The word translated washbasin does not appear elsewhere in Greek literature; its meaning is uncertain, but most translations have “basin.” It can be argued that the word means “pitcher,” since in the ancient Near East peoples’ feet were not generally washed in a basin of standing water but by pouring water over the feet from a pitcher. The picture would be as follows: The disciples were on couches, reclining on their left sides, and using their right arms to reach into the dishes that were on the table, or tables, placed in front of the couches. Jesus poured water into “the pitcher” (the Greek has the definite article “the,” suggesting that it was a particular vessel used specifically for that purpose) and then went around behind the couches, where the disciples’ feet were stretched out behind them. There he poured water from the pitcher over their feet and dried them with the towel wrapped around his waist.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .