Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Poureth (ballei). Vivid present again. Literally, "putteth" (as in verse John 13:2, ballw).
Into the basin (eiv ton nipthra). From verb niptw (later form of nizw in this same verse and below) to wash, found only here and in quotations of this passage. Note the article, "the basin" in the room.
Began to wash (hrcato niptein). Back to the aorist again as with diezwsen (verse John 13:4). Niptw was common for washing parts of the body like the hands or the feet.
To wipe (ekmassein). "To wipe off" as in John 12:3.
With the towel (tw lentiw). Instrumental case and the article (pointing to lention in verse John 13:4).
Wherewith (w). Instrumental case of the relative o.
He was girded (hn diezwsmenov). Periphrastic past perfect of diazwnnuw for which verb see verse John 13:4.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing John 13:5:
Matthew 23:6
John 13:4
John 15:17
John 17:11
1 Timothy 5:10
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