Peace057 – What is the purpose of the washing of the feet? Is it a religious ritual of the Jews?

Question

During the Last Supper, Jesus performed a new rite – the washing of the feet of His disciples (John 13:4-17). Jesus said He had given them an example that has to be done. I do not know of any Rabbi who washed the feet of his followers in any Jewish festival or religious rite.

What do you think is the purpose of this washing of the feet? Do Jews have similar ritual? Which among Christian churches perform this?

Answer 1

some of the previous answers are close but they miss the mark, Jesus at the passover meal, did what the servant did. As "guest" would come into a home, the Host would have his servant was the dust from the feet of the guest. This was just the way it was done. People walked, and your feet got dirty, the servant who did the washing, was kinda at the bottom of everything. You really could not get much lower in society. When the apostles came in to the upper room for the Passover meal, Jesus took the towel the bowl and washed the feet of the disciples, he did this to show, that we his followers are no better than he was, and if he came to serve, we also should serve, we should not be expecting others to wait on us, but we should humble ourselves, and do WHATEVER needs to be done. As he said, If I your master have done so, then so should you.

In today's world it is a sign of humbling ourselves to the task that God sits before us.

Answer 2

There is no such Jewish ritual that I have ever been made aware of (past or present). That does not mean I am an expert or that one did not exist but I think it was something created. If in fact there was a Jesus and he did wash someone's feet then it was something he came up with on his own. I think the purpose was to show he was not above anyone or something along those lines but I am not a Christian so I may have the idea behind it wrong.
I know Mennonites preform this ritual. I have a Mennonite friend. I don't know of any other groups but I am sure there must be some.

Answer 3

Yes, Jesus did do this, and it has a symbolic meaning also. The emphasis is servanthood , (a spiritual cleansing) not only a model of service, but it represents the ultimate in service....forgiveness of sins. The practical action of it was an example of love to his disciples. This ritual is performed at my church on a regular basis; I am Christian, with no denomination. I am not sure if it is performed in Temple with old school Jews, but Messianic Jews still perform this ritual also.Good question!

Answer 4

Washing the feet of people entering a house was an ancient custom performed by slaves for a hygienic purpose. It was made a religious ritual by Jesus to teach the virtues of humility and service that should be interiorized by those given authority especially in the Church.

Answer 5

Since people traveled mostly by foot in Jesus time, and the roads were not paved, it was customary for a gracious host to have guest's feet washed. Imagine you had been slogging through the mud of recent rains, mixed on the unpaved street with horse, donkey, sheep, goat, and camel manure! You'd appreciate it would you not?

This was considered a lowly duty for a servant to perform. Jesus was using this ritual to teach us humility.

I think most Christian churches have at least one 'foot washing' ceremony per year.

Answer 6

Let me see... I think feet washing is mentioned twice in the (Jewish) bible.

1. Abraham has guests. He insists they sit down, wash their feet, have a nice meal, etc.
In other words, it's a social nicety.

2. The Temple priests (kohanim) would wash their hands and feet before services.
That washing was a religious requirement.

I'd say that, if foot-washing was common among Jews two thousand years ago, it probably had to do more with reason #1. Like the other answerers said, the roads were dusty back then, and it was probably nice to get the grit out of your toes.

Answer 7

In eastern lands, the use of open sandals made it necessary to wash one's feet frequently. It was common courtesy for a host to arrange to have a slave wash the feet of his guests. Here Jesus, the divine Host, became the slave and performed this lowly service. Peter said that the sight of God in the role of a servant is disturbing. Jesus actually performed this act as a picture of spiritual cleansing. Taking a bath would be comparable to one's salvation. All is cleansed. Washing the feet only requires a basin. The basin speaks of cleansing from the pollution of sin we encounter daily and must take place continually through the Word of God. There is one bath but many footwashings.
I am not aware of any churches practicing foot washing.

Answer 8

When I was in college, we did this at a bible study held at the Baptist Student Union. It is a little awkward to do in a large group, so I doubt that any church does it on a regular basis. This is seen as a metaphor for helping your neighbor whenever there is a need.

I agree with most people that this was apparently a new custom. I was told that most people kept a wash basin near the door of their home so that people could wash their feet before they came in. Some rich people may have had one of their servants do it, as a way to pamper themselves.

Jesus did the act of a servant, to show that those who lead should do so as an act of service, and to make an example of humble servantude for all of us.

Answer 9

Washing the feet, or more correctly "anointing" the feet with oil was an act of respect and affection.

It also was a very necessary practice as in hot climates - wearing sandals, the skin of the feet crack.

This can lead to serious illness' and other problems.

Answer 10

Some churches still do this, it is an act of servanthood, of being humble, remember when Jesus said he that is greatest among you must be servant of all. Remember what Peter said, wash my head too, if we would just let Jesus make servants out of us, we could change the world. The churches that I know that do this at the passover or easter as most people know it.