13:4a
So He got up from the supper: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as got up from the supper means “stood up.” Jesus and his disciples were reclining around a low table. (See the note and picture at 12:2.) Now Jesus stood up. It is not necessary to mention a table if it is not natural in your language. For example:
he got up from the meal (New International Version)
General Comment on 13:3a–4a
It was because Jesus knew who he was, his true status and position, that he acted as he did. Here are ways to show this connection:
Because Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, he got up from the meal… (NET Bible)
-or-
Jesus knew that the Father had given him complete power; he knew that he had come from God and was going to God. So he rose from the table… (Good News Translation)
13:4b
laid aside His outer garments: Jesus took off his outer clothing, which was a robe (cloak). He still had his inner clothes on. He was dressed like a slave ready to serve, not like an important man.
A literal translation of the Berean Standard Bible may imply that Jesus wore two robes and he only removed the outer one. You may want to avoid this wrong understanding by following one of these examples:
took off his robe (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
took off his outer clothing (New International Version)
-or-
removed his outer clothes (NET Bible)
13:4c
and wrapped a towel around His waist: This phrase tells what Jesus did in order to free his hands for washing. Translate this phrase in a way that is natural in your language.
a towel: This phrase probably refers to a long piece of linen cloth. It was long enough that Jesus could wrap it around his waist and use the loose end to dry his disciples’ feet.
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