Is Footwashing in the New Testament a Command or Just Symbolic?
1) Direct Answer
It is a command to be practiced by believers. It is not merely symbolic, though it carries a spiritual meaning. Footwashing is a New Testament ordinance tied to the Lord’s Supper.
2) Scriptural Explanation
- Jesus said, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet… I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you… If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:14–15, 17).
- He explained the spiritual meaning—cleansing in our daily walk—yet still told them to do it (John 13:8–10).
- The early church continued it: a faithful widow is described as one who “washed the saints’ feet” (1 Timothy 5:10).
3) Simple Clarifying Logic
- Jesus didn’t say, “Think about what I did,” but, “Do as I have done to you.” That’s a command.
- If it were only cultural, the Holy Spirit would not have stamped it in the church record as a mark of faithful service (1 Timothy 5:10).
- Like water baptism and the Lord’s Supper, it is both meaningful and to be literally observed. The act expresses humility, fellowship, and the reminder that the Lord keeps us clean in our daily walk—but He still told us to do it.
4) Reinforcing Statement
Now notice, the Bible ties blessing to obedience: “Happy are ye if ye do them.” So we keep it because the Lord said so. It’s not three ideas or traditions—it’s one simple command: wash one another’s feet.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
The great warrior David
55-0118 §25
Notice, David was called by election. He was elected, called, anointed, and placed, see. Elected by God, called from sheepherding to be the king, anointed and positionally placed. Look. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph; Abraham--election, Isaac--justification, and Jacob--grace, and Joseph--perfection. Nothing against Joseph. All right, there you are, called. Are you a David? Called. Elected first by God. How many Christians here? raise up your hand. You're not a Christian by your desire; you're a Christian by God's de...
The great coming revival
54-0718A §57
But I was reading his book some time ago. He said he was over in some of the countries over there doing some missionary work, and he took some kind of a fever, blackwater fever, or yellow fever, or something. And it rose so high on him till he begin to come unconscious. He said to his wife, "Don't leave me; stay by me and pray for me." And said she kept praying. And said he went in to a coma. And he believed in God. Paul Rader preached divine healing. He not only preached it, but he practiced it. So he said he went...
The approach to God
55-0123A §52
"That's My approach," He said, "that's the way I'm asking You to approach Me. I am your satisfier! Do you believe it?," He said. Amen. "I am the One that'll satisfy you as you draw from Me, life. Abraham, you're a hundred years old, but you're just a baby to Me." See? Well, he said, "Look at my flesh, how it's wrinkled up, and my hair is gray, and my shoulders are stooped." "But I am the life-giver!" Amen. That's it, Abraham. Do you see it? Abraham believed God then. 'Cause he had approach through a symbol, through...
The Communion
57-0418 §42
May our hearts think this over: "I will drink it anew with you in My Father's kingdom." If He should come before another Easter comes, if you should die before another Easter comes, it will not prevent that great event. For I say by the Word of the Lord, that those which are sleeping in Christ shall come forth first. And we which are alive and remain shall be caught up with them, together in the air to meet the Lord. And the great Melchisedec of heaven, the King of not the natural Jerusalem but the King of the Heav...
Believing God
52-0224 §63
Then back there, and Jesus said, "As Moses lifted up the brass serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up." And if shining that light of God back there, in a type, looking upon a brass serpent which was a symbol, He said...