FOOT WASHING (better feet washing). Though never a major rite in the Mosaic ritual, the washing of hands and feet of the priests did have a place (Exod 30:17-21). It may indeed be that all ablutions of the Bible are ritual rather than sanitary, though they rise out of assumed sanitary practices (de Vaux, Ancient Israel, Its Life and Customs, p. 460). Guests ordinarily were offered water and vessels for washing the feet (Gen 18:4; 19:2; 24:32; 43:24; Judg 19:21). As a special act of affection or humility the host(ess) might even wash his/her guests’ feet (1 Sam 25:41). A “sinful woman” spontaneously and gratefully so served the Lord (Luke 7:36-44).

At the Last Supper the Lord, taking a towel and basin during the meal (John 13:4-10), proceeded to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel. It was not to observe a custom, for the disciples were mystified by it. There is no doubt that Jesus gave it the spiritual significance of symbolic cleansing of the believer from the defilement of present sin as baptism symbolizes cleansing from all guilt—the one partial and temporary (νίπτω, G3782), the latter complete and permanent (λούω, G3374, imperfect tense): “He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet” (John 13:10). This is the main lesson rather than humility (viz. note in Scofield Bible, loc cit). Whether or not it is an ordinance (viz. John 13:14, 15) must be decided on the basis of whether or not it meets the three qualifications of a church ordinance: (1) instituted by Christ, (2) of universal, and (3) permanent application. A number of smaller denominations developing out of the “Left Wing of the Reformation” (Bainton) believe it to be an ordinance, citing in addition to John 13, 1 Timothy 5:10. The National Fellowship of Brethren Churches has developed quite a cogent theology and defense of it as an ordinance (viz. H. A. Hoyt, This Do, Brethren Missionary Herald Co., Winona Lake, Ind., also C. F. Yoder, God’s Means of Grace o.p.).