John 13:10 He that is washed needeth not

Spoken to: 

Apostles

Jesus begins washing the Apostle's feet at the Last Supper. Jesus tells Peter this is necessary for them to continue together.  Peter says also his hands and his head.

KJV: 

John 13:10 He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

NIV : 

John 13:10 Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”

LISTENERS HEARD: 

The one bathing doesn't have a need to wash up, except the feet. Instead, he is clean, whole, and you yourselves are clean, except certainly not all.

MY TAKE: 

A clean whole is not all.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

There is a lot of humor here. The KJV is an attempt at a translation while the NIV is only a paraphrase, at best. There are two different Greek verbs translated in the KJV as "wash" here, but the NIV only translate one as a verb. The first verb means to wash the entire body and Jesus uses it only here. The "whole" a the end of the first sentence emphasizes it.  In English, this is the idea of bathing. The second, the one used in the previous verse, means to wash your hands. In the previous verse, Jesus addressed Peter, but here he addresses all the Apostles, using the plural "you," which in English looks like the singular "you." This makes the meaning of the final "all" a lot clearer and more of a "punchline." The punchline plays on the ending of the first part, meaning "whole." It is singular. The ending of the verse is the plural "all." The punchline is set up by an exaggerated negative lost in translation which means "certainly not." This sets up, the "all" at the end.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

9
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "is" is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "has been."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "wash" is not the same word translated as "wash" below or in the previois verse.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "has" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "needs" is not an active verb but a noun, "need."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "his" should be something more like "the."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
  • MW -- Missing Word  -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "you yourself."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" does not capture the specific meaning of the word, which is more extreme.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

18
  • WN  - Wrong Number- The word "those" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "who" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "has" should be something more like "is."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "a" cannot be added before a verb.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "bath" is not a noun, but an active verb, "bathe."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "has" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "need is not an active verb but a noun, "need."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "only" should be something more like "if nit."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "not" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "their" should be something more like "the."
  • WN  - Wrong Number- The word "their" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "body" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "except" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "though" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
  • MW -- Missing Word  -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "you yourself."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "though" is not the common word usually translated as "though."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" does not capture the specific meaning of the word, which is more extreme.WN  - Wrong Number- The word "believe" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
  • WN  - Wrong Number- The word "one" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural, "all."

EACH WORD of KJV : 

He   -- The word translated as "he" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

that -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.

is --(WT) This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. This verb could also be the middle voice, "washes himself." However, the verb is the past perfect so "have been" would be correct.

washed -- (CW) The first Greek word translated as "washed" means to wash the entire body. In English, this is the idea of bathing. This is not the same word translated as "wash" in the previous verse or later in this one.

missing "has"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "has" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "have means to do,"  "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as the helper verb does in English. Nor does it has the sense of "must" when used with infinitives.

needeth  -- (WF)The word translated as "needs" means "need" and "poverty," but it also means "familiarity" and "intimacy." It is a noun not a verb.

not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. 

save - Two Greek words are translated as "save." Literally, they mean "if not" but this phrase is used to mean "except," "instead," and "but."

to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.

wash - The word translated as "wash" means "wash," and "wash off." It is usually applied to hands, feet, and face. Another Greek word means to bathe the whole body (see above.)

his -- (WW) The word translated as "his" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

feet, -- The word translated as "feet" refers to human feet, birds's talons, and trampling things.

but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."

is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.

clean -- The Greek word translated as "clean" means "physically clean," "spotless," "free of contamination," "clear of debt," "genuine," "pure of birth," "without blemish," and "sound."

every whit: -- The word translated as "every whit" means something that is "complete" or "the whole" of something, and can mean "the whole universe" as well as being "safe and sound" in being kept "whole." It is used as an adverb, which can mean "wholly," "really," "entirely," or "generally speaking."

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

ye-- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It is plural.

missing "yourselves"  ---- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "you yourselves."

are -- The verb "are" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. -- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."

clean, -- The Greek word translated as "clean" means "physically clean," "spotless," "free of contamination," "clear of debt," "genuine," "pure of birth," "without blemish," and "sound."

but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."

not --  (CW) The word translated as "not" is a different form of the usual Greek negative of fact meaning "no truly," "assuredly not," "not however," "nevertheless," and "notwithstanding." This word can have a reversing effect, making a negative into a positive, with questions. Used in questions where an affirmative answer is expected. Used in answers where a "yes" must be supplied. Perhaps best translated as an "isn't it?" at the end of the sentence.  The fact that ancient Greek has no clear verb form for questions makes interpreting it difficult.

all. -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."

EACH WORD of NIV : 

Those -- (WN) The word translated as "those" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

who -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "who" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.

have -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.

had -- (WW) This helping verb "had" should be "is" to indicate that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. This verb could also be the middle voice, "washes himself."

-- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "a" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as a noun.

bath -- (WF) The first Greek verb translated as "bath" means to wash the entire body. In English, this is the idea of bathing. It should be a passive verb "is bathed."

missing "has"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "has" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "have means to do,"  "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as the helper verb does in English. Nor does it has the sense of "must" when used with infinitives.

need -- (WF)The word translated as "needs" means "need" and "poverty," but it also means "familiarity" and "intimacy." It is a noun not a verb.

only -- (WW) Two Greek words are translated as "only." Literally, they mean "if not" but this phrase is used to mean "except," "instead," and "but." It does not mean "only."

missing "not"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause.

to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.

wash - The word translated as "wash" means "wash," and "wash off." It is usually applied to hands, feet, and face. Another Greek word means to bathe the whole body (see above.)

their -- (WW, WN) The word translated as "his" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.

feet, -- The word translated as "feet" refers to human feet, birds's talons, and trampling things.

missing "except"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "except" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."

their -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "their" in the Greek source.

whole -- The word translated as "who" means something that is "complete" or "the whole" of something, and can mean "the whole universe" as well as being "safe and sound" in being kept "whole." It is used as an adverb, which can mean "wholly," "really," "entirely," or "generally speaking."

body -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "body" in the Greek source.

is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.

clean -- The Greek word translated as "clean" means "physically clean," "spotless," "free of contamination," "clear of debt," "genuine," "pure of birth," "without blemish," and "sound."

And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

you -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It is plural.

missing "yourselves"  ---- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "you yourselves."

are -- The verb "are" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. -- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."

clean, -- The Greek word translated as "clean" means "physically clean," "spotless," "free of contamination," "clear of debt," "genuine," "pure of birth," "without blemish," and "sound."

though -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "though" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this." CW - Confusing Word -- The "though" is not the common word usually translated as "but."

not --  (CW) The word translated as "not" is a different form of the usual Greek negative of fact meaning "no truly," "assuredly not," "not however," "nevertheless," and "notwithstanding." This word can have a reversing effect, making a negative into a positive, with questions. Used in questions where an affirmative answer is expected. Used in answers where a "yes" must be supplied. Perhaps best translated as an "isn't it?" at the end of the sentence.  The fact that ancient Greek has no clear verb form for questions makes interpreting it difficult.

every -- The word translated as "every" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."

one -- (WN) This word is not singular but plural.

of you. (CW) These words do not exist in the source, but they are implied.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

[821 verses](article sg masc nom)  "He" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").

λελουμένος [1 verse](part sg perf mp masc nom) "That is washed" is from luou, which "to wash", "to wash the body", "to bathe," and is a metaphor for "to purify."

οὐκ [269 verses](partic) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences.  The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.

ἔχει [181 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "He hath" is echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to have due to one," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to hold in," "to bear," "to carry," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." In aorist, it can mean "acquire," or "get." The main sense when it has an object is "to have" or "to hold." It can also mean "to without" or "keep back" a thing. 

χρείαν  [13 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Need of" is  chreia, which means "need," "want," "poverty," "a request of a necessity," "business," "military service," "a business affair," "employment," "familiarity," "intimacy," and "maxim."

[εἰ μὴ [14 verses](conj particle) "Save" is ei me, which is the conjunction that means "if not," "but," and "except." εἰ is the particle use with the imperative usually to express conditions "if" or indirect questions, "whether." (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no."

τοὺς [821 verses](article pl masc acc)  "His" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

πόδας] [19 verses](noun pl masc acc)"Feet" is pous, which means a "foot," "a talon [of a bird]," and the concept of "to trample" or "to tred upon."

νίψασθαι, [5 verses](verb aor inf mid) "To wash" is from nipto, which means specifically "to wash hands or feet," and generally "to clean", "to purge," and "to wash off." 

ἀλλ᾽ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "instead," "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."

ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative.

καθαρὸς [5 verses](adj sg masc nom) "Clean" is katharos, which means "physically clean," "spotless," "clear," "pure (water)," "clear of objects," "free of contamination," "clear of debt," "genuine," "pure of birth," "without blemish," and "sound."

ὅλος: . [23 verses](adj sg masc nom) "Whole" is holos, which means "the whole," "entire," "complete," "complete in all its parts" and "the universe." As an adverb, it means "wholly," "altogether," "entirely," "on the whole," "speaking generally," "utter," "actually," and "really."

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

ὑμεῖς [92 verses](pron 2nd pl nom) "You" is hymeis (humeis), which is the plural nominative form of the second person, "you."

καθαροί [5 verses](adj plmasc nom) "Clean" is katharos, which means "physically clean," "spotless," "clear," "pure (water)," "clear of objects," "free of contamination," "clear of debt," "genuine," "pure of birth," "without blemish," and "sound."

ἐστε, [614 verses](2nd pl pres ind act) "Are" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative.

ἀλλ᾽ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "instead," "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."

οὐχὶ [23 verses](adv) "Not" is ouchi, an adverb which means "no," "no truly," "assuredly not," "not however," "nevertheless," "notwithstanding," "yet," "still," "never yet," "for not," "indeed," "for surely not," "no,—certainly not," "for I don't suppose," and "for in no manner." Sometimes it is used to create negative questions where a positive answer is expected.

πάντες. [212 verses](adj pl masc nom) "All" is pas, which means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether."

Wordplay: 

 A play of the idea of being entirely clean but not being all clean 

Related Verses: 

Front Page Date: 

Sep 1 2022