13:5a

After that: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as After that introduces what Jesus did next. Here is another way to translate this word:

Next

He poured water into a basin: Jesus poured water from a large container into a smaller container or basin.

basin: This word refers to a container to carry water in and pour water from. It was likely a clay pot. Here are other ways to translate this word:

washbasin (NET Bible)
-or-
bowl (New Century Version)

13:5b

and began to wash the disciples’ feet: The job of washing other people’s feet was considered a humble and unpleasant one. It was normally done by women, children, or Gentile slaves.

wash: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wash refers to the removal of dirt from the body.

the disciples’ feet: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disciples’ refers to learners in a learner-teacher relationship. The learner follows his teacher in order to learn from him and live according to his teaching and example.

Here are some ways to translate “disciple”:

learner/student
-or-
follower

For more information on how to translate the term “disciple” see 1:35b in the Notes. Also see disciple in Key Biblical Terms. Here it may be natural to make it explicit that these were Jesus’ disciples. For example:

his disciples (New International Version)

13:5c

and dry them: The pronoun them refers to the disciples’ feet. Jesus wiped them with the towel in order to dry them. Here is a way to make that clearer:

drying them (New International Version)

with the towel that was around Him: This is the towel Jesus had wrapped around his waist (13:4c). Identify this towel in a way that is natural in this context.

While the Berean Standard Bible translates this clause as active, it is passive in Greek, and in some languages it may be more natural to translate it as passive. There are several ways to translate this:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

the towel that was wrapped around him (New International Version)

• Use an active verb. For example

the towel he was wearing (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the towel he had wrapped around himself (NET Bible)

• Use an expression that does not include a verb. For example:

around his waist (Good News Translation)

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