Riseth] The disciples had been disputing (Luke 22:24) which of them should be accounted greatest, and, as we gather from Christ's rebuke (Luke 22:27), not one of them would serve at supper, for fear of being thought inferior to the others. Jesus, therefore, after waiting a little for one of them to offer, rose Himself. Not content with waiting at table, which might upon occasion be done by a person of good position (John 12:2), He washed their feet, the function of a slave. Feet-washing took place before a banquet, and was occasionally omitted, though its absence might be remarked (Luke 7:44). St. John's account supplements St. Luke's by recording the symbolical act by which our Lord enforced His words, 'I am among you as he that serveth' (Luke 22:27).

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