ἔρχεται οὖν πρὸς Σίμωνα Πέτρον· λέγει αὐτῷ, Κύριε, σύ μου νίπτεις τοὺς πόδας;
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
During the translation of the New Testament into Huixtán Tzotzil, translation consultant Marion Cowan found that questions where the answer is obvious, affirmative rhetorical questions, as well questions raising objections tended to cause confusion among the readers. So these are rendered as simple or emphatic statements.
Accordingly, John 13:6 reads “Lord, I don’t want you to wash my feet.”
Source: Marion Cowan in The Bible Translator 1960, p. 123ff.
Following is a Armenian Orthodox icon of Peter (found in the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shusha, Azerbaijan).
Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )
Following is a hand colored stencil print on momigami of Peter by Sadao Watanabe (1970):
Image taken with permission from the SadaoHanga Catalogue where you can find many more images and information about Sadao Watanabe. For other images of Sadao Watanabe art works in TIPs, see here.
In Finnish Sign Language it is translated with the sign signifying “key” (referring to Matthew 16:19). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)
“Peter” or “Cephas” in Finnish Sign Language (source )
In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “rock,” referring to the meaning of the Greek word for “Peter.”
“Peter” in Swiss-German Sign Language, source: DSGS-Lexikon biblischer Begriffe , © CGG Schweiz
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .
See also Peter – rock.
Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Peter .
Click here to see the image in higher resolution.
Image taken from the Wiedmann Bible. For more information about the images and ways to adopt them, see here .
For other images of Willy Wiedmann paintings in TIPs, see here.
Following is a contemporary tempera/gouache on leather painting by an unknown Ethiopian artist:
Source: Sacred Art Pilgrim website .
Following is a painting by Chen Yuandu 陳緣督 (1902–1967):
Image is housed in the Société des Auxiliaires des Missions Collection – Whitworth University and taken from Chinese Christian Posters . For more information on the “Ars Sacra Pekinensis” school of art, see this article , for other artworks of that school in TIPs, see here.
Following is a painting by Ketut Lasia (b. 1945):
Ketut Lasia is one of the last traditional Balinese painters in the Ubud style. As an adult, Lasia converted from Hinduism to Christianity, and he paints primarily biblical scenes. You can find artwork from Ketut Lasia in a variety of formats for sale at Fine Art America .
See also Wash Each Other’s Feet.
Following are a number of back-translations of John 13:6:
Some argue that Simon Peter was the first to have his feet washed and others that he was the last. On the basis of Jesus’ reply in verse 10 (All of you are clean—all except one), the evidence seems to favor Simon Peter’s being the last. In Greek who said to him begins a new sentence, but Good News Translation makes it into a subordinate clause (note Revised Standard Version “He came to Simon Peter; and Peter said to him….”).
Are you going to wash…? (so also Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible) is literally “are you washing…?” But in the present context the verb seems to suggest an action not yet initiated, rather than an action in progress. In the Greek text both pronouns (you … my) are emphatic.
Since the words of Simon Peter are a question directed to Jesus, it is often better to indicate this fact by the choice of the preceding verb, for example, “who asked him, Are you going to wash my feet?”
In most languages any form of direct address such as Lord must appear at the beginning, rather than at the end of the question, for example, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Since what Peter is asking about is Jesus’ intent, rather than about a future action, it may be more satisfactory to translate “Do you intend to wash my feet?” or “Is it your plan to wash my feet?”
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 .
Paragraph 13:6–11
Peter did not want Jesus to serve him in this way. Jesus told him that he needed to allow Jesus to wash his feet if he wanted to follow Jesus. Peter then asked Jesus to wash his hands and head as well as his feet.
13:6
He came to Simon Peter: Jesus was moving around the circle of his disciples, washing each person’s feet. He reached Simon Peter (who is often just called Peter). See the note about Simon Peter in 1:40a–b and how you translated the name there.
who asked Him: The pronoun who refers to Peter. Peter spoke to Jesus. He asked him a rhetorical question, so in some languages it may be natural to indicate a question. For example:
who/Peter asked him
Lord, are You going to wash my feet?: This is a rhetorical question. It is used to show surprise as well as to give a polite rebuke. The Greek emphasizes the pronouns You and my. Peter was saying that he did not think Jesus should wash his feet. He did not want Jesus to act like a slave and do this humble task.
There are at least two ways to translate this surprise and rebuke:
• Use a rhetorical question. For example:
You, Lord, washing my feet? (Revised English Bible)
• Use a statement. For example:
Lord, you should not be washing my feet.
-or-
Lord, you must not wash my feet!
Translate this surprise and rebuke in the way that is most natural in your language.
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