Jesus said this because Peter was not yet able to understand the spiritual significance of the footwashing, but he would understand later when God revealed it.
At the Last Supper, when Peter objected to Jesus washing his feet, Jesus answered, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter" (John 13:7). Les Feldick explains that Peter did not understand what Jesus was doing at that moment, but he would understand down the road. This reflects Les's teaching that God's dealings with men are progressive and that God keeps secrets until He is ready to reveal them.
John 13:7 — This is the exact verse where Jesus tells Peter, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter."
In John 13, during the last Passover before His crucifixion, Jesus rose from supper, laid aside His garments, took a towel, girded Himself, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet. When He came to Simon Peter, Peter said, "Lord, dost thou wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter" (John 13:7). Peter then said, "Thou shalt never wash my feet," and Jesus replied, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me" (John 13:8). Jesus further explained, "He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all" (John 13:10), referring to Judas, who would betray Him. The Bible records that Peter did not understand at that moment, but Jesus promised he would know hereafter. Deuteronomy 29:29 also teaches this principle: "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever."
Les Feldick emphasizes that Scripture and God's dealing with men is a progressive thing. In the footwashing account, Peter didn't understand what Jesus was doing right now, but he would "somewheres down the road." Les also teaches that God is the God who can keep secrets until He sees fit to reveal them, and He doesn't have to reveal them until He is ready in His own time. Les uses Deuteronomy 29:29 to show that "the secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong unto us." When God reveals something, the people to whom it is revealed become responsible to believe it and connect themselves with it. Peter was not yet in a position to grasp the meaning of Jesus' actions, but fuller knowledge would come in the future through God's revelation. Les also connects this to the deeper lesson of the footwashing: believers are already washed and clean in terms of salvation, but because they walk in a defiled world, they need their feet washed daily. Peter, however, did not understand this at the time Jesus spoke to him.
Peter's objection was rooted in his sense that the Lord should not lower Himself to such a humble task. Jesus' answer showed that Peter was not yet in a position to grasp the spiritual meaning of what was happening. Les Feldick says plainly: "Peter didn't understand what Jesus was doing right now, but he would somewheres down the road." This fits Les's broader teaching that God keeps things secret until He is ready to reveal them.
Jesus promised Peter, "Thou shalt know hereafter." Les Feldick shows that this future understanding is part of progressive revelation. He moves from John 13:7 to Ephesians 3 in his teaching, illustrating how God reveals more and more as history unfolds. Peter would not understand everything immediately, but the knowledge would come as God revealed it.
Les explains that the footwashing was not about salvation but about daily defilement. Jesus said to Peter, "He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit." Les teaches that believers have already been washed and cleansed, but because they walk in a sin-filled world, their feet get dirty. That is why Jesus said, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me," and why Peter's request for a full bath was unnecessary. Peter's overreaction — "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head" — showed he misunderstood the lesson.
God Keeps Secrets Until He Reveals Them
Les teaches that God is the God who can keep secrets until He sees fit to reveal them, and He does not have to reveal them until His own time.
Progressive Understanding for Peter
Les explains that Peter did not understand what Jesus was doing at the moment, but he would understand down the road, because Scripture and God's dealing with men is progressive.
Peter Objects to Footwashing
Les walks through John 13:6-9, showing Peter's refusal and his request for a full bath, and Jesus' warning that without washing Peter would have no part with Him.
Clean Except for Feet
Les contrasts those already washed with the need to wash feet, and notes that Judas was the one who was not clean.
Daily Defilement in the World
Les explains that footwashing illustrates the daily defilement of believers as they walk in a sin-filled world, not a matter of salvation.
From John 13 to Ephesians 3
Les pairs John 13:7 with Ephesians 3, showing that fuller knowledge comes later through progressive revelation, such as in Paul's writings.
Setting the Footwashing Scene
Les reads John 13:4-6, showing Jesus rising from supper, taking a towel, and girding Himself to wash the disciples' feet.
Peter's Overreaction
Les notes Peter's request for a total bath, but Jesus corrected him, saying he that is washed only needs his feet washed.
John 13:7: Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
This is the key verse where Jesus tells Peter that understanding will come later.
John 13:8: Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
Shows Peter's refusal and Jesus' warning about having no part with Him.
John 13:10: 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.
Explains the difference between a full cleansing and the need for feet washing.
Deuteronomy 29:29: The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Used by Les to show that God keeps secrets until He reveals them, and revealed things belong to us.
Jesus said this because Peter was not yet able to understand the spiritual meaning of the footwashing. Les Feldick explains that Peter did not understand at that moment, but he would understand later as God revealed it.
Yes. Jesus promised, "Thou shalt know hereafter." Les Feldick teaches that understanding came progressively, and Peter would grasp the meaning down the road.
It is found in John 13:7, during the Last Supper when Jesus washed the disciples' feet.
Les teaches that a believer is already washed and clean regarding salvation, but needs daily foot-washing because of the defilement of walking through the world. This is based on John 13:10.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did God Hide Secrets in the Bible Until Now?