John 13:4 (WEB)
arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist.
Catechism · 1
“Knowing that the hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father, in the course of a meal he washed their feet and gave them the commandment of love.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Jn 13:1-17; 34-35.
Fathers and councils · 25
Cyril of Jerusalem
“For Jesus the King when about to become our Physician, girded Himself with the linen of humanity, and healed that which was sick.” — editor's note: Ib. xiii. 4.
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Ambrose of Milan
“…sin, and a curse, that for me and in me was He humbled and made subject, that for me He is the Lamb, the Vine, the Rock, the Servant, the Son of an handmaid, knowing not the day of judgment, for my sake ignorant of the day and the hour.” — editor's note: S. Mark x. 45; S. John xiii. 4, 5; Ps. lxxxvi. 16; cxvi. 14; S. Luke i. 38.
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Augustine of Hippo
“…when He was speaking of strength, he added, “He is girded:” that thou mayest remember how thy God was girded in humility, when He washed His disciples’ feet. …After He had washed their feet, again He sat down; He said unto them, “Ye call me Lord and Master: and ye say well; for so I am.” — editor's note: John xiii. 4–15.
Read the whole comment“And now, in that, when about to go forth unto His Passion, He washed the feet of His disciples, and most openly taught them to do for their fellow-disciples and fellow-servants this, which He their Lord and Master had done for them; how greatly did He commend humility?” — editor's note: John xiii. 1–17
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John Chrysostom
“Ver.” — the author cites it
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Tertullian
“…the cup of water offered to a poor (child); recruits His strength at a well; walks over the water; willingly crosses the sea; ministers water to His disciples.” — editor's note: John xiii. 1–12.
Read the whole comment“If, also, He exercised no right of power even over His own followers, to whom He discharged menial ministry; if, in short, though conscious of His own kingdom, He shrank back from being made a king, He in the fullest manner gave His own an example for turning coldly…” — editor's note: See John xiii. 1–17.
Read the whole comment“…a couch, and when He presents a basin for the feet of His disciples, and when He pours water into it from a ewer, and when He is girt about with a linen towel—a garment specially sacred to Osiris.” — editor's note: John xiii. 1–5.
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Gregory of Nazianzus
“Do you conceive of Him as less because He girds Himself with a towel and washes His disciples, and shows that humiliation is the best road to exaltation; because He humbles Himself for the sake of the soul that is bent down to the ground, that He may…” — editor's note: John xiii. 4, 5.
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Catena Aurea on John
- Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on John
Our Lord being about to depart out of this life, shews His great care for His disciples: Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on John
The Jews had many feasts, but the principal one was the passover; and therefore it is particularly said, Before the feast of the passover.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
Pascha is not a Greek word, as some think, but Hebrew: though there is remarkable agreement of the two languages in it. The Greek word to suffer being πασχεῖν, pascha has been thought to mean passion, as being…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
He did not know then for the first time: He had known long before. By His departure He means His death. Being so near leaving His disciples, He shews the more love for them: Having loved His own which were in the…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
He loved them unto the end, i. e. that they themselves too might pass out of this worlda, by love, unto Him their head. For what is unto the end, but unto Christ? (Rom. 10:4) For Christ is the end of the law for…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
The Evangelist inserts this as if in astonishment: our Lord being about to wash the feet of the very person who had resolved to betray Him. It shews the great wickedness too of the traitor, that even the partaking of…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
The Evangelist being about to relate so great an instance of our Lord’s humility, reminds us first of His lofty nature: knowing that the Father had given all things into His hand, not excepting the traitor.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on John
He knew that He had even His persecutors in His hand that He might convert them from malice to love of Him.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on John
The Father hath given all things into His hands; i. e. into His power; for His hands hold all thingsb: or to Him, for His work; My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. (John 5:17)
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
Had given all things into His hand. What is given Him is the salvation of the believers. Think not of this giving up in a human way. It signifies His honour for, and agreement with, the Father. For as the Father hath…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
Knowing too, that He was come from God, and went to God; not that He left God when He came, or will leave us when He returns.
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on John
The Father having given up all things into His hands, i. e. having given up to Him the salvation of the faithful, He deemed it right to shew them all things that pertained to their salvation; and gave them a lesson…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
Since the Father had given all things into His hands, He washed not His disciples’ hands indeed, but their feet; and since He knew that He came from God, and went to God, He performed the work not of God and Lord,…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
It was a thing worthy of Him, Who came from God, and went to God, to trample upon all pride; He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garment, and took a towel, and girded Himself. After that He poureth water into a…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on John
Mystically, dinner is the first meal, taken early in the spiritual day, and adapted to those who have just entered upon this day. Supper is the last meal, and is set before those who are farther advanced. According…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
He laid aside His garments, when, being in the form of God, He emptied Himself; He girded. Himself with a towel, took upon Him the form of a servant; He poured water into a bason, out of which He washed His…
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Cross-references · 7
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on John 13:1–5 (2) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in John Chrysostom on John 13:1–5 (3) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in The Chaplet, or De Corona Chapter 8.
Cited together in The Chaplet, or De Corona Chapter 8.
Cited together in The Chaplet, or De Corona Chapter 8.
Cited together in Origen on John 13:1–5 (2) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Origen on John 13:1–5 (Catena Aurea).