Message to Sardis; Where the Reformation Failed

Washing and Bathing (John 13:5-11) (REV37)

Two Greek Words

νίπτω (nip-to) means a partial washing; a ‘sponge bath.’ Here it is used to describe the fellowship with God that the believer maintains by confessing sin (1 John 1:9).

λούω (loo-o) means to thoroughly wash the whole body, to bathe. Here it is used to describe the one-time washing of salvation.

The Text of John 13:5-11

Then He poured water into the basin, and began to ^wash [νίπτω] the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

And so He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash [νίπτω] my feet?” 

Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you shall understand ^hereafter.” Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash [νίπτω] my feet!”

Jesus answered him, “^If I do not wash [νίπτω] you, ^you have no part with Me.” 

Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” 

Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed [λούω] needs only to wash [νίπτω] his feet, but is completely clean [καθαρός]; and ^you are clean, but not all of you.” 

For ^He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.”