Jesus washed their feet in the middle of the meal! (Anne Marie)
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| John 13 Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet |
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Anne Marie . . . >
To: Donald . . . .
Sent: Sun, 24 April, 2011 8:12:59
Subject: Feet washing and Happy Easter.
From: Anne Marie . . . >
To: Donald . . . .
Sent: Sun, 24 April, 2011 8:12:59
Subject: Feet washing and Happy Easter.
Here are some thoughts and a moving note from Sr Melissa who serves in AFRICA.
I am remembering a talk from someone a long time ago about their service to the homeless. All of their ministry was focused on washing the feet of those who came into the centre and making sure they had clean socks and comfortable shoes. I wish I could remember who it was.
1.
In biblical times it was prescribed that the host of a banquet was to provide water (and a basin) so that his guests could wash their hands before sitting down to table. Although a host might also provide water for travelers to wash their own feet before entering the house, the host himself would not wash the feet of his guests. According to the Talmud the washing of feet was forbidden to any Jew except those in slavery.
In biblical times it was prescribed that the host of a banquet was to provide water (and a basin) so that his guests could wash their hands before sitting down to table. Although a host might also provide water for travelers to wash their own feet before entering the house, the host himself would not wash the feet of his guests. According to the Talmud the washing of feet was forbidden to any Jew except those in slavery.
2.
In the controversies between Hillel and Shammai (cf. Shabbat 14a-b) Shammai ruled that guests were to wash their hands to correct "tumat yadayim" or "impurity of hands" (cf. Ex 30, 17 and Lv 15, 11). Priests were always to wash their hands before eating consecrated meals. The Pharisees held that all meals were in a certain sense "consecrated" because of table fellowship.
In the controversies between Hillel and Shammai (cf. Shabbat 14a-b) Shammai ruled that guests were to wash their hands to correct "tumat yadayim" or "impurity of hands" (cf. Ex 30, 17 and Lv 15, 11). Priests were always to wash their hands before eating consecrated meals. The Pharisees held that all meals were in a certain sense "consecrated" because of table fellowship.
3.
Jesus' action of washing the feet of his disciples was unusual for his gesture went beyond the required laws of hospitality (washing of hands) to what was, in appearance, a menial task. The Lord's action was probably unrelated to matters of ritual purity according to the Law.
Jesus' action of washing the feet of his disciples was unusual for his gesture went beyond the required laws of hospitality (washing of hands) to what was, in appearance, a menial task. The Lord's action was probably unrelated to matters of ritual purity according to the Law.
Washing of Feet: After the homily on Holy Thursday, we imitate our master in the washing of feet. This ritual reminds us that our baptismal commitment means we are to be servants of one another. In the time of St. Ambrose in Milan, those who were baptized also had their feet washed, because of Jesus' words to Peter: "Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed" (Jn 13:10). Many scholars have seen a baptismal reference in those words.
Published: 24 April 2011
By: Sr Melissa Dwyer FdCC
By: Sr Melissa Dwyer FdCC
Canossian Sister Melissa Dwyer with children from her village in Malawi
"If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you must wash each other's feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you."
- John 13:14-15
- John 13:14-15
ONE of my favourite scripture passages has always been the story of the washing of the feet.
I think it's my favourite because it's a huge challenge from Jesus.
Many times when I reflect on this passage, I'm able to find myself as the Peter figure - having Jesus washing my feet and feeling ashamed that the Master, the one I love so much, is bending to wash my dirty feet.
Then comes the invitation from Jesus, to go and wash the feet of others with the same unconditional love with which He has washed mine.
I remember a few years ago on Holy Thursday night during Mass at St Stephen's Cathedral in Brisbane, Archbishop John Bathersby washed my feet.
This moment still remains with me as a big invitation to go and do likewise.
Yet for some reason this Lenten season, I have been looking at the feet of others while reflecting on this scripture passage.
I was struck the other day as I sat in church behind a poor woman.
She had only one shoe and it was nearly finished. And her feet were really, really dirty from walking the dusty roads.
I watched as she went for communion with her one shoe. I watched as she came back with her dirty feet.
And it was like Jesus was reminding me powerfully, these are the feet you have to wash.
As I pondered how to wash the feet of this woman without her thinking I was crazy, I realised that it sometimes only takes a smile to serve others.
I couldn't speak with her because of the language; I couldn't pretend to understand her suffering; to try to give her something would have been far too condescending. So I just smiled.
And I hope this was enough. . . . .
Sent from my iPad
--- Forwarded Message ----
From: William . . . .
To: Donald . . . .
From: William . . . .
To: Donald . . . .
Sent: Saturday, 23 April 2011, 16:01
Subject: Fw: [Blog] Washing of the feet... at what juncture
Subject: Fw: [Blog] Washing of the feet... at what juncture
Dear Father Donald,
I am caught up in Anne Marie's question, and having looked through various commentaries and texts, I come upon some interesting interpretations which I detail below. And without a knowledge of Greek I find the text of John 13:2 so variably translated. The only approach that I can manage with regard to the Greek text is in Bagster's 'The Englishman's Greek New Testament' literal translation: "And supper taking place..." which simply sets the scene! From my meandering I come away with the feeling that the washing of the feet followed the conversation at the table - whether before, during, or after the supper - rather than by way of convention, or rather lack of convention.
An interesting excursion, as always when you open up a text in your Blog!
With my love in Our Lord,
William
________
Nelson: "What was striking was that Jesus did it during, not before, the meal....The washing may follow the dispute on precedence (Luke 22:24-30)
I pondered upon this and looked up the reference in Luke: following on from the institution of the Eucharist and the questioning as to which disciple was to betray him...24 "A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest". to which Jesus gave answer, concluding 27 "For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves." This makes me wonder - was His action not then to rise from the table to demonstrate this to them?
________
NIV: "A menial task, normally performed by a servant. On this occasion there was no servant and no-one else volunteered. Jesus' action was during the meal, not upon arrival, done deliberately to emphasise a point. It was a lesson in humility, but it also set forth the principle of selfless service... John alone tells of this incident, but Luke says that in rebuking the disciples over a quarrel concerning who would be the greatest, Jesus said, "I am among you as one who serves" (Luke 22:27).
This again makes me wonder - was this action a reaction to the conversation that took place during the meal?
________
NJB: verse 2 "They were at supper": variant of verse 2: "Supper was over"
This might contradict the above considerations if the Greek translation of 'during the meal' reads 'supper was over".
But this still makes me wonder if the washing of the feet followed the conversation rather than convention / lack of convention.
________
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----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Donald . . .
To: Anne Marie . . .
Sent: Sat, 23 April, 2011 19:35:51
Subject: Fw: [Blog] Washing of the feet... at what juncture Fwd RELAY
From: Donald . . .
To: Anne Marie . . .
Sent: Sat, 23 April, 2011 19:35:51
Subject: Fw: [Blog] Washing of the feet... at what juncture Fwd RELAY
Dear Anne Marie,
Busy, busy Sacristan and and on to 10.30 on with Vigil with Blessing of the Easter Fire.
For the moment, our friend William, has picked up the baton of the Relay race on Supper feet washing.
Have a happy Vigil of the Resurrection and love to all.
Donald
PS. Easter Tuesday, just chasing the Relay Race of Supper Washing of Feet John 13:2
PS. Easter Tuesday, just chasing the Relay Race of Supper Washing of Feet John 13:2
PPS. William also "Bringing it altogether.
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Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet
2And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
Commentary on the Bible, by Adam Clarke, [1831], at sacred-texts.com
And supper being ended - Rather, δειπνου γενομενου, while supper was preparing. To support this new translation of the words, it may be remarked that, from John 13:26, John 13:30, it appears that the supper was not then ended: nay, it is probable that it was not then begun; because the washing of feet (John 13:5) was usually practised by the Jews before they entered upon their meals, as may be gathered from Luke 7:44, and from the reason of the custom. I think that John wrote, not γενομενου, but γινομενου, as in BL. Cant. and Origen, which latter reading is approved by several eminent critics, and should be translated as above. By the supper I suppose to be meant, not only the eating of it, but the preparing and dressing of it, and doing all things necessary previously to the eating of it. The devil had, before this time of the supper, put it into Judas's heart to betray his Master. SeeMatthew 26:14, etc.; Mark 14:10, Mark 14:11; and Luke 22:3, etc. See also Bishop Pearce, from whose judicious commentary the preceding notes are principally taken.
Calmet observes that John, designing only to supply what was omitted by the other evangelists, passes over all the transactions of the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, before the passion, and at once goes from Monday evening to Thursday evening. It is remarkable that St. John says nothing about the institution of the holy sacrament, which Matthew, Matthew 26:26, etc., Mark, Mark 14:22, etc., and Luke, Luke 22:19, etc., describe so particularly. No other reason can be assigned for this than that he found it completely done by the others, and that he only designed to supply their defects.
The devil having now put it into the heart - Judas formed his plot six days before this, on occasion of what happened at the house of Simon the leper: see Matthew 26:14. Calmet.
Joh 13:2 -
During supper (deipnou ginomenou). Correct text, present middle participle of ginomai (not genomenou, second aorist middle participle, “being ended”) genitive absolute. Joh_13:4 shows plainly that the meal was still going on. (Robertson’s Word Pictues)
Joh 13:2 -
Supper being ended (δείπνου γενομένου)
The most approved reading is γινομένου, the present participle, denoting while a supper was in progress. Hence Rev., rightly, during supper. The A.V. is wrong, even if the reading of the Received Text be retained; for in Joh_13:12 Jesus reclined again, and in Joh_13:26, the supper is still in progress. It should be, supper having begun, or having been served. It is important to note the absence of the definite article: a supper, as distinguished from the feast, which also is designated by a different word. (Vincent’s Word Studies).
JOHN 13
Parallel
| NJB | NRSV | KJV+TVM | UPDV |
| 2 They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. | 2 The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper | 2 And2532 supper1173 being ended1096 [5637], the devil1228 having now2235 put906 [5761] into1519 the heart2588 | 2 And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas [the son] of Simon Iscariot, to betray him, |
Young's Literal Translation
And supper being come, the devil already having put it into the heart of Judas of Simon, Iscariot, that he may deliver him up,
And supper being come, the devil already having put it into the heart of Judas of Simon, Iscariot, that he may deliver him up,
ΚΑΤΑ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΝ 13:2 Greek NT: Westcott/Hort with Diacritics
καὶ δείπνου γινομένου τοῦ διαβόλου ἤδη βεβληκότος εἰς τὴν καρδίαν ἵνα παραδοῖ αὐτὸν Ἰούδας Σίμωνος Ἰσκαριώτης,
καὶ δείπνου γινομένου τοῦ διαβόλου ἤδη βεβληκότος εἰς τὴν καρδίαν ἵνα παραδοῖ αὐτὸν Ἰούδας Σίμωνος Ἰσκαριώτης,
ΚΑΤΑ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΝ 13:2 Greek NT: Greek Orthodox Church
καὶ δείπνου γινομένου, τοῦ διαβόλου ἤδη βεβληκότος εἰς τὴν καρδίαν Ἰούδα Σίμωνος Ἰσκαριώτου ἵνα αὐτὸν παραδῷ,
καὶ δείπνου γινομένου, τοῦ διαβόλου ἤδη βεβληκότος εἰς τὴν καρδίαν Ἰούδα Σίμωνος Ἰσκαριώτου ἵνα αὐτὸν παραδῷ,
ΚΑΤΑ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΝ 13:2 Greek NT: Tischendorf 8th Ed. with Diacritics
καὶ δείπνου γινομένου, τοῦ διαβόλου ἤδη βεβληκότος εἰς τὴν καρδίαν ἵνα παραδοῖ αὐτὸν Ἰούδας Σίμωνος Ἰσκαριώτης,
καὶ δείπνου γινομένου, τοῦ διαβόλου ἤδη βεβληκότος εἰς τὴν καρδίαν ἵνα παραδοῖ αὐτὸν Ἰούδας Σίμωνος Ἰσκαριώτης,
Latin: Biblia Sacra Vulgata
et cena facta cum diabolus iam misisset in corde ut traderet eum Iudas Simonis Scariotis
et cena facta cum diabolus iam misisset in corde ut traderet eum Iudas Simonis Scariotis
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