John 13:13

John 13:13, in plain English

Jesus says, 'You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you're right. I am.' He owns His authority fully, which makes what He did next even more extraordinary.

Why it's here

This is not false humility. Jesus is saying: I really am your Lord and Teacher, and I just washed your feet. Let that sink in.

Who's speaking

Jesus affirms His authority before drawing out the lesson.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus does not shy away from His titles. He is the Teacher. He is the Lord. And He just knelt on the floor and washed the dust off their feet. The greater the authority, the more stunning the service.

The scholarly reading

Jesus acknowledges the titles 'Teacher' (ho didaskalos) and 'Lord' (ho kyrios) as correct (kalōs). These titles establish the authority from which the foot washing derives its force as an example.

Language and setting

By affirming His authority before explaining the lesson, Jesus ensures the foot washing is understood as a deliberate act from a position of power, not a concession from weakness.

Voice

Jesus affirms His own authority and titles as the basis for the lesson.

Significance

Jesus does not downplay His authority. He affirms that the disciples are right to call Him Teacher and Lord, because that is exactly what He is. This makes the foot washing all the more remarkable: the one with the highest title chose the lowest task.

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.

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

15I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.

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.