John 13:15 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For I have given you an example,— "I have set you a pattern of humility, to recommend that indispensably necessary grace to you:" and it must be acknowledged, that nothing shews us more effectually the necessity of this grace, than its being recommended to us by so high an example—a recommendation, which in the present circumstances was peculiarly seasonable; for the disciples having heard Jesus say, that the kingdom of God was at hand, (Luke 22:18.) their minds were so fired with ambitious passions, that, before they arose from supper, they fell into a hot contention about sharing the principal posts in the kingdom. It may be proper to observe, that these words have been understood, as ordaining this to be a continued rite among Christians. But though some anciently conceived the practice to be thus enjoined, and the Moravian churches still retain it; yet, as no such rite as this has ever generally prevailed in the Christian world, and as, in many places and circumstances, it would be an inconvenience, rather than a kindness, to do it for our friends; the words of our Lord, so plainly capable of another and more important sense, are not to be interpreted with so much strictness. Our Lord designed to teach his disciples the great lesson of humble love, as well as toconfer inward purity upon them; and hereby he teaches us, first, in every possible way to assist each other in attaining that purity: secondly, to wash each other's feet, by performing all sorts of good offices to each other; even those of the lowest kind, when the necessity of any calls for them. See the publication entitled The Religious Ceremonies, &c. vol. 1: p. 417 where may be seen into what a farce this ceremony of washing the feet is turned on some occasions.