John

It was before the Passover feast. Jesus realized that his hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father, and as he had loved those who were his own in the world, he would love them to the very end.

They were at supper, and the devil had already put into the mind of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray him.

Jesus knew that the Father had entrusted all things to him, and as he had come from God, he was going to God.

So he got up from the table, removed his outer garment, and took a towel, wrapping it around his waist.

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel around his waist.

When he came to Simon Peter, Simon asked him:

“LORD, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus said:

“What I am doing you cannot understand now, but later you will understand.”

Peter replied:

“You shall never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered him:

“If I do not wash you, you can have no share with me.”

Then Simon Peter said:

“LORD, wash not only my feet but also my hands and my head!”

Jesus replied:

“Whoever has taken a bath does not need to wash (except the feet), for he is clean all over. You are clean, though not all of you.”

Jesus knew who was to betray him; because of this, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

When Jesus had finished washing their feet, he put on his garment again, went back to the table, and said to them:

“Do you understand what I have done for you?

You call me Teacher and LORD, and you are right, for so I am.

If I, then, your Teacher and LORD, have washed your feet, you also must wash one another’s feet.

I have given you an example, that as I have done, you also may do.

Truly, I say to you, the servant is not greater than his master, nor is the messenger greater than he who sent him.

Understand this, and blessed are you if you put it into practice.

I am not speaking of you all, because I know the ones I have chosen, and the scripture has to be fulfilled, which says:

The one who shares my table

Has lifted his heel against me.

I tell you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may know that I am He.

Truly, I say to you, whoever welcomes the one I send, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me.”

After saying this, Jesus was distressed in spirit, and said plainly:

“Truly, one of you will betray me.”

The disciples then looked at one another, wondering whom he meant.

One of the disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining near Jesus;

so Simon Peter signaled him to ask Jesus whom he meant.

The disciple, who was reclining near Jesus, asked him:

“LORD, who is it?”

Jesus answered:

“I shall dip a piece of bread in the dish, and he to whom I give it is the one.”

So Jesus dipped the bread in the dish and gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

As Judas took the piece of bread, Satan entered into him.

Jesus then said to him:

“What you are going to do, do quickly.”

None of the others reclining at the table understood why Jesus had said this to Judas.

As Judas had the common purse, they may have thought that Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or “Give something to the poor.”

Judas left as soon as he had eaten the bread. It was night.

When Judas had gone out, Jesus said:

“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and will glorify him at once.

My children, I am with you for only a little while; you will look for me, but as I already told the Jews, now I tell you: where I am going you cannot come.

I give you a new commandment: Love one another! Just as I have loved you, you also must love one another.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Simon Peter asked him:

“LORD, where are you going?”

Jesus answered:

“Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, but afterward you will.”

Peter said:

“LORD, why can’t I follow you now? I am ready to give my life for you.”

“To give your life for me?”

Jesus asked Peter.

“Truly I tell you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”