13:14a

So if I, your Lord and Teacher: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible has translated as So if is more literally “if therefore” and means “because.” For example:

Because I, your Lord and Teacher…

The Greek text emphasizes the word I to make a contrast with the word “you” in 13:14b.

have washed your feet: It would be extremely unexpected for a Lord or Teacher to wash his disciples’ feet. Yet that is exactly what Jesus did. If Jesus could do this very humble act, then the disciples could do the same thing to each other (see 13:14b). That would involve a smaller amount of humility. The Greek text emphasizes the pronoun your to indicate a contrast with “one another’s” (also emphasized) in 13:14b.

13:14b

you also should wash one another’s feet: The Greek text emphasizes the words you and one another’s to indicate a contrast with “I” and “your” in 13:14a. Jesus tried to persuade the disciples by going from the greater to the lesser (smaller). If he (their Lord and Teacher) could wash their feet (the greater), then they could surely wash each other’s feet (the lesser). Translate this way of persuading in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

If it is proper for me, your teacher and master, to wash your feet, then you ⌊who obey and learn⌋ must also wash each other’s feet.

General Comment on 13:14a–b

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

I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another’s feet. (Good News Translation)

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