John 13:10 Washing of feet

[Safetynutt]

8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”
9 Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.”
11 For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

I had an “Aha!” moment when another Christian told me this was a sign of baptism/ reconciliation since Christ was washing away sin, but not the sin of all (Judas). Then I spoke with another Catholic and he said, basically, I couldn’t have my Aha because the church teaches this only symbolizes how Christ calls his clergy to service.

Man, I really liked that Aha. It seemed to make so much more sense that Christ was cleansing the apostles of sin before they received Eucharist.

Is this accurate, the Church teaches the washing of feet only as symbolic of service?

Mark

 

[EricFilmer]

Is this accurate, the Church teaches the washing of feet only as symbolic of service?

As far as I know, the Church does not give an official interpretation of this section of John, so this is more in the realm of what Scripture scholars theorize. The general understanding is that the washing of the feet symbolizes the importance of humble, loving service to others. However, gospel events can have different levels of meaning, especially within the Gospel of John, and baptismal imagery could well be conveyed in this event.

For example, here is some commentary from Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch:

John 13:5 Wash the disciples’ feet: A gesture of hospitality normally performed by a household slave, not the presiding host. Jesus thus shows himself a model of humility (1Tim 5:10) and, at the same time, gives a preview of the heroic service he will render when he accepts the humiliation of the Cross (Mk 10:45, Phil 2:5-8). The foot washing may be a sign of priestly ordination as in the OT (Ex 40:12, 30-32).

John 13:10 He who has bathed: Seems to imply that the apostles have already been baptized, although this is not explicitly stated in the Gospels. Jesus’ words hints at the distinction between Baptism, which washes away every stain of sin committed (actual) and contracted (Original), and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which cleanses us of the accumulated dust of sins committed after our baptismal washing (20:23; 1Jn 1:9; CCC 1446).

• Scott Hahn & Curtis Mitch, Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament (Ignatius Press: San Francisco, 2010), 187.

 

[thistle]

8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”
9 Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.”
11 For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

I had an “Aha!” moment when another Christian told me this was a sign of baptism/ reconciliation since Christ was washing away sin, but not the sin of all (Judas). Then I spoke with another Catholic and he said, basically, I couldn’t have my Aha because the church teaches this only symbolizes how Christ calls his clergy to service.

Man, I really liked that Aha. It seemed to make so much more sense that Christ was cleansing the apostles of sin before they received Eucharist.

Is this accurate, the Church teaches the washing of feet only as symbolic of service?

Mark

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 10. He that is washed, &c. The feet are always apt to contract some dust or dirt; and in the mystical sense, he that is washed by the sacraments of baptism, or penance, from greater sins, must still endeavour to cleanse, and purify his affections from lesser failings of human frailty. And you, my apostles, are clean from greater offences, but not all of you, meaning the traitor Judas. (Witham) — It is impossible that the extremities of the soul (if we may be allowed the expression) should not, as long as we tread upon this earth, receive some stain or other; although in the opinion of men, the soul appear just. Many indeed after baptism, are covered with the dust of sin, even to the head, but those who are disciples indeed, need only to wash their feet. (Origen, tract. 32. in Joan.) — The foulness of the feet, when the rest is clean, signifies the earthly affections, and remains of former sins remitted, which are to be cleansed by devout acts of charity and humility. (St. Ambrose, lib. iii. de Sacram. chap. 1; St. Bernard, de cæn. Dom. ser. 1.) — Though his disciples were clean, still he washed their feet, comformably to that of the Apocalypse, chap. xxii. “He that is clean, let him be cleansed still.” (Origen, tract. 32. in Joan.)

 

[E_Thrower_II]

8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”
9 Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.”
11 For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

I had an “Aha!” moment when another Christian told me this was a sign of baptism/ reconciliation since Christ was washing away sin, but not the sin of all (Judas). Then I spoke with another Catholic and he said, basically, I couldn’t have my Aha because the church teaches this only symbolizes how Christ calls his clergy to service.

Man, I really liked that Aha. It seemed to make so much more sense that Christ was cleansing the apostles of sin before they received Eucharist.

Is this accurate, the Church teaches the washing of feet only as symbolic of service?

Mark

14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also “ought” to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

The word ought is Greek for opheilo (g3784); to owe, to be under obligation.

Communion fulfills the greatest commandments, love the Lord God with all your heart, mind, and soul (bread and wine). Love thy neighbor as thyself (feet washing).

Paul talked about justification in the eyes of God.
James talked about justification in the eyes of our brethren.

There is no such thing as Godliness, without brotherly kindness. They go hand in hand. Two sides to the same coin.