this symbolical act was intended among other purposes to be a tacit rebuke to the disciples for the ‘strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest’ (Luk 22:24); and certainly ‘I am among you as he that serveth’ ( Joh 13:27) seems to point directly to this act. This view seems all the more probable when we remember that a similar dispute was rebuked in a similar way, viz. by symbolical action (Luk 9:46-48). The dispute may have arisen about their places at the table. That S. Luke places the strife after the supper is not fatal to this view; he gives no note of time, and the strife is singularly out of place there, immediately after their Master’s self-humiliation and in the midst of the last farewells. We may therefore believe, in spite of S. Luke’s arrangement, that the strife preceded the supper. “One thing is clear, that S. John, if he had read S. Luke’s Gospel at this point, has not copied or followed it. He proceeds with the same peculiar independence which we have noticed in him all through.” S. p. 215.
his garments ] Or, His upper garments, which would impede His movements.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
He riseth from supper – Evidently while they were eating. See Joh 13:2.
Laid aside his garments – His outer garment. See the notes at Mat 5:40. This was his mantle or robe, which is said to have been without seam. It was customary to lay this aside when they worked or ran, or in the heat of summer.
Took a towel and girded himself – This was the manner of a servant or slave. See the notes at Luk 17:8.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 4. He riseth from supper] Not from eating, as Bishop Pearce has well observed, but from his place at table; probably the dishes were not as yet laid down, though the guests were seated. According to the custom of the Jews and other Asiatics, this washing must have taken place before the supper. See Clarke on Joh 13:2.
Laid aside his garments] That is, his gown or upper coat, with the girdle wherewith it was girded close to his tunic or under coat; and, instead of this girdle, he tied a towel about him:
1. that he might appear in the character of a servant; and
2. that he might have it in readiness to dry their feet after he had washed them.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He riseth from supper. What supper? Is the question. We are told, that the Jews had two suppers upon the paschal night, which was the 14th day of the month Nisan. The first was the passover supper, which was a religious rite in obedience to the law. The second, a common supper (as on other nights); to which our Saviour added a third, which was the Lords supper. To me it seemeth rather that their common supper was first, then the passover supper; and that Christ arose from this common supper to do this act. Augustine understood it of the common supper; so doth Beza, Heinsius, Tarnovius, and others; which seemeth to me most probable, though others understand it of the passover supper. Whatever supper the evangelist meaneth, Christ rose up from it before it was done. Calvin, Pareus, Beza, Petargus, Tossanus, and divers others amongst the protestant interpreters; Tolet, Maldonate, and Jansenius, amongst the papists; do agree a common supper this night, besides the paschal supper, and the Lords supper: from which it is most probable that Christ, as is here said, rose up, and laid aside his garment; that is, his outward loose garment, (for such they used), which servants were wont to gird up when they waited at table, Luk 17:8; Christ laid one aside, and girdling up the other, takes a towel.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4, 5. He riseth from supper, andlaid aside his garmentsouter garments which would have impededthe operation of washing.
and took a towel and girdedhimselfassuming a servant’s dress.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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”, , the same with
in the Jerusalem Talmud r:
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 s; and shows, that the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.
r Sabbat, fol. 3. 1. & 12. 1. s Suetonius in Caligula, c. 26.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Riseth from supper ( ). Vivid dramatic present middle indicative of . From the couch on which he was reclining.
Layeth aside (). Same dramatic present active of .
His garments ( ). The outer robe () and with only the tunic () on “as one that serveth” (Lu 22:27). Jesus had already rebuked the apostles for their strife for precedence at the beginning of the meal (Lu 22:24-30).
A towel (). Latin word linteum, linen cloth, only in this passage in the N.T.
Girded himself ( ). First aorist active indicative of (–), old and rare compound (in Plutarch, LXX, inscriptions, and papyri), to gird all around. In N.T. only in John (John 13:4; John 13:5; John 21:7). Did Peter not recall this incident when in 1Pe 5:5 he exhorts all to “gird yourselves with humility” ( )?
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
From the supper [ ] . Out of the group gathered at the table.
Laid aside [] . Present tense : layeth aside.
Garments [] . See on Mt 5:40. Upper garments.
Towel [] . A Latin word, linteum. A linen cloth. Only here and ver. 5.
Girded (die zwsen). Only in this chapter and Joh 21:7. The compound verb means to bind or gird all round.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “He riseth from supper,” (egeretai ek tou deipnou) “He rises or arose out of and away from supper,” where He had reclined, at the meal of tribute to Him, there in the home of Simon the leper in Bethany, Joh 12:2; Mat 26:2-6; Mar 14:2-6.
2) “And laid aside his garments,” (kai tithesin ta himatia) “And put aside his garments,” Mat 26:65, His loose outer garments, to stoop to the deed of humiliation that He was about to render to every apostle present, including the treacherous and traitorous Judas Iscariot, Joh 13:2; Luk 22:27; It was an act of a servant, an humble servant, Php_2:7-8.
3) “And took a towel, and girded himself.” (kai labon lention diezosen heauton) “And taking a towel he girded himself,” or using a long linen cloth, He tied it around Himself, as a servant or humble slave of the day prepared for a menial task, to hold His under garment tight about Him, and to use part of the long portion of the towel hanging in front to wipe the feet of those He was about to wash, Joh 21:7; 1Pe 5:5.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
4. And layeth aside his garments. The meaning is, that he laid aside his upper garment, not his coat; for we know that the inhabitants of Eastern countries wore long garments
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(4) He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments.Comp. Notes on Luke 22 et seq. We there read of a strife among them which of them should be accounted the greatest. It is placed by St. Luke after the Supper; but our Lords words, I am among you as he that serveth, point almost certainly to a connection with this parabolic act. There had been, we may well think, some self-assertion in acts or omissions, which He by His act rebukes. They may have claimed, each above his brother, the place of honour at the table, or it may be that no one had offered the customary refreshment of water for the feet, before sitting down to meat (Luk. 7:44). We cannot say what was the immediate cause which suggested His act, but if we attempt to realise the whole scene, we must believe that there was in the disciples themselves some such cause. The garment laid aside would be the outer garment, which would impede His action, leaving the tunic, which was the ordinary dress of a servant.
And took a towel, and girded himself.This was itself a mark of the servants position, and was meant to signify His assumption of the servants work. The successive minute details of this picture carry with them their own authenticity.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. Riseth from supper Interrupts the meal to interpose the lesson.
Laid aside his garments His outside raiment, in order to perform his task without impediment.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Joh 13:4. He riseth from supper, As it is here asserted that Christ rose from supper, we must allow that, in some sense, supper was begun. Probably, the antepast had been taken, which is mentioned by the Jews as preceding the paschal lamb. They tell us that it was then usual for the master of the family to wash his hands, and, if we are rightly informed, the Jews continue this custom still. By laying aside his garments, is meant his upper garments; which the Jewish priests used to pull off, when employed in bringing the victims, frankincense, and other things requisite for sacrifice.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
Ver. 4. He riseth from supper ] So the rite of the Paschal supper required; as Beza showeth in his annotations uponMat 26:20Mat 26:20 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
4. ] ., “eas, qu lotionem impedirent.” Bengel. He put Himself into the ordinary dress of a servant. Or, which is far more probable, on the deepest grounds, did He not humble Himself so far as literally to divest Himself, and gird Himself merely, as the basest of slaves?
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 13:4 . This person, and in this mood and in these circumstances, on the brink of His own passion, is free to attend to the wants of unworthy men, and . “He rises,” having reclined at the table in expectation that one or other of the disciples would do the feet-washing. , “and lays aside His garments,” i.e. , His Tallith, appearing in His , similar to our “in His shirt sleeves”. is similarly used in , Joh 10:11 , etc. [See also Kypke on Luk 19:21 .] , “and having taken a linteum ,” a towel or long linen cloth, “He girt Himself,” tying the towel round Him. Cf. , 1Pe 5:5 . The middle is used in Joh 21:7 ; the expression here more emphatically indicates that He was the sole Agent. The condescension is understood in the light of what Suetonius tells of Caligula (Cal. 26), that he was fond of making some of the senators wait at his table “succinctos linteo,” that is, in the guise of waiters.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
riseth. App-178. from. Greek. ek. App-104.
supper = supper table (as we should say), i.e., after they had taken their places.
garments, i.e. the outer garment. Greek. himation, translated “robe “in Joh 19:2, Joh 19:6. This was removed for working, and for sleeping was often used as a coverlet. When removed, leaving only the chiton or tunic, the man was said to be naked.
towel. Greek. lention, a linen cloth (Latin. linteum).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
4.] ., eas, qu lotionem impedirent. Bengel. He put Himself into the ordinary dress of a servant. Or, which is far more probable, on the deepest grounds, did He not humble Himself so far as literally to divest Himself, and gird Himself merely, as the basest of slaves?
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 13:4. , He riseth) Jesus always connected with the remembrance of His entering on His glory specimens of His humility.- , His garments) Those which would be an encumbrance to Him in the act of washing.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 13:4
Joh 13:4
riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments, and he took a towel, and girded himself.-While they were contending who should wash the feet of the others, Jesus laid aside his outside robe and girdle as a servant does and tied the towel around his waist.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
laid aside: That is, his gown, or upper coat, , with the girdle by which it was girdled close to his tunic, or inner coat; and instead of his girdle, he tied a towel about him, that he might have it in readiness to dry their feet,and that he might appear as a servant. Indeed the whole action was a servile one; and never performed by a superior to an inferior. Luk 12:37, Luk 17:7, Luk 22:27, 2Co 8:9, Phi 2:6-8
Reciprocal: Gen 24:32 – wash Gen 43:24 – General Jdg 19:21 – they washed 2Ki 3:11 – poured water Mat 20:28 – came Luk 7:38 – wash Joh 13:2 – supper
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4
The garments Jesus laid aside were the outer ones that were worn over the closer-fitting ones next to the body. They were discarded for the time in order to give more freedom for the manual performance he intended to do.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 13:4. He riseth from the supper, and layeth down his garments, and having taken a towel girded himself. How wonderful the act when compared with the circumstances (mentioned in the previous verse) by which it is introduced! In the fullest consciousness of the glory of that work of redeeming love which He had undertaken, He who was in the form of God assumed the form, and did the work, of a servant, a slave,nay, felt that to do this was glory. What He does, too, is rendered all the more striking by the fact that the remarkable scene described in Luk 22:24,the strife among the disciples which should be the greatest,may have just occurred. In contrast with that eager desire among His servants for superior station in the world, the Master riseth, layeth down His outer garments, and girdeth Himself, becomes as he that serveth (Luk 22:27).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Observe here, The admirable humility and great self-denial of our Lord and Master: he arises from supper, whilst his disciples sat still, and he that came in the form of a servant, performs all the offices of the meanest servant to his disciples; he lays aside his upper garments, he girds himself with a towel, pours water into a basin, and begins to wash and wipe their feet, which lay out behind them, as they leaned at the table, all which was a most servile employment.
Learn hence, That the wonderful humility of Jesus Christ inclined him to do he meanest office of service unto his people, even to become a servant to them in the day of his humiliation; and though now glorified in heaven, he retains the same compassionate heart towards them, as when here on earth; hereby instructing us, that it is our duty, in whatever station Providence shall place us in the world, to stoop to the lowest offices of love and service towards our fellow brethren.
Lord! thou hast left the most amzing instance of self-denial for our encouragement and example.
Question. But how far doth this example bind us?
Answer. It does not oblige to the individual act, but to follow the reason of the example; that is, after Christ’s example, we ought to be ready to perform the lowest and meanest offices of love and service to one another.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Vv. 4, 5. [Jesus] rises from the supper and lays aside his garments; and, taking a towel, he girds himself. 5. Then he pours water into the basin; and he began to wash the feet of his disciples and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
Joh 13:3 has initiated us in advance into the meaning of this act. If need were, this would suffice to explain the reason of it. So Ewald and Meyer do not seek to find any outward motive. Jesus, however, does not act, in general, by a mere impulse from within; He yields to a given occasion in which He discerns the signal from the Father. St. Luke relates to us, Luk 22:24-27, that there arose at the supper a dispute among the disciples on the question to whom the first place among them belonged. Whereupon Jesus said: The first among you must take the place of the last. Then, giving Himself as an example: Who is greater, he that sits at meat or he that serves? But I am among you as he that serves.
This answer of Jesus might be applied to His way of acting, in general, in the midst of His own; and it is thus, perhaps, that it was understood by Luke to whom this saying of the Lord had been handed down as separated from the story with which we are now occupied. But for ourselves, knowing the act which Jesus performed at this supper, it is impossible not to connect it with the saying and explain the latter by the former. The washing of the feet was undoubtedly occasioned by the dispute of which Luke speaks. Jesus wished to eradicate from the hearts of His disciples the last remnant of the old leaven of pride and Messianic ambition which still infected their faith and manifested itself in so offensive a manner in the discussion of which Luke has preserved the remembrance. But why give this form to the lesson which He desired to leave with His followers at this final meeting? Luke places the dispute at the very end of the supper, and, if necessary, it might be supposed that, being pained by the fact that no one of them at the beginning of the meal had offered to discharge this humble office, and that, in consequence, the washing of the feet had not taken place, Jesus had at first kept His feeling to Himself, but afterwards, an opportunity presenting itself, He expressed it precisely as He did in the case mentioned in Luk 7:44.
The washing thus was performed, as a mere example, at the end of the supper. The natural place, however, for such a ceremony is at the beginning of the meal, and it may be easily supposed that Luke placed as a supplementary detail in the account of the meal a fact which he knew belonged to it, but the exact moment of which he did not know. Indeed, he simply says: There was also a dispute. Jesus was already seated at table (Joh 13:4); the apostles took their places (Joh 13:6; Joh 13:12). It was perhaps on this occasion that the dispute broke out, each claiming to have the right to be seated next to the Saviour. At this moment Jesus rises and, by charging Himself with the humble office which each one of them should have spontaneously hastened to perform, He gives them to understand who is really the greatest in His kingdom. The matter in hand here is not indeed to give His disciples a lesson of kindness, of condescension, of mutual serviceableness. Comp. Joh 13:13-15, and especially Joh 13:10 which, from this point of view, is no longer intelligible. Jesus wishes to teach them that the condition for entering and advancing in a kingdom like His own, is the reverse of what takes place on earth, to know how to humble oneself, to efface oneself; and that, the more each one shall outstrip the other in this divine art, the more he will become like Him, at first in spirit, and then in glory.
Each feature of the following picture betrays the recollection of an eye- witness; John describes this scene as if beholding it at this very moment. Jesus assumes the garb of a slave. His garments: here, the upper garment. Jesus keeps only the tunic, the garment of the slave. He girds Himself with a towel, because He must carry the basin with both hands. , with the article: the basin, the one which was there for this purpose and which belonged to the furniture of the dining-hall. Nihil ministerii omittit, says Grotius.
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
Verse 4
His garments; his outer garments.–Girded himself; after the manner of a servant.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
13:4 He {c} riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
(c) In that he is said to rise, it argues that there was a space of time between the ceremony of the passover and this washing of feet, at which time it seems that the Lord’s supper was instituted.