Ver. 1. That he should depart, &c.] This definition of death, saith Calvin, pertains to the whole body of the Church. It is to the saints no more than a passage to the Father, an inlet to eternal life. Whether a Christian’s death be a burnt offering (of martyrdom), or a peace offering (of a natural death), whether it be by a sudden change, as Elijah’s, or a lingering sickness, as Elisha’s, it is a sweet sacrifice ascending to God, as Manoah’s angel ascending in the smok e. This made Basil, when the emperor’s lieutenant threatened to kill him, cry out, ειθε γενοιτο μοι, I would he would; for so should he soon send me to my heavenly Father, to whom I now live, and to whom I desire to hasten, προς ον επειγομαι πορρωθεν. (Bas il.) This made Veleurio, a Dutch divine, when he lay upon his death bed, break out into these sweet words (Joh. Manli. loc. com.), Pater est Amator, Filius Redemptor, Spiritus Sanctus Consolator; quomodo itaque tristitia affici possim? The Father loves me, the Son redeemed me, the Holy Ghost comforts me; how then can I be cast down at the approach of death? And the like triumphant words were uttered to me by my late reverend good friend and father, Mr John Jackson, pastor of Binton, in Warwickshire, when he lay dying, and laid his last charge upon me, to preach Christ, who had swallowed up death in victory. To the end he loved them] Such fast friends are hard to find. φιλος ευμεταβλητον ζωον, A friend is a very changeable creature, saith Plato; as soon on and as soon off again; as soon in and as soon out, as Joab’s dagger was; clear at the top and muddy at the bottom, as ponds are; white at the waxing of the moon, and black at the waning of it, as the fish scolopidus in the river Araxis is said to be. Andronicus, the Greek emperor, whom but yesterday he had used most kindly, and enrolled among his best friends, upon them today he frowned and tyrannized most cruelly; so that you might have seen, saith the historian, the same man the same day (as is reported of Xerxes’s admiral) to be crowned and beheaded, to be graced and disgraced. So of Tiberius and Mahomet, the first emperor of the Turks, it is said, that in their love there was no assurance; but their least displeasure was death. Christ, whom he loves once he loves ever, and though we break often with him, yet he abides faithful, 2 Timothy 2:13, and his foundation standeth steady, having this seal, “The Lord knoweth them that are his,” 2 Timothy 2:19.
Ver. 2. The devil having now put] He is likely at one end of every temptation to sin; as the hand of Joab was in the tale of the woman of Tekoah. He rubs the firebrand of evil concupiscence, and makes it send out sparkles.
Ver. 3. Jesus knowing, &c.] This is prefaced to the washing of his disciples’ feet, to show that he did it not rashly, or out of baseness of spirit, as forgetting the dignity of his person and place, as Ahaz did, 2 Kings 16:7, and those, Isaiah 57:9, and David also in the court of Achish. There is a το πρεπον, a comeliness to be kept in every condition.
Ver. 4. He riseth from supper] So the rite of the Paschal supper required; as Beza showeth in his annotations upon Matthew 26:20.
Ver. 5. After that he poureth water, &c.] So doth the pope once a year in an apish imitation of our Saviour. As likewise, when he is new elected, in his solemn Lateran procession, he takes copper out of his chamberlain’s lap, and scatters it among the people, and (lie and all) saith, “Silver and gold have I none.” (Dr Hall on Matthew 5:20)
Ver. 6. Then cometh he to Peter] He came first to him (for the former verse sets forth his intent rather than his act of washing). And yet St Chrysostom tells of some that would needs have it, that he began with Judas. Like as the Papists say that our Saviour appeared first, after his resurrection, to the Virgin Mary; though the text be plain that he first showed himself to Mary Magdalene. These are like him in Aristotle, that thought that everywhere he saw his own shape and picture going before him.
Ver. 7. But thou shalt know hereafter] Different degrees of knowledge are bestowed at several times. Our hearts are like narrow mouthed vessels; but then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord, Hosea 6:3, and take heed that we leak not, Hebrews 2:1.
Ver. 8. Thou shalt never wash my feet] This was an immoderate modesty, a proud humility; so is it in them that refuse gospel comforts, because they are unworthy, Domine, non sum dignus, at sum indigens, said Pomeran. Tibi adest ninia humilitas, Thou hast too much humility, said Luther to Staupicius. So the Baptist was as much to blame in refusing to baptize Christ (Matthew 3:14) as Peter here to be washed by him. Luther said of Melancthon’s self-denying humility, Soli Deo omnia deberi tam obstinate asserit, ut mihi plane videatur in hoc saltem errare, quod Christum ipse fingat longius abesse cordi sue quam sit revera: Certe nimis nullus in hoc est Philippus. Philip is worse conceited of himself than is fit.