John 13

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.

1The Passover feast was almost here. Passover was a special holiday meal each year. Jesus knew it was time for him to leave this world. He was going back to God, his Father. He loved his friends who were in the world. He loved them all the way to the end.

NoteIn the King James Bible, "his hour was come" means the right time had arrived.

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

2They were eating supper. The devil had already put an idea into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. The idea was 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 his Father had put everything in his hands. He knew he had come from God. He knew he was going back to God.

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

4So Jesus got up from the meal. He took off his outer coat. 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.

5Then he poured water into a big bowl. He began to wash his friends' feet. He dried them with the towel tied around him.

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

6He came to Simon Peter. Peter 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 to him, "You will never wash my feet!" Jesus answered, "If I do not wash you, then you have no part with me."

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

9Simon Peter said to him, "Then, Lord, 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 to him, "A person who has had a bath is already clean. He only needs to wash his feet. And you are clean, but not all of you are."

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?

12So he finished washing their feet. He put his coat back on and sat down again. He said to 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. You are right to say that, 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.

14I am your Lord and Teacher, and I washed your feet. So 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 shown you how to act. You should do for others 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 happy if you do them.

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 words in the Scriptures must come true. They say, 'The man who eats 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 this before it happens. Then when it happens, you will believe that I am he.

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 is welcoming me. And whoever welcomes me is welcoming 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 felt deep sadness inside. He told them plainly, "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.

22His friends looked at each other. They did not know who he meant.

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

23One of his friends was sitting right next to him, leaning close. This was the friend Jesus loved.

NotePeople at meals back then did not sit on chairs. They lay on cushions on their side around a low table. So a person's head could be near the chest of the friend next to him.

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

24So Simon Peter made a sign to him. He wanted him to ask Jesus who it was.

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

25So that friend leaned back close to 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, "I will dip this piece of bread and give it to him. That is the one." Then he dipped the bread and gave it to Judas Iscariot, the 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 went into him. Then Jesus said to him, "Do what you are going to do. Do it quickly."

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

28No one at the table knew 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 for the group. So some of them thought Jesus wanted him to buy food for the feast. Others thought Jesus wanted him to give money to poor people.

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

30Judas took the bread and went out right away. 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 was gone, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is honored. And God is honored in him.

Note"Son of Man" is a name Jesus used for himself. To be "glorified" means to be shown as great and honored.

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. And God will do it very soon.

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 dear children, I will only be with you a little longer. You will look for me. I told the Jewish leaders that they could not come where I am going. Now I say the same thing to you.

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 rule. Love one another. I have loved you, so you must love one another.

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 followers. They will know because you 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 him, "You cannot follow me there now. But you will follow me later."

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

37Peter said to him, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I would even die 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 him, "Would you really die for me? I tell you the truth. Before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you do not know me."