Washing the Disciples' Feet
(John 13:4–17)

At the Last Supper, Christ ,rose from table, laid aside his garments, and taking a towel, tied it round him. Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash his disciples' feet and to wipe them with a towel.' When Peter's turn came he protested at Christ humbling himself in this way. It is this scene that is always depicted. Christ stands or kneels in the act of washing or wiping the feet of Peter who is seated on a chair or stool. Peter raises a hand in a deprecatory gesture. A disciple re-tying a sandal is traditionally identified with Judas. On Maundy Thursday the pope annually washes the feet of twelve poor men, a ritual also performed in some Eastern Orthodox Churches, and in the English Church until 1750.