13:15a

The Greek begins this verse with a conjunction that means “because.” It introduces the reason why the disciples should wash one another’s feet. Here are some ways to translate this conjunction:

Because
-or-
The reason that I did this

I have set you an example: This clause indicates that Jesus had shown his disciples how they should behave. He acted in the way that he wanted them to act. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

For I have given you an example (English Standard Version)
-or-
I have given you an example to follow. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I did this as an example (New Century Version)

you: The pronoun you is plural and refers to all the disciples.

an example: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as example here means pattern or way of life to be imitated. Jesus showed the disciples what to do by doing it himself. He had washed their feet to give them an example of humility and service. This was an example or demonstration of how they should act/behave. Jesus wanted them to follow his example and serve each other. That was more important than actually washing feet, although it was a good way to serve others at that time,

13:15b

so that you should do as I have done for you: This clause indicates that Jesus wanted the disciples to act as he had done. He had served them in a humble way, and he wanted them to serve one another in the same humble way. So it does not just refer to washing feet, although that could be included. Here are other ways to translate this clause

so that you may copy what I have done to you (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
that you should follow (God’s Word)
-or-
you should do the same to each other (Contemporary English Version)

The Greek has a word that many English versions translates as “also.” In some languages it may be necessary or natural to translate the word explicitly. For example:

you also should do as I have done to you (New Revised Standard Version)

as I have done for you: In some languages the words for you may imply something negative. In those languages you may want to make clear that Jesus did something to benefit the disciples. For example:

as I helped/served you

General Comment on 13:15a–b

In some languages it may be natural to translate this verse as two sentences. For example:

I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. (New Living Translation (2004))

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