John Chapter 13 · Verse 3

Authorized King James Version

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Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

Original Language Analysis

εἰδὼς knowing G1492
εἰδὼς knowing
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 1 of 22
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 2 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦς Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 3 of 22
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὅτι that G3754
ὅτι that
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 4 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
πάντα all things G3956
πάντα all things
Strong's: G3956
Word #: 5 of 22
all, any, every, the whole
δἔδωκεν had given G1325
δἔδωκεν had given
Strong's: G1325
Word #: 6 of 22
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτῷ his G846
αὐτῷ his
Strong's: G846
Word #: 7 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατὴρ the Father G3962
πατὴρ the Father
Strong's: G3962
Word #: 9 of 22
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
εἰς into G1519
εἰς into
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 10 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὰς G3588
τὰς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρας hands G5495
χεῖρας hands
Strong's: G5495
Word #: 12 of 22
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 13 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅτι that G3754
ὅτι that
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 14 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἀπὸ from G575
ἀπὸ from
Strong's: G575
Word #: 15 of 22
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
θεὸν God G2316
θεὸν God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 16 of 22
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐξῆλθεν he was come G1831
ἐξῆλθεν he was come
Strong's: G1831
Word #: 17 of 22
to issue (literally or figuratively)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 18 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πρὸς to G4314
πρὸς to
Strong's: G4314
Word #: 19 of 22
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 20 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸν God G2316
θεὸν God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 21 of 22
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὑπάγει went G5217
ὑπάγει went
Strong's: G5217
Word #: 22 of 22
to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively

Analysis & Commentary

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands (εἰδὼς ὅτι πάντα δέδωκεν αὐτῷ ὁ πατὴρ εἰς τὰς χεῖρας)—The participle "knowing" (εἰδώς/eidōs) indicates Jesus's full consciousness of His authority. The Father had committed "all things" (πάντα/panta)—universal authority—into Christ's hands. This echoes Matthew 28:18: "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Jesus acts from a position of absolute sovereignty.

And that he was come from God, and went to God (καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ θεοῦ ἐξῆλθεν καὶ πρὸς τὸν θεὸν ὑπάγει)—Jesus's full awareness of His divine origin and destination frames the foot-washing. He who came from God's throne stoops to wash dirty feet; He who will return to glory serves as a slave. This is the ultimate statement of divine humility.

The contrast is stunning: Satan fills Judas's heart with betrayal (v.2); the Father fills Jesus's hands with authority. Judas uses proximity to Jesus for evil; Jesus uses divine authority for service. This sets up the foot-washing as the incarnation in miniature—the Lord of glory becoming a servant.

Historical Context

In first-century culture, foot-washing was performed by the lowest household servants or slaves. For a rabbi to wash his disciples' feet was unthinkable—a complete reversal of social hierarchy. Yet Jesus, knowing His divine authority, deliberately chooses the servant's role. This embodies Philippians 2:6-8: Christ, "being in the form of God," took "the form of a servant." John places this scene where the Synoptics place the Last Supper institution, suggesting the foot-washing interprets the cross—voluntary self-humbling for others' cleansing.

Questions for Reflection