SEV Biblia, Chapter 13:15
Porque ejemplo os he dado, para que como yo os he hecho, vosotros tambin hagis.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 15. For I have given you an example , etc.] Christ is an example to his people, in many things; not in his miraculous performances and mediatorial work, but in the exercise of grace, of meekness, humility, love, patience, and the like; and in the discharge of duty, in submission to ordinances, and in attending on them; and in the several duties, both to them that are without, and to them that are within; and also in his sufferings and death; not that he died merely as an example, but likewise in the room and stead of his people; but here he is spoken of, as an example, in a particular instance: that ye should do as I have done to you ; wash one anothers feet, as he had washed theirs; which is not to be understood literally and singly of this action, as though this was an ordinance binding upon all persons, in all places, and to be attended to at certain stated times, as has been the practice of some: it was so understood by the church at Milain, and there practised; and this custom was continued and defended by St. Ambrose, even though not received by the church of Rome; in some places the bishop used to wash the feet of those that were baptized, which in process of time being thought sufficient, instead of baptism, was forbidden by the council at Eliberis. In imitation of this, the pope every year, on Thursday in the passion week, washes the feet of twelve men; and it is an anniversary ceremony performed by the kings of England and France, to wash the feet of twelve poor people, in commemoration of this action of Christs: but our Lord is not to be understood literally, nor of anything that was to be done once a year, but of what was daily and constantly to be practised; and which was to be done not by one only, to all the rest, but what they were mutually to do; what they were to do to one another; for the thing signified, reaches to, and is obligatory upon all Christians. Our Lords meaning is, that as he had, by this action, given them an example of humility, condescension, and love; so they should exercise these graces, and perform such kind offices to one another, and to all their fellow Christians.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-17 - Our Lord Jesus has a people in the world that are his own; he ha purchased them, and paid dear for them, and he has set them apart for himself; they devote themselves to him as a peculiar people. Those who Christ loves, he loves to the end. Nothing can separate a true believe from the love of Christ. We know not when our hour will come, therefor what we have to do in constant preparation for it, ought never to be undone. What way of access the devil has to men's hearts we cannot tell. But some sins are so exceedingly sinful, and there is so littl temptation to them from the world and the flesh, that it is plain the are directly from Satan. Jesus washed his disciples' feet, that he might teach us to think nothing below us, wherein we may promote God' glory, and the good of our brethren. We must address ourselves to duty and must lay aside every thing that would hinder us in what we have to do. Christ washed his disciples' feet, that he might signify to the the value of spiritual washing, and the cleansing of the soul from the pollutions of sin. Our Lord Jesus does many things of which even his own disciples do not for the present know the meaning, but they shal know afterward. We see in the end what was the kindness from event which seemed most cross. And it is not humility, but unbelief, to pu away the offers of the gospel, as if too rich to be made to us, or to good news to be true. All those, and those only, who are spirituall washed by Christ, have a part in Christ. All whom Christ owns an saves, he justifies and sanctifies. Peter more than submits; he begs to be washed by Christ. How earnest he is for the purifying grace of the Lord Jesus, and the full effect of it, even upon his hands and head Those who truly desire to be sanctified, desire to be sanctifie throughout, to have the whole man, with all its parts and powers, mad pure. The true believer is thus washed when he receives Christ for his salvation. See then what ought to be the daily care of those wh through grace are in a justified state, and that is, to wash their feet; to cleanse themselves from daily guilt, and to watch agains everything defiling. This should make us the more cautious. From yesterday's pardon, we should be strengthened against this day' temptation. And when hypocrites are discovered, it should be n surprise or cause of stumbling to us. Observe the lesson Christ her taught. Duties are mutual; we must both accept help from our brethren and afford help to our brethren. When we see our Master serving, we cannot but see how ill it becomes us to domineer. And the same love which led Christ to ransom and reconcile his disciples when enemies still influences him.
Greek Textus Receptus
υποδειγμα 5262 N-ASN γαρ 1063 CONJ εδωκα 1325 5656 V-AAI-1S υμιν 5213 P-2DP ινα 2443 CONJ καθως 2531 ADV εγω 1473 P-1NS εποιησα 4160 5656 V-AAI-1S υμιν 5213 P-2DP και 2532 CONJ υμεις 5210 P-2NP ποιητε 4160 5725 V-PAS-2P
Vincent's NT Word Studies
15. Example (upodeigma). On the three words used in the New Testament for example, uJpodeigma, tupov, and deigma, see on 2 Peter ii. 6; 1 Pet. v. 3; Jude 7.
