For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

JOHN 13:11KJV
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John 13:11 (KJV)

What does John 13:11 mean?

John 13:11 explains that Jesus knew which of his disciples would betray him, and that is why he said not all of them were clean. The verse points out that Jesus had full awareness of the coming betrayal even as he spoke to his closest followers.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to his disciples during the Last Supper, just after washing their feet. He tells them that not all are "clean," referring to spiritual purity rather than physical cleanliness. The verse clarifies that Jesus is alluding to Judas Iscariot, who would soon betray him, and shows that Jesus was not surprised by what was about to happen.

The Greek behind John 13:11

  • ἔγνω (knew, transliterated as "egnō"): This Greek word means to know or to be aware. Here, it emphasizes Jesus' complete understanding of his disciples' hearts and intentions.
  • παραδώσει (betray, transliterated as "paradōsei"): This word means to hand over or betray. Its use highlights the seriousness of Judas's upcoming action and the personal nature of the betrayal.
  • καθαροί (clean, transliterated as "katharoi"): This word means clean or pure. Jesus uses it to speak about spiritual purity, not just outward cleanliness, making clear that one among them is not spiritually right.

Why John 13:11 matters

  • John 13:11 clears up that Jesus' statement about not all being clean was not about physical dirt but about the spiritual state of his followers, specifically pointing to Judas.
  • The verse shows that Jesus was not caught off guard by Judas’s betrayal; he was fully aware and in control of the situation.
  • This detail connects to the larger theme in John’s Gospel of Jesus’ foreknowledge and his willingness to face betrayal as part of his mission.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“not” Greek G3780 · used in 54 verses

  • Matthew 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
  • Luke 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
  • 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

“are” Greek G2075 · used in 88 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • John 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
  • 1 Corinthians 9:2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

“betray” Greek G3860 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
  • Mark 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
  • John 19:16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.