Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

JOHN 13:10KJV
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John 13:10 (KJV)

What does John 13:10 mean?

John 13:10 records Jesus telling Peter that someone who has already bathed only needs to wash their feet to be completely clean, and then adds, “and ye are clean, but not all.” Jesus is saying that the disciples are already clean, but not every single one of them.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to Peter during the Last Supper after Peter objects to Jesus washing his feet. The verse uses the act of washing as a picture for being made clean in a deeper sense. Jesus points out that most of the disciples are “clean,” but hints that one among them is not—referring to Judas, who would later betray him.

The Greek behind John 13:10

  • “washed” (λελουμένος, leloumenos): This word means someone who has bathed all over, not just a quick rinse. Jesus uses it to show a difference between being fully cleansed and just needing a touch-up.
  • “clean” (καθαρός, katharos): This word means pure or free from impurity. Jesus uses it to describe the spiritual state of the disciples, not just their physical cleanliness.
  • “not all” (οὐχὶ πάντες, ouchi pantes): This phrase makes it clear that Jesus is including everyone present except one, highlighting that Judas is not spiritually clean like the others.

Why John 13:10 matters

  • John 13:10 helps clear up that Jesus is not just talking about physical washing, but about a deeper spiritual cleansing.
  • The verse signals to the reader that not everyone who follows Jesus outwardly is truly “clean” on the inside, setting up the coming mention of Judas’s betrayal.
  • This verse connects the act of foot washing to a larger lesson about forgiveness, belonging, and what it means to be truly part of Jesus’s group.

Where else these words appear

“washed” Greek G3068 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 9:37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
  • Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
  • 2 Peter 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

“wash” Greek G3538 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
  • John 9:11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
  • John 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

“clean” Greek G2513 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
  • Acts 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
  • James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

“needeth” Greek G5532 · used in 47 verses

  • Matthew 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
  • Luke 19:34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
  • Philippians 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.