FOOT WASHING  - LESSON OR ORDINANCE?

By Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

An exposition of John 13

Down through the centuries of the Christian church, there has always been a small segment that have held to the foot washing teaching of Jesus in John 13 as an ordinance.

The majority of Baptists in history and today do not go to this extreme. Why?

The answer I believe is found in a close look at this chapter in the light of both custom and Biblical exegesis.

Let us start with verse one and observe closely.

1. THE TIME ELEMENT: vs. 1-3

A. Christ’s Earthly Ministry at a Close:
1. This was before the feast of the Passover.

Jesus saw the end in view, that is, His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God.

2. Jesus’ love for His own is expressed.

He wanted to protect them from the agony of separation due to Calvary.

He knew they would grieve, be despondent or depressed with a tendency to discouragement and to drift apart.

B. The Work of Satan in Opposition:

1. Satan had planted a seed of betrayal in the heart of Judas Iscariot.

2. This betrayal would have an effect on the minds and emotions of the other disciples.

C. The Knowledge of Christ:

1. Christ knew his authority from the Father.

2. Christ knew where He was going.

D. The Custom of the Time:

1. The following act of Christ is not unusual.

It would be unusual to most of the world today.

In that day, Jesus was to use a visual aid, by taking a very usual custom, that of foot washing, to illustrate a Biblical and Spiritual Principle to His disciples.

2. Foot washing was an oriental or near eastern custom. People wore sandals and walked most of the time in sandy places. The custom was for the host to provide a basin and towel for their guests to wash their dirty feet.

Jesus used this custom to illustrate a truth he wished His disciples to learn in view of His soon departure.

2. A TIMELY EXAMPLE: vs 4-5

A. Preparation: vs 4

1. He rose following the supper. Commentators are divided as to whether or not this is the actual Paschal supper. Vs 1 indicates that it is “before” the supper but it does not indicate directly as to which supper.

2. We note from this passage and vs 2 that Judas Iscariot’s plot to betray Christ was under way.

It is most likely that this event took place between the Passover and the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Judas was not present for the Lord’s Supper (Vs 27,30) but may well have been present for the footwashing but this would be before Satan entered into him.

Dr. Alvah Hovey says of vs 2 – “And supper being ended- (rather, as supper was taking place.) This latter is a literal rendering of the first clause, according to the now accepted text. By it the writer points out more exactly the time when Jesus rose his place to wash his disciples feet. According to the preceding verse it was “before the feast of the passover” had actually begun; and according to this it was while the supper was, in some sense, taking place- perhaps, soon after the preliminary cup of wine had been drunk, and while the principal course of food was brought on for the guests who had already taken their places at the table. Then instead of beginning the meal, Jesus “riseth,” etc (vs 4).-(Alvah Hovey-Pg 266, Volume 3, An American Commentary on the New Testament.)

This being the case, Judas Iscariot was yet present for the washing of feet by Jesus. This simply adds to the sin of Judas who already had it in his heart to betray Jesus who had stooped to wash his feet.

3. He (Jesus) set aside his garments. Literally his outer cloak.

4. He girded himself with a towel. (Prepared to serve or act as a servant.)

B. Participation: vs 5

1. After pouring water into a basin, he began to wash the disciples feet and to dry them with the towel.

2. Note that this act was done only to the disciples. No women were present.

3. In this act, only Jesus did the washing and drying of feet. They did not here wash each other’s feet.

3. A TIMELY ENCOUNTER: vs 6-11

A. Peter’s Rebellion: vs 6-8

1. “Lord dost thou wash my feet?”

Peter appears to have a false sense of pride and humility.

By the use of the word “Lord”, it appears Peter did not think that one who is Lord should stoop to such a level as to wash his feet.

2. Jesus answer:

You do not understand now what I am doing.

You will soon (in the future) understand this lesson I am trying to teach you.

3. Peter’s pride is still showing.

“Thou shalt never wash my feet.” – vs 8

The emphasis is still upon “my” feet.

4. Jesus reply to Peter’s rebellion:

“If I wash thee not thou shalt have no part with me.”

This is not speaking about salvation. Salvation is not of works, whether footwashing, baptism, church membership or keeping the law.

Salvation is all of grace!

5. Jesus is talking here about fellowship in service.

One who will not submit to others cannot be used in service.

Peter must set aside his pride and humble himself before Christ.

B. Peter’s repentance:

1. “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head.”

In effect, Peter said, “give me a whole bath”.

2. Jesus’ reply:

“He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit; and ye are clean but not all.”

They were saved, including Peter. They had been washed (Jn. 15:3) and were clean.

The feet are representative of walking in the dust of the world.

This is easily understood in the light of the custom of the world.

3. “Not all” is no doubt reference to Judas (vs 11) whose action proved him to be unsaved.

4. Peter then apparently submitted to Christ along with the others. (Vs 12)

4. A TIMELY EXPLANATION: vs 12-17

A. Explanation: vs 13-14

1. Do you know (understand the reason of) what I have done to you?

2. “You all call (verbalize) me as Lord and Master (the Lord and Teacher).

You are right in saying so, for that is of a truth what I am (vs 13).

3. If I who as your Lord and Teacher, wash your feet, you ought, it is your duty, you are under obligation to wash each other’s feet – vs 14.

Jesus applies his illustration of foot washing to His disciples.

Cf Romans 12:10; Gal. 6:1-2; 1 Peter 5:5.

These verses show the meaning of Jesus words in this verse.

B. Exhortation: vs 15-17

1. “For I have given you an example.”

The word example is not to be taken as in an ordinance.

This is not a rule of law, and the emphasis is not on the washing of feet, rather upon the act of humility.

Jesus example was not washing feet, but of humility and unity among the brethren.

2. “that ye should do as I have done to you?”

Does Jesus mean, “wash feet”?

Or does he make a spiritual application to that of humility, unity and equality among the members of the church? I think rather the latter.

This is brought out in Jesus’ following remarks, in chapter 13.

3. Here is what Jesus was illustrating in the act of foot washing.

a) The servant is not greater than his Lord.

Jesus humbled Himself, so should we.

b) Neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

Jesus is not greater than His father who sent him.

The disciples who are sent are not greater than Jesus who sent them.

Cf John 15:20; Matt. 10:24; Luke 6:40.

A principle is seen here brought out in Matthew 20:35; and 23:8; which is that of equality.

This is a Baptist principle where no man is to Lord it over another. This is a contrary to the so-called clergy-laity relationship in many non-Baptist denominations.

4. If you have knowledge of these things, you will be happy if you do them or act them out.

CONCLUSION:

1. The emphasis in Jesus action is clearly on humility and equality.

2. He did this as an example (illustration) not as an ordinance.

3. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are clearly commanded and enlarged upon by Jesus and Paul, not so with foot washing.

4. Even the carrying out of an ordinance is not an act of humility in itself.

5. Foot washing has never been carried out (historically), by the majority of believers.

6. Foot washing should not be a test of fellowship with the family of God, nor should it become a prerequisite for baptism and church membership, or be allowed to divide a church.

7. The main purpose of a church is not seen so much in the manner of carrying out the ordinances, but the living of their meaning.

8. Majoring on minors detracts from the soul-winning evangelistic mission fervor of a church and defeats her purpose.

9. Baptism, the Lord’s supper, tithing, soul-winning, church attendance are clearly taught in scripture and should be emphasized.

Those that are not should be left to the opinions of men and not allowed to divide the Body of Christ.

For further information write:

Baptist Pulpit Ministries

C/o 48 Cobbler Crescent

North York, Ontario, Canada, M3N 2Y7

(This is a Landmark Baptist Publication – 15/10/89)