What Does John 13:8 Mean in the King James?
Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The share Peter wants with Jesus comes through the washing he refuses.
THE MEANING
Jesus names a direct condition for sharing life with him: he must wash you. The washing is an act you receive, and through it you have a share with him.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the belief that you can share fully with Jesus while refusing his cleansing; he says that without it, you have no part with him.
THE ROOT
μέρος
meros
GROWS FROM
μερ
A share, portion, or part.
English “part” can sound like a fragment or a role. The Greek μέρος (meros, share or portion) frames Peter’s place with Jesus as a share he receives through Jesus’ washing.
ALSO GROWS
merizō: To divide or distribute.
μερίζω
The related verb carries the idea of portions being apportioned, sharpening the sense of “part” as a share.
meris: A portion or share.
μερίς
This related noun makes clear that having a part with Jesus means having a share with him.
νίπτω
niptō
GROWS FROM
νιπ
To wash, especially a part of the body such as the hands or feet.
English uses “wash” for both a footwashing and a whole-body bath, but Greek distinguishes them. Here Jesus uses νίπτω (niptō, wash a part of the body); the next verse contrasts it with λούω (louō, bathe the whole body).
ALSO GROWS
niptēr: A washing basin.
νιπτήρ
John 13:5 uses this related word for the basin Jesus takes to wash the disciples’ feet.
aponiptō: To wash off.
ἀπονίπτω
This related verb is used when Pilate washes his hands in Matthew 27:24, keeping the washing action visible while its object changes.
THE PATTERN
The cleansing that restores a share in life is received from God, not earned through human work.
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;THE THREAD
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.The next verse distinguishes λούω (louō, bathe the whole body) from νίπτω (niptō, wash a part of the body) when it contrasts being bathed with washing the feet. That distinction makes the footwashing specific while keeping Jesus’ words about Peter’s share connected to receiving his care.
This reading is from Selah Verse.
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