Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
Jesus saith to him, He that is washed, х leloumenos (G3068)] - not in the partial sense denoted by the word used for the washing of the feet, but in the complete sense denoted by the word here used, signifying to wash the entire person; as if we should render it, 'he that is bathed:'
Needeth not - to be so washed anymore; needeth no such washing a second time.
Save to wash, [ nipsasthai (G3538 )] his feet - that is, 'needeth to do no more than wash his feet;' the former word being now resumed.
But is clean every whit, х katharos (G2513) holos (G3650)] - 'clean as a whole,' or entirely clean. This sentence is singularly instructive. Of the two cleansings, the one points to that which takes place at the commencement of the Christian life, embracing complete absolution from sin as a guilty state, and entire deliverance from it as a polluted life (Revelation 1:5; 1 Corinthians 6:11) - or, in the language of theology, Justification and Regeneration. This cleansing is effected once for all, and is never repeated. The other cleansing, described as that of "the feet," is such, for example, as one walking from a bath quite cleansed still needs, in consequence of his contact with the earth. (Compare Exodus 30:18-19.) It is the daily cleansing which we are taught, to seek, when in the spirit of adoption we say, "Our Father which art in heaven-forgive us our debts;" and, when burdened with the sense of manifold shortcomings-as what tender heart of a Christian is not?-is it not a relief to be permitted thus to wash our feet after a day's contact with the earth? This is not to call in question the completeness of our past justification. Our Lord, while graciously insisting on washing Peter's feet, refuses to extend the cleansing further, that the symbolical instruction intended to be conveyed might not be marred.
And ye are clean - in the first and whole sense, but not all, х all' (G235) ouchi (G3780) pantes (G3956)] - 'yet not all;'