John

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

1It was just before the Passover festival. Jesus knew it was time for him to leave this world and go to the Father. He had always loved his own people in the world, and he loved them right to the end.

2And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;

2The evening meal was going on. The devil had already put the idea into the heart of Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to hand Jesus over to his enemies.

3Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

3Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands. He knew he had come from God and was going back to God.

4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

4So he got up from the meal and took off his outer robe. Then he picked up a towel and tied it around his waist.

5After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

5After that he poured water into a large bowl. He began to wash his disciples' feet and dry them with the towel he was wearing.

NoteRoads then were dusty and people wore sandals, so washing a guest's feet was normal. It was the lowest job in the house, usually done by a servant.

6Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

7Jesus answered him, "You do not understand what I am doing now, but later you will understand."

8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

8Peter said, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me."

9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

9Simon Peter said, "Lord, then do not wash only my feet. Wash my hands and my head too."

10Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

10Jesus said, "Someone who has already bathed only needs his feet washed. The rest of him is clean. And you are clean, though not all of you."

11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

11Jesus knew who was going to hand him over. That is why he said, "Not all of you are clean."

12So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

12When he had washed their feet, he put his robe back on and sat down again. He asked them, "Do you understand what I have done for you?

13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

13You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, because that is what I am.

14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should wash one another's feet too.

15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

15I have given you an example. You should do for each other what I have done for you.

16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

16I tell you the truth: a servant is not greater than his master. A messenger is not greater than the one who sent him.

17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

17Now you know these things. You will be glad if you actually do them.

NoteThe old wording says "happy are ye." It does not mean a warm feeling. It means you are in a good place, well off, because you are doing what he said.

18I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

18I am not talking about all of you. I know the ones I have chosen. But the Scripture must come true: 'The man who ate bread with me has turned against me.'

19Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

19I am telling you now, before it happens. Then when it happens, you will believe that I am who I say I am.

20Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

20I tell you the truth: whoever welcomes anyone I send welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me welcomes the One who sent me."

21When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

21After Jesus said this, he was deeply troubled. He said openly, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to hand me over."

22Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

22The disciples looked at each other. They had no idea which one he meant.

23Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

23One of his disciples, the one Jesus loved, was resting close beside him at the table.

NotePeople did not sit on chairs at this meal. They lay on low couches, leaning on one elbow, so a person's head was near the chest of the one beside him.

24Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.

24So Simon Peter signaled to him to ask Jesus who he was talking about.

25He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

25Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"

26Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

26Jesus answered, "It is the one I give this piece of bread to, after I dip it." Then he dipped the bread and gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon.

27And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

27As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "Do what you are going to do, and do it quickly."

28Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.

28No one at the table understood why Jesus said this to him.

29For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

29Judas kept the money bag. So some of them thought Jesus was telling him to buy what they needed for the festival, or to give something to poor people.

30He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

30As soon as Judas took the bread, he went outside. And it was night.

31Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

31After Judas left, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is honored, and God is honored in him.

32If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

32If God is honored in him, then God will also honor him with his own glory, and he will do it right away.

33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

33My children, I will only be with you a little longer. You will look for me. I told the Jewish leaders they could not come where I am going, and now I tell you the same.

34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

34I am giving you a new command: love one another. Love one another in the same way that I have loved you.

35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

35This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples: you will love one another."

36Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

36Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "You cannot follow me there now, but you will follow later."

37Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

37Peter said, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I would give up my life for you."

38Jesus 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.

38Jesus answered, "Would you really give up your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you do not know me."

Note"Deny me" means saying you do not know someone, to keep yourself out of trouble.