Now, having washed the disciples' feet, He said, "I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." In these words Christ was not merely enjoining the practice of hospitality. More was meant than the washing of the feet of guests to remove the dust of travel. Christ was here instituting a religious service. By the act of our Lord this humiliating ceremony was made a consecrated ordinance. It was to be observed by the disciples, that they might ever keep in mind His lessons of humility and service.

Nu, hvor han havde tvættet disciplenes fødder, sagde han: "Det var et forbillede, jeg gav jer, for at I skal gøre, ligesom jeg har gjort ved jer." Det var ikke blot udøvelse af gæstfrihed, Jesus indskærpede dem med disse ord. De betød mere end blot fodtvætning af gæster for at fjerne rejsestøvet. Kristus indstiftede her en hellig tjeneste. Gennem vor Herres handling blev denne ydmygende ceremoni gjort til en indviet forordning. Den skulle overholdes af disciplene, for at de altid skulle kunne bevare mindet om hans lære i ydmyghed og tjeneste.