Feast interrupted

Peter J. Leithart February 11, 2011

A number of students writing on John 13 have noticed the oddity that Jesus washes the disciples feet – an act of hospitality in preparation for a meal – but then they never eat. It’s a feast interrupted.

I suspect that has something to do with the interaction between John and Revelation. For John, the wedding feast doesn’t start until the harlot is overthrown. Jesus washes His disciples in preparation for that feast yet to come.

Peter J. Leithart

Peter J. Leithart is president of the Theopolis Institute, Birmingham, Alabama. He posts regularly at his Substack, Notes from Beth-Elim.

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