John 13

1It was near the time for the Passover. Jesus knew that it was almost time for Him to leave this world and go back to his Father in heaven. Jesus had always loved the people in the world who belonged to Him and Jesus loved them to the end. He showed it when He died for them on the cross

2Jesus and his followers were at the evening meal. The devil had already persuaded Judas Iscariot to hand Jesus over to his enemies. (Judas was the son of Simon.)

3Jesus knew that the Father had given Him the power over everything and everyone. He also knew that He had come from God and that He would go back to God the Father.

4So while they were eating, Jesus got up from the table. He took off his robe and Jesus tied a towel around his body like the servant always did when they served people

5Then Jesus poured water into a bowl and Jesus started to wash the feet of his disciples. Jesus also dried their feet with the towel around his hips.

6Jesus also wanted to wash Peter’s feet, but Peter asked Jesus: Lord, do You want to wash my feet?

7Jesus answered, You don’t know what I am doing now. But later you will understand.

8Peter said to Jesus: No, Lord, You will never wash my feet. Jesus said to him: ‘If I do not wash your feet, you can not be my disciple.

9Simon Peter said, Lord, after you wash my feet, wash my hands and my head too!

10But Jesus said to him: A person who has bathed is clean. His body is clean, and it is only his feet that need to be washed. You, who are here with Me, are clean, but not all of you.

11Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him. That is why He said: Not all of you are clean.

12After Jesus had washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus put his robe on again. He went back to his place at the table and Jesus asked his disciples: Do you understand what it means that I have washed your feet?

13You say I am your Teacher and your Lord. That is right. I am your Teacher and your Lord,

14but if your Teacher and Lord washes your feet, then you must also wash each other’s feet.

15I have given you an example. You must do to other people what I have done to you.

16I tell you this and it is sure: A servant is not more important than his master. A messenger is not more important than the man who has sent him.

17Now you have heard what I say. If you do it, God will bless you.

18I am not talking about all of you. I know the people that I have chosen, but it will happen as it is written in the Old Testament: Someone who ate with me has become my enemy.

19I am telling you now before it happens, then later on when it happens, you will believe that I am God.

20I tell you this and it is sure: When I send someone to bring a message and people listen to him, they listen to Me. And when people listen to Me, they listen to the Father who has sent Me.’

21After Jesus said these things, he felt very troubled. He said openly, Believe me when I say that one of will betray Me.’

22The disciples looked at each other. They were very surprised because they did not know who Jesus was talking about.

23The disciple that Jesus loved very much was sitting next to Jesus.

24Simon Peter made signs to this disciple and told him to ask Jesus who it was who would betray Him.

25Then leaning back against Jesus’ chest, John asked Him privately, Lord, who is it?

26Jesus answered him, I will dip this bread into the dish. The man I give it to is the one. So Jesus took a piece of bread, dipped it, and gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

27When Judas took the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus said to Judas, What you will do, do it quickly!

28The other disciples did not understand why Jesus said to Judas that he must hurry.

29Judas always had the money bag and some of the disciples thought that Jesus had told Judas to go and buy something for the feast or to give something to the poor people.

30After Judas had taken the bread, he went out immediately. It was night.

31After Judas had gone out, Jesus said: Now God will show that I, the Son of man, am also God. God has used Me to show that He is God.

32Yes, God used Me to show that He is God and God will show that I am also God. He will not wait long. He will do it now.

33My dear friends, I will be with you for only a short while. You will look for Me, but I tell you now what I have told the Jews: I am going to a place, but you can not come there.

34I give you a new law now: You must love each other as I have loved you.

35If you love each other, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.’

36Simon-Peter said to Jesus: Lord, where are You going? Jesus said to him: You can not come with Me now. You will come later.

37Peter said to Him: Lord, why can I not go with You now? I will die to protect You.

38Jesus said to him: No, Peter, you said you will die to protect Me, but I tell you this and it is sure: Before the cock crows tomorrow morning, you will say 3 times that you do not know Me.