John 13:11

John 13:11, in plain English

John explains that Jesus knew exactly who was going to betray Him. That is why He said not everyone was clean. He was talking about Judas.

Why it's here

Jesus didn't discover Judas' betrayal; He knew it all along. And yet He still washed Judas' feet, still shared the meal with him. That is astonishing grace.

Who's speaking

John clarifies Jesus' words for his readers.

Where it sits in the story

Even as Jesus spoke those words, He was looking at a man who would sell Him for thirty pieces of silver. He knew. And He served him anyway.

The scholarly reading

John provides an editorial clarification: Jesus knew (ēdei) the identity of His betrayer, which is why He said 'not all of you are clean.' The verb ēdei implies settled, certain knowledge.

Language and setting

This explanatory aside is characteristic of John's narrative style. It ensures the reader connects Jesus' statement about cleanliness directly to Judas' impending betrayal.

Voice

John explains Jesus' cryptic remark for his readers.

Significance

John pulls back the curtain for his readers: Jesus was not guessing or suspecting. He knew exactly who would betray Him. His comment about cleanness was a deliberate reference to Judas, spoken with full awareness of what was about to unfold.

9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!”

10Jesus told him, “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”

11For He knew who would betray Him. That is why He said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His outer garments, He reclined with them again and asked, “Do you know what I have done for you?

13You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am.

Read all of John 13 — Hours before His death, Jesus wraps a towel around His waist and washes His disciples' feet. Then He gives them a new command.