Spoken to:
Jesus washes everyone's feet and puts in his clothes and tells them to learn what he has made for them.
KJV:
John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
NIV :
John 13:14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
LISTENERS HEARD:
If, then, I myself washed for you, those feet, "the Master" and "the Teacher," you also are obliged to wash for one another, those feet.
MY TAKE:
We are obliged to others because of our debt to the Divine.
GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page):
LOST IN TRANSLATION:
The Greek verb translated as "wash" means specifically to wash the hands or feet. We use the phrase "wash up" in a similar way. Other Greek verbs are used for washing the whole body or objects
The word translated as "master" (KJV) and "teacher" means "teacher," but the word translated as "Lord" more generally means "master." Both of these words are in the form of a subject and preceded by an article. When a noun in the form of a subject has no verb, the verb "to be" is assumed. So this is more like "he is the teacher" and "he is the lord" making Jesus more special than "a teacher" or "a lord."
The word translated as "ought" really means "to owe a debt," which in ancient Greek is the same as having an obligation. This idea of obligation as debt is very strong in all of Jesus's teaching, but it is often filtered out in translation. We see this in the Lord's Prayer where "debt" and "debtors" are changed to "trespass" and "trespassers." Christianity doesn't emphasize "debts" and "mistakes" as Jesus did, preferring to emphasize "sin."
What Jesus is saying here is that by washing their feet, he created a debt. This is what he was referring to earlier (John 13:7 ) when he said that Peter did know what Jesus was creating in washing his feet. In creating a debt, they are obligated to pay it back. The way that they must do this is to wash up one another's feet.
# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES:
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "you" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "lord" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "master" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "master" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "feet" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "yourselves" is not shown in the English translation, but it is needed to capture the pronoun as well as the form of the verb.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "ought" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "feet" is not shown in the English translation.
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES:
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "you" doesn't exist in the source.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "now that" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "if" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "then" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "your" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "lord" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "teacher" is not shown in the English translation.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "feet" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "yourselves" is not shown in the English translation, but it is needed to capture the pronoun as well as the form of the verb.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "should" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "feet" is not shown in the English translation.
EACH WORD of KJV :
If - The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever." -- The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. When citing a fact with a declarative verb instead of one of possibility, the sense is more "since" or "as sure as."
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
then, -- The Greek word translated as "therefore" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative, "then," "therefore." Jesus uses it to respond positively to questions, but in parables, it can continue the story. This adverb follows the "if" so the sense is "if so.'
your -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "your" here in the Greek source.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
Lord: -- The word translated as "master" is the same word that is often translated as "Lord" or "the Lord" in the NT. It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family." It is the specific terms for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Christ, even though he had no formal authority. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief." For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master."
and - -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
Master -- (CW) "Master" is translated from a Greek word that means "teacher," and "trainer." It is usually translated as "Master" in the Gospels, but the main sense is always "teacher." The Greek word often translated as "Lord" means "Master" in the sense of one in charge of others.
have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
washed - The word translated as "washed" means "wash," and "wash off." It is usually applied to hands, feet, and face. Another Greek word means to bathe the whole body. It is the simple past, something not completed.
your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the genitive case. This pronoun proceeds the article, "of you,"
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
feet; -- The word translated as "feet" refers to human feet, birds's talons, and trampling things.
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."
also-- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
ought- (CW) "Ought" is from a Greek verb that means "to owe," "to have to pay," and "to account for." It does not mean "
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. It is the simple past, something not completed.
one another - "One another" is from a special adjective that means "one another."
's - The apostrophe "s" comes from the noun's genitive form. This case usually requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession for which an apostrophe "s" can be substituted. However, it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
feet. - -- The word translated as "feet" refers to human feet, birds's talons, and trampling things.
EACH WORD of NIV :
Now that-- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "now" in the Greek source.
missing "if" -- (MW) The untranslated word"if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever." -- The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. When citing a fact with a declarative verb instead of one of possibility, the sense is more "since" or "as sure as."
missing "then" -- (MW) The untranslated word "then" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative, "then," "therefore." Jesus uses it to respond positively to questions, but in parables, it can continue the story. This adverb follows the "if" so the sense is "if so.'
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
your -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "your" here in the Greek source.
Master -- (CW) "Master" is translated from a Greek word that means "teacher," and "trainer." It is usually translated as "Master" in the Gospels, but the main sense is always "teacher." The Greek word often translated as "Lord" means "Master" in the sense of one in charge of others.
and - -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
Lord: -- The word translated as "master" is the same word that is often translated as "Lord" or "the Lord" in the NT. It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family." It is the specific terms for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Christ, even though he had no formal authority. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief." For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master."
and - -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
Teacher-- "Teacher" is translated from a Greek word that means "teacher," and "trainer." It is usually translated as "Master" in the Gospels, but the main sense is always "teacher." The Greek word often translated as "Lord" means "Master" in the sense of one in charge of others.
have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
washed - The word translated as "washed" means "wash," and "wash off." It is usually applied to hands, feet, and face. Another Greek word means to bathe the whole body. It is the simple past, something not completed.
your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the genitive case. This pronoun proceeds the article, "of you,"
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
feet; -- The word translated as "feet" refers to human feet, birds's talons, and trampling things.
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."
also-- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
should - (CW) "Should" is from a Greek verb that means "to owe," "to have to pay," and "to account for." "Should" is usually used for translating a verb of possibility, a subjunctive.
wash - (WF) 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. It is the simple past, something not completed. This is an infinitive, not an active verb.
one another - "One another" is from a special adjective that means "one another."
's - The apostrophe "s" comes from the noun's genitive form. This case usually requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession for which an apostrophe "s" can be substituted. However, it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
feet. - -- The word translated as "feet" refers to human feet, birds's talons, and trampling things.
COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV :
εἰ [90 verses](conj) "If" is ei, which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect questions, "whether." It also means "if ever," "in case," and "whenever." In citing a fact, it can mean "as sure as" or "since." It is combined with various conjunctions to create derivative conditions. When appearing as εἰ δὲ (literally, "if however") the sense is "if this...then that". The construction εἰ οὖν has the sense of "if so."
οὖν [82 verses](adv) "Then" is oun, which means "certainly," "in fact," "really," "in fact," "so" and "then" (continuing a narrative), and "then" and "therefore."
ἐγὼ [162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and for myself.
ἔνιψα [5 verses](verb 1st sg aor ind act) "Have washed" is from nipto, which means specifically "to wash hands or feet," and generally "to clean", "to purge," and "to wash off."
ὑμῶν [168 verses](pron 2nd pl gen) "Your/you" is humon, the plural possessive form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." It is either a possessive pronoun or the object of a preposition.
τοὺς [821 verses](article pl masc acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -
πόδας [19 verses](noun pl masc acc)"Foot" is pous, which means a "foot," "a talon [of a bird]," and the concept of "to trample" or "to tred upon."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κύριος, [92 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Lord" is kyrios, which means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family."
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."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
διδάσκαλος [10 verses](noun sg masc nom) ""Master" is didaskalos, which means "teacher," "master," "trainer," and "producer."
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."
ὀφείλετε [5 verses](verb 2nd pl pres ind act) "Ought" i is opheilô, which means "to owe," "to have to pay," "to be bound to render," "to be bound," "to be obliged," and "to account for."
ἀλλήλων [14 verses] (adj pl masc gen) "One another" is allelon, which means "one another," "to one another," "mutually," and "reciprocally."
νίπτειν [5 verses](verb pres inf act) "To wash" is from nipto, which means specifically "to wash hands or feet," and generally "to clean", "to purge," and "to wash off." - 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.
τοὺς [821 verses](article pl masc acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πόδας [19 verses](noun pl masc acc)"Foot" is pous, which means a "foot," "a talon [of a bird]," and the concept of "to trample" or "to tred upon." -- The word translated as "feet" refers to human feet, birds's talons, and trampling things.
Wordplay:
A play on the reversal of "Teacher and Master" making it "Master as Teacher."