John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. Jesus knowing that the Father , etc.] These words express the sense Christ had of his own greatness and dignity as Mediator: had given all things into his hands ; all the persons of the elect, all blessings both of grace and glory for them, and power and authority over all other persons and things, to make them subservient to his purposes: and that he was come from God ; had his mission and commission, as man, from God; did not come of himself, but he sent him: and went to God ; or was going to him in a very little time, to sit at his right hand, to have a name above every name, and to have angels, authorities, and powers subject to him; which, as it shows his high esteem with his Father, and his exalted character as Mediator, so it greatly illustrates his wonderful humility, that in the view, and under a sense and consideration of all this, he should condescend to wash the feet of his disciples; of which an account is given in the following verses.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-17 - Our Lord Jesus has a people in the world that are his own; he ha purchased them, and paid dear for them, and he has set them apart for himself; they devote themselves to him as a peculiar people. Those who Christ loves, he loves to the end. Nothing can separate a true believe from the love of Christ. We know not when our hour will come, therefor what we have to do in constant preparation for it, ought never to be undone. What way of access the devil has to men's hearts we cannot tell. But some sins are so exceedingly sinful, and there is so littl temptation to them from the world and the flesh, that it is plain the are directly from Satan. Jesus washed his disciples' feet, that he might teach us to think nothing below us, wherein we may promote God' glory, and the good of our brethren. We must address ourselves to duty and must lay aside every thing that would hinder us in what we have to do. Christ washed his disciples' feet, that he might signify to the the value of spiritual washing, and the cleansing of the soul from the pollutions of sin. Our Lord Jesus does many things of which even his own disciples do not for the present know the meaning, but they shal know afterward. We see in the end what was the kindness from event which seemed most cross. And it is not humility, but unbelief, to pu away the offers of the gospel, as if too rich to be made to us, or to good news to be true. All those, and those only, who are spirituall washed by Christ, have a part in Christ. All whom Christ owns an saves, he justifies and sanctifies. Peter more than submits; he begs to be washed by Christ. How earnest he is for the purifying grace of the Lord Jesus, and the full effect of it, even upon his hands and head Those who truly desire to be sanctified, desire to be sanctifie throughout, to have the whole man, with all its parts and powers, mad pure. The true believer is thus washed when he receives Christ for his salvation. See then what ought to be the daily care of those wh through grace are in a justified state, and that is, to wash their feet; to cleanse themselves from daily guilt, and to watch agains everything defiling. This should make us the more cautious. From yesterday's pardon, we should be strengthened against this day' temptation. And when hypocrites are discovered, it should be n surprise or cause of stumbling to us. Observe the lesson Christ her taught. Duties are mutual; we must both accept help from our brethren and afford help to our brethren. When we see our Master serving, we cannot but see how ill it becomes us to domineer. And the same love which led Christ to ransom and reconcile his disciples when enemies still influences him.
Greek Textus Receptus
ειδως 1492 5761 V-RAP-NSM ο 3588 T-NSM ιησους 2424 N-NSM οτι 3754 CONJ παντα 3956 A-APN δεδωκεν 1325 5758 V-RAI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM ο 3588 T-NSM πατηρ 3962 N-NSM εις 1519 PREP τας 3588 T-APF χειρας 5495 N-APF και 2532 CONJ οτι 3754 CONJ απο 575 PREP θεου 2316 N-GSM εξηλθεν 1831 5627 V-2AAI-3S και 2532 CONJ προς 4314 PREP τον 3588 T-ASM θεον 2316 N-ASM υπαγει 5217 5719 V-PAI-3S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
3. Had given (dedwken). The best texts read edwken, gave, the aorist marking Jesus' commission as given once for all.Was come (exhlqe). This rendering would require the perfect tense. The aorist points to His coming as a historic fact, not as related to its result. See on xii. 47. Rev., rightly, came forth.
Went (upagei). Present tense: goeth; withdrawing from the scenes of earth. Note the original order: that it was from God He came forth, and unto God He is going.
