John 13:9

9 Simon Peter said unto Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head."

John 13:9 Meaning and Commentary

John 13:9

Simon Peter saith unto him
Being convinced of his mistake in not submitting to Christ, fearing he should he deprived of communion with him, than which nothing was more desirable to him, or more highly esteemed of by him, says,

Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head;
which shows the sense he had of the general pollution of his nature, and the need he stood in particularly of having his feet, hands, and head washed both as a minister, and a believer. By his "feet" may be meant, either the grace of faith, which is the foot of the soul, by which it goes to Christ, and walks on in him, and was not without its imperfections; or the affections of the mind, which are that to the soul, as feet are to the body; and when they move right, move heavenward, Godward, and Christward; but sometimes they are inordinate, and cleave to the things of this world: or the outward life and conversation is meant, which is attended with daily infirmities; and each of these need washing in the blood of Christ. His "hands" may design all his actions, works, services, duties, and performances, the hand being the instrument of action; and not only the hands of wicked men, but even of saints, need washing, their best righteousnesses being as filthy rags. By his "head" may be meant doctrines and principles imbibed in the mind, and expressed by the lips, which were not free from mistake and pollution, and needed purging and cleansing; for the disciples were not as yet clear from the prejudices of the Jewish nation, especially relating to the nature of the Messiah's kingdom.

John 13:9 In-Context

7 Jesus answered and said unto him, "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter."

8 Peter said unto Him, "Thou shalt never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me."

9 Simon Peter said unto Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head."

10 Jesus said to him, "He that is washed needeth not but to wash his feet, but is clean every whit. And ye are clean, but not all."

11 (For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "Ye are not all clean.")