John – Chapter 13

New Testament38 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Before the festival day of the pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out of this world to the Father: having…" — so begins John 13. The chapter centers on Peter, Simon and Judas. Across its 38 verses, two threads run through the text: love and charity and God feeding His people. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Before the festival day of the pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out of this world to the Father: having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

2And when supper was done (the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him),

3Knowing that the Father had given him all things into his hands and that he came from God and goeth to God,

4He riseth from supper and layeth aside his garments and, having taken a towel, girded himself.

5After that, he putteth water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

6He cometh therefore to Simon Peter. And Peter saith to him: Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7Jesus answered and said to him: What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

8Peter saith to him: Thou shalt never wash my feet, Jesus answered him: If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with me.

9Simon Peter saith to him: Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.

10Jesus saith to him: He that is washed needeth not but to wash his feet, but is clean wholly. And you are clean, but not all.

11For he knew who he was that would betray him; therefore he said: You are not all clean.

12Then after he had washed their feet and taken his garments, being set down again, he said to them: Know you what I have done to you?

13You call me Master and Lord. And you say well: for so I am.

14If then I being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet.

15For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.

16Amen, amen, I say to you: The servant is not greater than his lord: neither is the apostle greater than he that sent him.

17If you know these things, you shall be blessed if you do them.

18I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen. But that the scripture may be fulfilled: He that eateth bread with me shall lift up his heel against me,

19At present I tell you, before it come to pass: that when it shall come to pass, you may believe that I am he.

20Amen, amen, I say to you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me: and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

21When Jesus had said these things, he was troubled in spirit; and he testified, and said: Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you shall betray me.

22The disciples therefore looked one upon another, doubting of whom he spoke.

23Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

24Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him and said to him: Who is it of whom he speaketh?

25He therefore, leaning on the breast of Jesus, saith to him: Lord, who is it?

26Jesus answered: He it is to whom I shall reach bread dipped. And when he had dipped the bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

27And after the morsel, Satan entered into him. And Jesus said to him: That which thou dost, do quickly.

28Now no man at the table knew to what purpose he said this unto him.

29For some thought, because Judas had the purse, that Jesus had said to him: Buy those things which we have need of for the festival day: or that he should give something to the poor.

30He therefore, having received the morsel, went out immediately. And it was night.

31When he therefore was gone out, Jesus said: Now is the Son of man glorified; and God is glorified in him.

32If God be glorified in him, God also will glorify him in himself: and immediately will he glorify him.

33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek me. And as I said to the Jews: Whither I go you cannot come; so I say to you now.

34A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

35By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.

36Simon Peter saith to him: Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered: Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now: but thou shalt follow hereafter.

37Peter saith to him: Why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thee.

38Jesus answered him: Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Amen, amen, I say to thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou deny me thrice.

Important Verses in John 13

Before the festival day of the pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out of this world to the Father: having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

John 13:1

You call me Master and Lord. And you say well: for so I am.

John 13:13

Amen, amen, I say to you: The servant is not greater than his lord: neither is the apostle greater than he that sent him.

John 13:16

Jesus answered him: Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Amen, amen, I say to thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou deny me thrice.

John 13:38

Historical Context

John belongs to the New Testament and was composed for the Church at the close of the apostolic age, led into the mystery of Christ's divinity. Chapter 13 of 21 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 38 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Peter, Simon and Judas, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The chapter begins: "Before the festival day of the pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out of this world to…" It concludes: "Jesus answered him: Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Amen, amen, I say to thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou…" The wider setting of John is this: The fourth Gospel begins before creation: 'In the beginning was the Word. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of John around About AD 90-100, at Ephesus.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle John, the beloved disciple, according to early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 90-100, at Ephesus

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, John 13 delivers commandments and ritual instructions given under the old covenant. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Before the festival day of the pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out of this world to the Father: having loved his own who were…" The passage repeatedly touches on love and charity.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 756). Here, John's Gospel reveals Christ's divinity most clearly (CIC 241). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize love and charity as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that I am the way, the truth, and the life. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, John 13 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

People in This Chapter

Peter7 mentionsSimon6 mentionsJudas3 mentions

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims John Chapter 13 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in John Chapter 13. At the moral level, repentance and the mercy of God challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 791).

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of repentance and the mercy of God bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is John Chapter 13 about?

John 13 contains 38 verses. It opens with "Before the festival day of the pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out of this world to…" and closes with "Jesus answered him: Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Amen, amen, I say to thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou…". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in John 13?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Before the festival day of the pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out of this world to the Father: having loved his own who were in the world, he…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in John Chapter 13?

This chapter mentions Peter, Simon, Judas.

Who wrote John and when?

The Apostle John, the beloved disciple, according to early tradition. About AD 90-100, at Ephesus.

Deepen your understanding with these related articles