The Practice of Footwashing in the Bible

1.   

     

Footwashing was standard practice for first century culture in light of the dry climate. Since most people traveled by foot, wore sandals, and eating necessitated close proximity to each other, the standard practice was to wash the guests’ feet as they entered the house. “To wash the feet of one’s guests was common hospitality, the breach of which was a serious affront” (Lk. 7:44)[1]  The task of washing feet was usually reserved for a servant. It was considered such a debasing act that even (some) “Jews insisted that Jewish slaves should not be required to was the feet of others; this job should be reserved for Gentile slaves, or for women and children and pupils.”[2]

    In one sense (according to Carson[3]), the disciples were already culturally conditioned to think the task of Footwashing was demeaning (see Peter’s objection to Jesus in Jn. 13:6). They did not volunteer for the task and they were “shocked at his volunteering.” But the Master was determined to teach them a lesson in humility, a display of love, while also displaying symbolic “saving cleansing and a model for Christian conduct.”[4] Carson says, for the most part the shock of the inappropriate role assumption by Jesus (taking on the duties of a servant), caused them to be embarrassed and silent (p. 463), but Peter voiced his objection (possibly on behalf of them all). Of the many things they could not comprehend that went against their preunderstandings of Messiah, this was yet another confounding moment.

 Contemporary Applications:

• .       Footwashing, was an act of condescension on the part of our Lord towards his disciples, and by extension toward us.  The Lord stooped low (a position unbecoming of him, a “self-abasing love”[5]) to serve his subjects. This serves as a model for others’ consideration (Christian conduct), and the executing of the law of love.
•        The physical act of washing the dirt off the subject’s feet is symbolic of the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. Conversion requires the spiritual washing away of sins through faith in Christ Jesus. 
•       The “washing” by Christ is a once for all act, dismissing the contemporary notions of multiple baptisms related to church membership.

---

[1] Andreas J. Köstenberger, Encountering John: The Gospel in Historic, Literary, and Theological Perspective, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 132.

[2] D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John, (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. E. Publishing Company, 1991

[3] Carson, John, 461.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.