2 Answers

  1. In the East, foot-washing was a custom of showing special respect to the guest.

    He lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, three men were standing against him. And when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the entrance of the tent, and bowed down to the ground, and said, Lord! if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant; and they will bring a little water, and wash your feet; and rest under this tree, and I will bring bread, and you will strengthen your hearts; then go on; for you are passing by your servant. They said, ” Do as you say.”

    https://ru.wikisource.org/wiki/Genesis#18

    And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet, and gave food to their asses.

    https://ru.wikisource.org/wiki/Genesis#43

    Naturally, they also washed their hands, they just mention their feet specifically, as if they were saying now – I took a shower, and not just washed my hands.

  2. Washing your feet was a show of cordiality and hospitality. In ancient times in the Middle East, where it is quite hot, it was customary to wash your feet before eating, because people usually wore open sandals and walked on dusty roads. In the homes of ordinary people, the host gave the guests vessels and water, and they washed their own feet. The wealthier people had servants to wash their guests ' feet, and this was considered a low-ranking job

    If the host or hostess washed the guest's feet themselves, this indicated their humility, respect and warm feelings for him.

    On the last night of his earthly life, Jesus Christ washed the apostles ' feet to teach them a lesson and set an example, not to introduce a new ritual. Before this, the apostles argued about which of them was the greater. “That night, Jesus and the apostles were just using the room”— they weren't anyone's guests. Therefore, there were no servants to wash their feet. None of the apostles were willing to do this lowly work. But Jesus got up, poured water into a basin, and washed their feet. In doing so, he showed that all should humbly serve others and show them love in practice, taking care of their comfort.

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