The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 193

Divine blessing, nor decline to be identified with his Lord to the fullest extent. 4. Owr Lord's interpretation of his me111ning. "He that is washed needeth not savo to wa~h his feet, but is clean every whit." (1) The apostle's words implied that he was wholly uncloan-head, hands, feet-and every believer must repeat the same words. (2) Ohrist washes all who have an interest in him, (3) All who have an interest in him may be regarded as "clean ; " for they are "washed, sanctified, justified, in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (4) Yet they all need a daily wash- ing on account of their repeated acts of sin, just as a traveller needs to ,vash the stain1 of the road off his feet. 5. Owr Lord's insight into Judas. "And ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betro.y him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean." (1) Jesus did not regard Judas as a justified man. (2) He shows the disciples that he is not the dupe of the tmitor'11 hypocrisy. (3) Our Lord's words might have warned Jude.s of the way upon which he was bent to hie own utter nndoing. Vere. 12-17.-The erJJplanation of the washing of the disciples' .feee. I. THE ARGU- MENT BY WIIIOH OUB LORD ENFORCES TBE LESSON OJ!' HIB A.OT. "Know ye what I have done unto you? Ye call me Master and Lord:: and ye say well; for so I am." Tbe titles the disciples gave to him have a decisive force. 1. ..tls he is a Teacher, they were bouncL to learn in his school with all docility and meekness of wisdom. 2. As a Master, they were bound to give him su"b,jection in all matters t()'!J,Ching the conduct of life. IL THE LESSON oF ms AOT. "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye ought also to wash one another's feet." ·l. There ought to be mutual conde- scension arid mutual service among lYrethren. Our Lord utterly opposed the idea oC hierarchical pretensions among them. Those who sought the highest place ought to de the meanest service, 2. Christ's example, ,which i8 always in a way of self-sacrifice, ought to be regarded as possessing an authcrritative force. "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you." (1) He does not say that w11 uhould do the very thing that he did, but do as he did; for we are not now bonnd to wash. one another's feet, · The example is in the principle, not in the specific act. (2) The Roman Catholic Church practically misrepresents our Lord's act by a. literal obedience to our Lord's commands. The pope washes the feet of twelve poor men on the Thurs- day of Piission week. (a) But why should it be done only once in a. year? The act is to be constantly imitated by true disciples. (b) Why should it be done only by the pope? It is to be done by nil Christians one to another. The act is to be a token of humility, condescension, love, and patience. 3. The tnO'IJ!}ht of the Lord's dignity ought to incline his servants to a ready acceptance of his example. "The servant is not greater than his Lord." 4. The blessedness of doing as well as knowing. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." (1) Our Lord does not command a blind obedience in his disciples. They ought to understand the principles and groun<lB of their action. (2) The knowledge· of God's will ought never to be divorced from the sincere practice of it. (3) Our happiness depen<lB upon the degree in which we correlate our ~owledge and our duty. Vers. 18-20.--,27ie exception to this blessedness of the disciples. The thought of their blessedness recalls the fact that there was one in their society with whom know• ledge would not he.ve this happy issue. I. TJIE TREAOBERY OF JUDAS WAS AS YET ONLY MANIFEST TO CHRIST. "I speak not of you all." 1. Jesus knew the thoughts of Judas's heart. There was no surprise, therefore, to Jesus in the treachery that was preparing the way for his death. 2. Judas was not an object of Christ's saving choice. "I know those whom I have chosen." This cannot refer to discipleship-for Judas was chosen to office just like the other apostles-but to grace and salvation. 3. The prophetic =firmation of Christ's words. "That the Scripture might be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me ha.th lifted up his heel against me." Whether the reference is to David or Jeremiah, the words refer to tba troubles inflicted on the righteous, by the treachery of a false friend. 4. Christ's fqresight of Judas's treachery would (1) in some degree relieve as well e.s anticipate the bitterness of dis~ppointmerit; (2) lead the disciples to trust in him the moro implicitly. ":Now I tell you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pa.ss, ye may believe that I arn he," If he had not ma.de this declarat:on, the disciples might have come to  200 'I'll!<.: G0SrEL ACOORDING TO ST. JOHN. [ou. XIII. 1-3&.