Structural Outlines of John 13-17

Structural Outlines of the Fourth Gospel
by Rev. Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

The Last Supper in John's Gospel (13:1–17:26)

The Washing of the Feet (13:1-30)
The Last Supper Discourse (13:31–16:33)
The Prayer of Jesus (17:1-26)

[full NAB text] [see related art]

O) 13:1-30 - The WASHING of the FEET: An Example of Love and Service [see chiastic sub-structure below]

A) 13:31-38 - Discourse Introduction: Jesus gives a new Love Commandment, and foretells Peter's Denials

B) 14:1-7 - Don't let your hearts be troubled; I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life

C) 14:8-14 - Seeing and Believing in Jesus and in the Father; Mutual Indwelling

D) 14:15-24 - The Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth; Keeping the Commandments/Words of Jesus

E) 14:25-31 - The Paraclete, whom the Father will send in my name; I Love the Father

F) 15:1-10 - The Vine and the Branches; Remain in Me, as I Remain in You

G) 15:11 - Purpose/Goal: My JOY in You, and Your JOY Complete

F') 15:12-17 - My Commandment: Love One Another as I Have Loved You

E') 15:18-27 - The World Hates You; the Paraclete, whom I will send from the Father

D') 16:1-11 - Opposition from the World; the Paraclete won't come unless I go

C') 16:12-15 - Speaking and Hearing the Truth; the Glory of the Father

B') 16:16-24 - You will no longer see me; you will have pain, but later your joy will be complete

A') 16:25-33 - Discourse Conclusion: Jesus speaks plainly about the Father's Love and the Disciples' Scattering

O') 17:1-26 - The PRAYER of JESUS: A Summary of the Johannine Jesus' Themes [see chiastic sub-structure on next page]

Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet and Foretells His Betrayal (13:1-30)
[full NAB text] [see related art]
(Chiastic Structure with NRSV text)

A	1 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
B	2 The *DEVIL* had already put it into the heart of *Judas son of Simon Iscariot* to betray him.
C	And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.
D	6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7 Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8 Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." 9 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" 10 Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." 11 For *he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you* are clean."
E	12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord--and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
F	15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
E'	16 Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
D'	18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, 'The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.' 19 I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I AM [he]. 20 Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me." 21 After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, "Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me." 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking.
C'	23 One of his disciples--the one whom Jesus loved--was reclining next to him; 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish."
B'	So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to *Judas son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After he received the piece of bread, SATAN* entered into him.
A'	Jesus said to him, "Do quickly what you are going to do." 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the festival"; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

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The Johannine Literature Web was created and is maintained by Felix Just, S.J.