The washing of feet, which is spoken of in the 13th chapter of the Gospel of John, has both an important direct meaning and an equally important symbolic one. According to Jewish tradition, when guests who came to a house (or a religious community gathered in a house) sat down for a meal...
The washing of feet, which is spoken of in the 13th chapter of the Gospel of John, has both an important direct meaning and an equally important symbolic one.
According to Jewish tradition, when guests who came to a house (or a religious community
gathered in a house) sat down for a meal, the youngest had to wash the hands of the eldest:
the master of the house, the most honored guest, or the head of the community. If there were servants in the house, in
certain cases a servant had to wash the feet of the most honored guest.
It is commonly believed that the youngest member of the apostolic community was John the Evangelist;
therefore, it was he who was supposed to wash the hands of the head of the community—the Lord Jesus
Christ. It was probably from the Apostle John that the Lord took the basin and the towel when He
began to wash the disciples' feet. Perhaps this is why the Apostle reports this fact to us.
One way or another, by washing the disciples' feet, the Lord places Himself in the position of a servant,
thereby profoundly shocking the disciples. Simon Peter even protested against it…
This action became a realization, as well as a visible and highly memorable repetition, of
Christ's words: "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give
His life a ransom for many" ( 20:28).
But most importantly—the Lord, according to His own words, in washing the disciples' feet set
an example both for the apostles themselves and for all those who would head Christian communities. "Whoever desires to become
great among you, let him be your servant" ( 20:28),
says Christ.
It is important that the concept of authority in the Church differs strikingly from secular notions.
The paradigm of secular authority has forever been the Roman emperor, who is considered the
best, the most important, who is unconditionally obeyed, and whose decisions are not debated. Such a
bearer of power is rendered homage, his portraits are hung on walls, and he is driven in chariots with
"flashing lights", blocking traffic for him in half the city…
In the Church, authority is associated with credibility and respect, but it is not connected with ostentatious pomp,
which the early Roman Christians called pompa diaboli. The main thing is that in the Church, authority
consists not in the right to make decisions, but in the power of love and service, and in spiritual
responsibility and the readiness to bear the sorrows of the people.
Since antiquity, this passage has been associated with priestly, and especially episcopal, ministry.
The heads of Christian communities are appointed precisely to serve the brethren according to the example that
Christ gives here. In the early centuries, this was essentially the case, and the early Church Fathers repeatedly urged
respect for bishops because of their service, rather than disregarding them. Later, the situation changed… It should be
noted that until 1917, there was a custom in the Russian Church whereby bishops on Maundy
Thursday (specifically, on Wednesday evening) washed the feet of the presbyters of their diocese. In some
Western Churches (including the Catholic Church), this custom has been preserved. In our country, after the persecutions,
this custom fell out of use, but the washing of feet remains the principal symbol of
Church ministry.
In addition to this, the washing of feet is generally considered one of the symbols of the purification of the heart, which
is accomplished both in Baptism and in confession, and this symbol is also connected with priestly
ministry.
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13:21 One of you - The speaking thus indefinitely at first was profitable to them all.
13:23 There was lying in the bosom of Jesus - That is, sitting next to him at table. This phrase only expresses the then customary posture at meals, where the guests all leaned sidewise on couches.And each was said to lie in the bosom of him who was placed next above him. One of the disciples whom Jesus loved - St. John avoids with great care the expressly naming himself. Perhaps our Lord now gave him the first proof of his peculiar love, by disclosing this secret to him.
13:24 Simon Peter - Behind Jesus, who lay between them.
13:25 Leaning down, and so asking him privately.
13:26 Jesus answered - In his ear. So careful was he not to offend (if it had been possible) even Judas himself. The sop - Which hetook up while he was speaking. He giveth it to Judas - And probably the other disciples thought Judas peculiarly happy! But when even this instance of our Lord's tenderness could not move him, then Satan took full possession.
13:27 What thou doest, do quickly - This is not a permission, much less a command. It is only as if he had said, If thou art determined to do it, why dost thou delay? Hereby showing Judas, that he could not be hid, and expressing his own readiness to suffer.
13:28 None knew why he said this - Save John and Judas.
13:30 He went out - To the chief priests. But he returned afterward, and was with them when they ate the passover, Mat 26:20, though not at the Lord's Supper.