[The Bible is an “Eastern” book.  It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.]

If you went to your friend’s house and you were greeted at the door by something like, “Hi!  I’m glad you’re here.  Come on in, take off your shoes, and I’ll wash your feet,” you would probably wonder what in the world was going on!

I went to a friend’s house once, right after they got new carpet, and for awhile, they insisted that all guests take their shoes off before walking on their new carpet.  However, they never once offered to wash my feet.

The Last Supper

A lot of people are familiar with a foot washing incident that occurred during what is commonly called, “the last supper.”  This event took place shortly before Jesus was arrested.  And, while some understand the lesson regarding service, many fail to see an even greater impact that the lesson can have.

In the lands and times of the Bible, people wore sandals and walked on dusty roads.  It was, therefore, very common to have your feet washed upon entering a friend’s house.

Who’s Job Was It?

The servant that would perform this lowly task was usually the lowest servant in the household.  However, an exception to that was if the guest was someone of great importance, someone with a very high rank in society.  On those occasions, it was the master of the house who would wash the feet.

In the Bible culture, if the master of the house washed your feet, it was his way of recognizing that you were a very important person. It was an extremely high compliment.

What A Lesson!

When Jesus washed the feet of his disciples that night, he was not only teaching them humility and service, but he was also teaching them about love.  They knew that their own social status did not deserve that kind of treatment. That is why Peter objected and refused to have Jesus wash his feet.

When you look at the Scriptures through an “eastern eye,” many details and truths become apparent.  And isn’t it just something that right before he was about to suffer and die for the whole world, Jesus Christ treated his disciples like they were royalty?

John 13:4-17
He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

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.

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

So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

It really is quite a lesson, isn’t it?

Mike Verdicchio

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For other posts just click “The Eastern Eye” tab above.

There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)