The disciples made no move toward serving one another. Jesus waited for a time to see what they would do. Then He, the divine Teacher, rose from the table. Laying aside the outer garment that would have impeded His movements, He took a towel, and girded Himself. With surprised interest the disciples looked on, and in silence waited to see what was to follow. "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." This action opened the eyes of the disciples. Bitter shame and humiliation filled their hearts. They understood the unspoken rebuke, and saw themselves in altogether a new light.

Der var intet, som tydede på, at disciplene ville tjene hinanden. Jesus ventede en tid for at se, hvad de ville gøre. Så rejste han, den guddommelige lærer, sig selv fra bordet. Han lagde sin kappe fra sig, fordi den ville have hindret ham i at bevæge sig, tog et håndklæde og bandt det om sig. Disciplene så til med forbavselse og interesse og afventede i tavshed, hvad der nu ville ske. "Derefter hælder han vand i vaskefadet, og han begyndte at tvætte disciplenes fødder og at tørre dem med linnedklædet, han havde bundet om sig." Ved denne handling åbnedes disciplenes øjne. Deres hjerter fyldtes af bitter skam og ydmygelse. De forstod den uudtalte irettesættelse og kom til at se sig selv i et helt nyt lys.