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AND supper being ended, there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter said unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do, thou knowest not now; but "thou shalt know hereafter." Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, "If I wash thee not, "thou hast no part with me." Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, "He that is washed needeth not save to "wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all." For he knew

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More properly supper being begun.

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Though Jesus knew the Father would on his ascension, restore him to supreme authority, yet he condescended to wash his disciples' feet, and thus set us an example of humility and brotherly kindness.

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His upper garment.

d I will explain my conduct hereafter. If thine heart and affection be not cleansed, thou canst not be my disciple. By the custom of wearing sandals in the Eastern countries the foot and part of the leg were much exposed to dust and dirt, and therefore required frequent washing. What 1 now do is sufficient to illustrate my doctrine.

* In heart and affection; except Judas, who is about to betray me.

who should betray him; therefore said he, "Ye are not all clean." So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, "Know ye what I have done to you? the "kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over "them; and they that exercise authority upon "them are called benefactors. But ye shall "not be so: but he that is greatest among you,

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let him be as the younger; and he that is "chief as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that 66 serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but "I am among you as he that serveth. Ye "call me Master, and Lord: and ye say well; "for so I am. If I then, your Lord and "Master, have washed your feet; ye ought "also to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as "I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say "unto you, The servant is not greater than "his lord; neither he that is sent greater than "he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.'

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* Some of the kings of Egypt assumed this title.

123. Jesus foretels that Judas would betray him. The conduct of the disciples and of Judas.

Time. A. D. 33..

"YE are they which have conti“nued with me in my temptations.* Night before" And I appoint unto you a kingthe cruci- dom, as my Father hath appointed fixion. "unto me; that ye may eat and "drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit "on thrones judging the twelve tribes of "Israel. I speak not of you all I know "whom I have chosen: but, that the scripture

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may be fulfilled,' He that eateth bread with "me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now "I tell you before it come, that, when it is "come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that re"ceiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me; " and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that "sent me.'

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When Jesus had thus said, (the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him ;) he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, “ Verily, verily, say unto you, That one of you shall betray 66 me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? Now

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In my trials and sufferings.

b Strive not for the honours of this world: you shall be exalted to the highest in the next.

• Psalm xli. 9.

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there was leaning' on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, "He it is, to whom "I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. "The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: "but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that "man if he had not been born.' And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him," That thou doest, do quickly." Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man

The Roman custom at meals, (and it was adopted by the Jews) was to lye on couches, supporting themselves on the left elbow, so that the head of one was against the bosom of the person who was next above him.

St. John the Evangelist.

• Made signs to John to ask Jesus privately.

d Jesus answered privately to John.

c Or morsel.

f Is about to die in the manner the scriptures have foretold.

Took possession of his heart.

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"glorified, and God is glorified in him. If "God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway. glorify him. Little children, yet a little "while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: " and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, "that ye also love one another. By this shall all "men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have "love one to another."

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124. Jesus foretels to the Apostles the fall of Peter and their common danger.

SIMON Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, "Whither I

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go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou "shalt follow me afterwards." Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Then saith Jesus unto them, "All ye shall be of"fended because of me this night; for it is "written, I will smite the shepherd, and the

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sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. "But after I am risen again, I will go before 66 you into Galilee." Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon, behold, "Satan hath desired to have you, that he may "sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for

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Ready to enter into glory through the gates of death. b Zech. xiii. 7.

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