Another cause of dissension had arisen. At a feast it was customary for a servant to wash the feet of the guests, and on this occasion preparation had been made for the service. The pitcher, the basin, and the towel were there, in readiness for the feet washing; but no servant was present, and it was the disciples' part to perform it. But each of the disciples, yielding to wounded pride, determined not to act the part of a servant. All manifested a stoical unconcern, seeming unconscious that there was anything for them to do. By their silence they refused to humble themselves.

Der var også opstået et andet stridsspørgsmål. Det var ved et festmåltid skik og brug, at en tjener vaskede gæsternes fødder, og der var ved denne lejlighed truffet forberedelser til denne tjeneste. Kanden, fadet og håndklædet var der, parat til fodvaskningen; men der var ingen tjener til stede, og det var disciplenes pligt at udføre den. Men enhver af disciplene gav efter for sin sårede stolthed og besluttede ikke at ville optræde som tjener. Alle udviste de en stoisk ligegyldighed og syntes ganske uvidende om, at der var noget, de burde gøre. Ved deres tavshed nægtede de at ydmyge sig.