In the first century and before, “feet” or “the foot” served many purposes. It could be used in a demeaning way. A conqueror was usually depicted as having his foot on the neck of the conquered.  To go barefoot in public might be an indication of mourning, especially if you were wealthy and typically wore sandals.  As we might say, “Where is your restroom?” they might indicate the same need was cared for by the expression of “covering the feet.”  The feet could be used to indicate disgraceful rejection of responsibility.   (A relative was to marry a deceased, childless relative’s wife and continue the dead man’s lineage. A refusal of that responsibility gave the living relative the name of “The house of him whose sandal is removed”—see Deuteronomy 25:5-10 and Ruth 4:7-12.  Feet could be used as a disgraceful sign of rejection (shaking the dust off your feet).  The feet could be used to indicate the learning of a disciple as he submitted to the knowledge of a teacher (to sit at the feet of).

Care for a visitor’s feet was a necessary and understood act of hospitality (consider Luke 7:44).  People commonly walked to destinations.  At best they walked in sandals.  Roadways or paths were commonly unpaved.  Many roads or paths had stones or garbage (such as bones from things eaten) in them.  Socks had not been invented.  By our standards, the sandals were poorly made.

People arrived with—at best—tired, dirty feet. If the journey was long (a few miles), the traveler’s feet might be bruised or cut.  Taking care of one’s feet was critical.  A common act of hospitality was to have water available to wash the person’s feet, or, if you were wealthy, to have water available with a servant who washed the traveler’s feet.  Remember, there was no running water or hot water, but carried water!

Washing feet was considered a lowly task. Commonly, foot washing was a slaves’ work (though occasionally a superior’s feet might be washed as a sign of respect—such as a disciple for a respected teacher). Typically, the youngest and least experienced slave washed feet. It truly was a task for the lowest of the low!

There are records of one of lower position washing the feet of one of higher position, but no records of one of high position washing the feet of someone lower than he—until we encounter Jesus’ act.  When Jesus took off his robe and tied the cloth around him to dry the washed feet, Jesus looked like a slave, not a Master!  The scene was shockingly inappropriate!  Jesus even washed Judas’ feet after Judas had decided to betray Jesus!  One can imagine the uneasy silence that fell on the twelve as they participated in the grossly inappropriate. 

So shocking was the scene that they did not know what to say or do! Then Jesus came to Simon Peter, the man who said something even when he should have said nothing! His immediate reaction was refusal: “Are YOU going to wash MY feet?” or, as we might say, “Whoa!  This is not going to happen!”

Jesus said two things to him: (a) “You will understand later,” and (b) “If I do not wash you, you have no part with me.”  In (b) Jesus said that if he did not wash Peter’s feet, their relationship was over.

Peter then said he wanted Jesus to wash more than his feet.  Jesus said he did not need a bath.  There is much more involved here than cleaning dirty feet!  There was the cleansing of receiving an act of humility as well as taking dirt from feet.  Were these twelve not the men who argued shortly before about which one was the greatest (see Luke 22:1, 3-6, 24)?

There were crushed egos in this happening as well as a huge dose of the meaning of humility.  Jesus, the Master, did what they all were unwilling to do.  Jesus was willing to be an example of what he taught them about significance and God’s values!  There was more than “outside” dirt involved on this occasion!

Only a unique God would demonstrate His values in a slave’s work!

For Thought and Discussion

1. List some of the purposes “feet” or “foot” served in the first century and before.

2. What two things made caring for a visitor’s feet important?

3. Why might feet be bruised or cut when a visitor arrived?

4. Depending on the prosperity of the host, what might be provided?

5. Washing feet was considered what?  Whose work was it?

6. There is no record of what happening?

7. When Jesus prepared to wash his disciples’ feet, he looked like what, not what?

8. When did Jesus wash Judas’ feet?

9. What was Peter’s first reaction?  What was his second reaction?

10. What two things did Jesus say to Peter?

11. What two things occurred in this event?

12. Jesus, the Master, did what?

13. Only a unique God would demonstrate what?

Link to Teacher's Guide Lesson 9

Copyright © 2009
David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ

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