Jesus washed the disciples' feet to picture the daily cleansing a believer needs after already being made clean at salvation.
In John 13:10 Jesus says a washed man is clean every whit and only needs his feet washed, because he walks through a defiling world. Les Feldick relates this to the tabernacle laver, where priests washed hands and feet after already having bathed. Judas was excluded from the "clean" group because Jesus knew he would betray Him.
John 13:6-10 — This is the direct account of Jesus washing Peter's feet and explaining that a washed person needs only his feet cleansed.
During the Last Passover, Jesus "poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded" (John 13:5). When He came to Peter, Peter objected, and Jesus told him, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter." Peter refused, saying, "Thou shalt never wash my feet," but Jesus replied, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." Peter then asked Jesus to wash not only his feet but also his hands and his head. Jesus answered, "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). The Scripture immediately records that Jesus said this because He knew who should betray Him. The Bible does not add a lengthy explanation of the symbolism; it simply shows that only Judas was not clean.
Les Feldick opens the door of the tabernacle to explain Jesus' actions. The priest had already taken a complete bath before beginning his ministry, but when he came to the brazen altar to offer sacrifice he would stop at the laver of cleansing. It was made of looking-glass, filled with water, so the priest could see what needed washing before he proceeded. In John 13, Jesus washes the disciples' feet for the same reason: the disciples had been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, but living in a sin-filled earth defiles their daily walk, and their feet need washing. Peter did not understand at the moment. He first refused, then asked for a whole bath. Jesus corrected him: "He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet." Les says the lesson is foot-washing—daily cleansing from defilement, not another bath of salvation. The disciples were clean except Judas, whom Jesus knew would betray Him.
Les compares the priest at the tabernacle. The priest had already taken the complete bath that began his ministry, yet after making sacrifice at the brazen altar he would stop at the laver of cleansing to wash his hands and feet. The purpose was not another bath, but to cleanse what had become defiled. In John 13, Jesus makes the same point: "He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet." A believer is already clean spiritually, but in daily life his feet—his walk through a sinful world—get dirty and need repeated cleansing.
Peter thought Jesus had no business stooping to wash the disciples' dirty feet (John 13:6). When Jesus said that without the washing Peter would have no part with Him, Peter overreacted and asked Jesus to wash his whole body. Les notes Peter was notorious for putting his foot in his mouth; he had not yet grasped that he was already clean and only needed his feet washed.
Jesus said to the disciples, "ye are clean, but not all" (John 13:10). Jesus knew which one would betray Him. Les identifies that one as Judas, the twelfth man. The others, including Peter, had been washed—they were saved—but Judas was not clean.
No. Les emphasizes that the disciples were not cleansed by water but by the blood of the Lamb. Once that cleansing has taken place, the daily foot washing is the picture of dealing with defilement from living in a sin-filled world. It is not a second bath of salvation.
The Laver of Cleansing
Les describes the tabernacle's laver of cleansing, where priests who had already bathed would wash their hands and feet and check themselves in the brass mirror before proceeding to service; this is the background he uses for Jesus' foot washing.
Peter's Objection and the Lesson of Defilement
Les connects Peter's objection—and his request for a full bath—to Jesus' answer: the disciples were already saved, but daily life in a sin-filled world defiles them, so their feet need washing. That, Les says, is the whole lesson of foot washing.
Peter's 'Give Me a Bath' Response
Les retells Peter's refusal and his overreaction ("give me a bath") to show Peter did not yet realize he was already clean and only his feet needed washing.
The Setting of the Foot Washing
Les sets the scene: just before His crucifixion, Jesus pours water into a basin, washes the disciples' feet, and tells Peter that he will understand later.
Washed by the Blood, Not Water
Les gives the central point: the disciples had been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, and while they did not need another bath, their feet became dirty as they walked through dusty streets and needed washing.
Why Peter Objected
Les explains Peter's objection: he felt the Lord should not condescend to wash their dirty feet, and Jesus told him he would understand later.
Judas Was Not Clean
Les shows Jesus' detailed answer—a washed man is clean every whit except for his feet—and identifies Judas, whom Jesus knew would betray Him, as the one who was not clean.
Cleansed by an Act of God, Not Water
Les emphasizes that scriptural cleansing is not by water but by an act of God; this is why the disciples could be called washed even though Christ was washing their feet with water.
John 13:5: 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.
This sets the scene for the entire foot-washing lesson.
John 13:6: Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter said unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
Peter's immediate objection to Jesus' act of servanthood.
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.
Jesus links the washing to having a 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.
Jesus' key explanation that a washed man only needs his feet washed.
John 13:11: For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
This explains why Judas was not clean.
Yes, according to Les, believers are clean because they have been washed by the blood of Christ. But the daily walk in a defiling world gets their feet dirty, and that is what Jesus pictured by washing only the feet.
When Jesus said, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me," Peter overreacted and said, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." Les shows Peter misunderstood the lesson: he had already been cleansed and did not need another bath.
In the tabernacle, the laver of cleansing was where priests washed hands and feet before continuing their service. It reflected their need like a mirror. Les sees this as the Old Testament counterpart to Jesus' foot washing—a picture of daily cleansing, not initial salvation.
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