John 13:15 Meaning and Explanation
“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus explains that his washing of feet is a pattern for how the disciples are to treat one another.
The Context of John 13:15
Jesus's statement that his foot-washing is meant as a pattern or model for the disciples to follow in their relationships with each other.
What Does John 13:15 Mean?
The word 'example' here is crucial. Jesus is not establishing a ritual that must be repeated in exactly the same form (though foot-washing has sometimes been practiced literally in the church). He is showing us a principle, a pattern, a way of being. The example is one of utter vulnerability and love, of choosing the lowest place, of touching what others avoid. As disciples, we are to follow this pattern in our own lives, in the circumstances and relationships we find ourselves in.
What does this look like in our time? It might be the person who listens deeply to someone others dismiss. It might be the friend who sits with someone in grief without trying to fix it. It might be the parent who kneels to wash a child's scraped knee not grudgingly but with genuine tenderness. It might be forgiving someone who has wounded us, or acknowledging our own need and letting others serve us. The pattern is about radical decentering of self and radical care for the other. It requires that we constantly ask, 'How am I being called to lower myself in love today?'
How to Apply John 13:15 Today
We are not merely to admire what Jesus did; we are to do it. His example is a blueprint for how we treat others in our daily lives.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 13:15
What does John 13:15 mean?
Jesus explains that his washing of feet is a pattern for how the disciples are to treat one another.
What is the context of John 13:15?
Jesus's statement that his foot-washing is meant as a pattern or model for the disciples to follow in their relationships with each other.
How can I apply John 13:15 today?
We are not merely to admire what Jesus did; we are to do it. His example is a blueprint for how we treat others in our daily lives.