Skip to content
All of John

Bible Chapter Summary

John 13 Summary

Foot Washing and the New Commandment

Before the Passover feast, Jesus, knowing His hour to depart to the Father, demonstrates His love by washing the disciples' feet, an act of humility they initially resist. After explaining that this example teaches them to serve one another, Jesus announces that one among them will betray Him. The devil having put betrayal into Judas' heart, Jesus gives Judas a sop and sends him out into the night. Jesus then reveals a new commandment: that the disciples love one another as He has loved them, saying that by this love all men will know they are His disciples. Peter declares he will lay down his life for Jesus, but Jesus foretells that Peter will deny Him three times before the cock crows.

Key themes

Servant humilityBetrayal foretoldLove one anotherGlorification of ChristFuture denialSpirit's sending

Key verses

John 13:14-15

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

John 13:34

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 13:38

Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

John 13:31

Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

Read John 13 in full

Study the complete chapter with interlinear Hebrew & Greek, verse-by-verse, in the Gospel Daily reader.

Open the full chapter

Highlight verses · Track progress · Unlock AI tools — free to start.