Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Before the Passover feast, Jesus knew his time had come to leave this world and return to the Father. So he loved his own followers in the world with a love that would never end.

During supper, the devil had already put it into Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he came from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his garments, took a towel, and wrapped it around himself.

With the towel still wrapped around him, he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet. When he came to Simon Peter, Peter said, "Lord, do you wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "What I'm doing you don't understand now, but you will understand later." Peter said, "You'll never wash my feet," but Jesus insisted, "If I don't wash you, you have no part with me."

Simon Peter then said, "Lord, I want my entire body washed, not just my feet." Jesus said, "The one who has been washed needs only to have his feet washed, and he is completely clean; but you are not all clean. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, 'You are not all clean.'"

After washing their feet and taking back his garments, Jesus sat down again and said, "Do you know what I've done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and that's correct, for that is who I am. If I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet."

Jesus continued, "I have given you an example to follow." He said, "Most certainly I tell you, the servant is not greater than his lord; neither is the one who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them."

"I speak not of you all," Jesus said, "I know whom I have chosen, but that the scripture may be fulfilled: 'He who eats with me has turned against me.'" He also warned them, "I tell you before it happens, so when it does come to pass, you will believe that I am he."

Jesus added, "He who receives whoever I send receives me, and he who receives me receives the One who sent me." When Jesus had spoken these words, he was deeply troubled in spirit. He said, "Truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me."

The disciples looked at each other, wondering which one Jesus had spoken about. One of Jesus' closest disciples, whom he loved, was reclining on his right side. Simon Peter beckoned to him and asked Jesus who it was that he spoke about.

He leaned in close, saying, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus replied, "It's the one I will give a piece of bread to after dipping it." When he dipped the bread and handed it to Judas Iscariot, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, "Do what you need to do quickly."

No one at the table understood what Jesus meant by speaking to Judas. Some thought that since Judas had the money bag, Jesus was telling him to buy things they needed for the festival. But Judas immediately got up and left, and it was night.

When Judas departed, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him." When he is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and immediately glorify him. Jesus continued, "Little children, yet a little while I am with you; you will seek me, and just as I told the Jews where I was going and they couldn't come with me, now I say to you:"

A new commandment I give to you: just as I have loved you deeply and unconditionally, so also you must love one another with the same depth and sincerity. By this, everyone will know that you are my followers if you have love for one another.

Simon Peter asked, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "You can't come with me now, but you will follow me later." Peter then asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I'm willing to give my life for your sake."

Jesus looked at him and said, "Are you willing to lay down your life for my sake? I assure you, before the rooster crows, you will have denied me three times."