Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 13:15
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
15. as I have done to you ] Not, ‘ what I have done to you,’ but ‘ even as I have done:’ this is the spirit in which to act self-sacrificing humility whether or no it be exhibited precisely in this way. Mutual service, and especially mutual cleansing, is the obligation of Christ’s disciples. Comp. Jas 5:16.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The apostles were to take up a very high station in the gospel church, and our hearts are very prone to swell in a high opinion of ourselves, for which the nature of man taketh advantage from every thing in which we either really do excel, or can conceit that we do excel, our neighbours. Our Lord therefore, though speaking to the apostles, (some of the best of men), yet knowing they were (like Elijah) men subject to like passions with other men, addeth this to arm them against, any temptation to pride: they owned themselves as servants to Christ who was their great Lord; they had seen what he had done; he therefore applies a proverbial expression to them, which he also made use of in other cases, as Mat 10:24; Joh 15:20; in both which places he maketh use of it to arm them against persecutions; here, to persuade them to humility, condescension, and brotherly love.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12-15. Know ye what I havedone?that is, its intent. The question, however, was putmerely to summon their attention to His own answer.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For I have given you an example,…. Christ is an example to his people, in many things; not in his miraculous performances and mediatorial work, but in the exercise of grace, of meekness, humility, love, patience, and the like; and in the discharge of duty, in submission to ordinances, and in attending on them; and in the several duties, both to them that are without, and to them that are within; and also in his sufferings and death; not that he died merely as an example, but likewise in the room and stead of his people; but here he is spoken of, as an example, in a particular instance:
that ye should do as I have done to you; wash one another’s feet, as he had washed theirs; which is not to be understood literally and singly of this action, as though this was an ordinance binding upon all persons, in all places, and to be attended to at certain stated times, as has been the practice of some: it was so understood by the church at Milain, and there practised; and this custom was continued and defended by St. Ambrose, even though not received by the church of Rome; in some places the bishop used to wash the feet of those that were baptized, which in process of time being thought sufficient, instead of baptism, was forbidden by the council at Eliberis. In imitation of this, the pope every year, on Thursday in the passion week, washes the feet of twelve men; and it is an anniversary ceremony performed by the kings of England and France, to wash the feet of twelve poor people, in commemoration of this action of Christ’s: but our Lord is not to be understood literally, nor of anything that was to be done once a year, but of what was daily and constantly to be practised; and which was to be done not by one only, to all the rest, but what they were mutually to do; what they were to do to one another; for the thing signified, reaches to, and is obligatory upon all Christians. Our Lord’s meaning is, that as he had, by this action, given them an example of humility, condescension, and love; so they should exercise these graces, and perform such kind offices to one another, and to all their fellow Christians.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
An example (). For the old (not in N.T.), from , to show under the eyes as an illustration or warning (Mt 3:7), common in the papyri for illustration, example, warning, here only in John, but in Jas 5:10; 2Pet 2:6; Heb 4:11; Heb 8:5; Heb 9:26. Peter uses (1Pe 5:3) with this incident in mind. In Jude 1:7 (without ) occurs in the sense of example.
That ye also should do ( ). Purpose clause with and the present active subjunctive of (keep on doing). Doing what? Does Jesus here institute a new church ordinance as some good people today hold? If so, it is curious that there is no record of it in the N.T. Jesus has given the disciples an object lesson in humility to rebuke their jealousy, pride, and strife exhibited at this very meal. The lesson of the “example” applies to all the relations of believers with each other. It is one that is continually needed.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Example [] . On the three words used in the New Testament for example, uJpodeigma, tupov, and deigma, see on 2Pe 2:6; 1Pe 5:3; Jude 1:7.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1 ) “For I have given you an example,” (hupodeigma gar edoka humin) “For I gave you (by it) an example,” of what? An example, not an ordinance, of humility, hospitality, and help and acceptance of others, as they are, in social fellowship. Neither this nor any other Bible reference to foot-washing was ever in connection with religious worship.
2) “That ye should do as I have done to you.” (hina kathos ego epoiesa humin kai humeis poiete) 1Pe 4:9, “in order that just as I did to you all, you all may also do,” show hospitality, friendship, and humility to all who come into your home or residence, to sit down and dine at any common meal, Mat 11:29; Php_2:5; 1Pe 2:21; 1Jn 2:6; Heb 13:1-2; Rom 12:13.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
15. For I have given you an example. It deserves our attention that Christ says that he gave an example; for we are not at liberty to take all his actions, without reserve, as subjects of imitation. The Papists boast that, by Christ’s example, they observe the forty days’ fast, or Lent. But we ought first to see whether or not he intended to lay down his fast as an example that the disciples might conform to it as a rule. We read: nothing of this sort, and, therefore, the imitation of it is not less wicked than if they attempted to fly to heaven. Besides, when they ought to have followed Christ, they were not imitators, but apes. Every year they have a fashion of washing some people’s feet, as if it were a farce which they were playing on the stage; (48) and so, when they have performed this idle and unmeaning ceremony, they think that they have fully discharged their duty, and reckon themselves at liberty to despise their brethren during the rest of the year. (49) But — what is far worse (50) — after having washed the feet of twelve men, they subject every member of Christ to cruel torture, and thus spit in Christ’s face. This display of buffoonery, therefore, is nothing else than a shameful mockery of Christ. At all events, Christ does not here enjoin an annual ceremony, but bids us be ready, throughout our whole life, to wash the feet of our brethren and neighbors. (51)
(48) “ Comme s’ils jouyoient une farce sur des eschaffauts.”
(49) “ Tout le reste de l’an.”
(50) “ Il y a bien pis.”
(51) “ De nos fi,eres et prochains.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(15) That ye should do as I have done to you.The example is in the principle, not in the specific act; it is not that which I have done to you, but according as I have done to you. The imitation is to be worked out in applying the same principle of love and self-sacrifice in all the varying circumstances of life in which we are placed.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Joh 13:15. For I have given you an example, “I have set you a pattern of humility, to recommend that indispensably necessary grace to you:” and it must be acknowledged, that nothing shews us more effectually the necessity of this grace, than its being recommended to us by so high an examplea recommendation, which in the present circumstances was peculiarly seasonable; for the disciples having heard Jesus say, that the kingdom of God was at hand, (Luk 22:18.) their minds were so fired with ambitious passions, that, before they arose from supper, they fell into a hot contention about sharing the principal posts in the kingdom. It may be proper to observe, that these words have been understood, as ordaining this to be a continued rite among Christians. But though some anciently conceived the practice to be thus enjoined, and the Moravian churches still retain it; yet, as no such rite as this has ever generally prevailed in the Christian world, and as, in many places and circumstances, it would be an inconvenience, rather than a kindness, to do it for our friends; the words of our Lord, so plainly capable of another and more important sense, are not to be interpreted with so much strictness. Our Lord designed to teach his disciples the great lesson of humble love, as well as toconfer inward purity upon them; and hereby he teaches us, first, in every possible way to assist each other in attaining that purity: secondly, to wash each other’s feet, by performing all sorts of good offices to each other; even those of the lowest kind, when the necessity of any calls for them. See the publication entitled The Religious Ceremonies, &c. vol. 1: p. 417 where may be seen into what a farce this ceremony of washing the feet is turned on some occasions.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Ver. 15. For I have given you an example ] . This St Peter calls , a copy for us to write after, 1Pe 2:21 . And in the same chapter saith that we should preach forth Christ’s virtues, , Joh 13:9 ; our lives should be as so many sermons upon Christ’s life, while we strive to express him to the world in all his imitable graces. This is to walk in Christ,Col 2:6Col 2:6 , to walk as Christ walked,1Jn 2:61Jn 2:6 . The meditation of Christ’s meekness converted the eunuch, Act 8:32-33 , &c. And we read of an earl, called Eleazarus, that being given to immoderate anger, was cured of that disordered affection by studying of Christ, and of his patience. This meditation he never suffered to pass from him, before he found his heart transformed into the similitude of Jesus Christ. Crux pendentis, cathedra docentis. (In Vita eius apud Surentius). The cross of hanging, the seat of learning.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
15. ] , not , . Our Lord’s action was symbolical, and is best imitated in His followers by endeavouring, “if a man be overtaken in a fault, to restore ( ) such an one in the spirit of meekness:” Gal 6:1 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 13:15 . . is condemned by Phrynichus, who recommends the Attic . See Rutherford’s interesting note, New Phryn. , p. 62. The purpose, , of His action was that they might act in the same humble, loving spirit, in all their conduct to one another.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
example. Greek. hupodeigma. Occurs Heb 4:11; Heb 8:5; Heb 9:23, &c.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
15.] , not , . Our Lords action was symbolical, and is best imitated in His followers by endeavouring, if a man be overtaken in a fault, to restore () such an one in the spirit of meekness: Gal 6:1.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 13:15
Joh 13:15
For I have given you an example,-He is enforcing on this occasion the great lesson of his mission-that the true end of the servant of God is to serve and not to be served, that men and angels will find their highest and best good in helping others. Man can bless himself only by blessing others.
that ye also should do as I have done to you.-This washing of the feet was the cleansing that they might eat the passover supper. The special service could not again occur save on a similar occasion. As the Passover passed away or was swallowed up in Christ, our Passover, the same service might occur. But the principle taught in this by example was: let him that would be greatest be servant of all. There is nothing in this that could indicate a special ordinance or formal observance to be perpetuated in the church. The feet washing of both the Old Testament and the New were acts of helpful kindness when needed. [To take these words as a command to establish the church ordinance of foot washing, as some have done, is to utterly miss the spirit of the whole scene, and the great lesson it was intended to convey.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
given: Mat 11:29, Rom 15:5, *marg. Eph 5:2, 1Pe 2:21, 1Pe 3:17, 1Pe 3:18, 1Jo 2:6
Reciprocal: Jdg 19:21 – they washed Mat 3:15 – for Mat 23:11 – General Luk 10:37 – Go Joh 10:4 – he goeth 1Co 9:19 – I made 2Co 4:5 – and Gal 5:13 – but Gal 6:2 – the law Phi 2:5 – General 2Th 3:9 – to make
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5
This verse is more general and shows Jesus intended his act to be an example of humility, a characteristic that had been wanting so many times in their conduct.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 13:15. For I gave you an example, that ye also should do even as I did to you. What the giver of a commission does may well be done by the servant to whom the commission is given. It is important to observe that the act spoken of is only that of washing one anothers feet.