The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917], at sacred-texts.com
John Chapter 13
before the feast
For order of events during the night of the last passover, see
(See Scofield) - (Mat 26:20).
devil
diabolos.
(See Scofield) - (Rev 20:10).
needeth
The underlying imagery is of an oriental returning from the public baths to his house. His feet would contract defilement and require cleansing, but not his body. So the believer is cleansed as before the law from all sin "once for all" (Heb 10:1-12) but needs ever to bring his daily sins to the Father in confession, that he may abide in unbroken fellowship with the Father and with the Son (Jo1 1:1-10). The blood of Christ answers forever to all the law could say as to the believer's guilt, but he needs constant cleansing from the defilement of sin, (Eph 5:25-27); (Jo1 5:6). Typically, the order of approach to the presence of God was, first, the brazen altar of sacrifice, and then the laver of cleansing (Exo 40:6); (Exo 40:7).
See, also, the order in (Exo 30:17-21).
Christ cannot have communion with a defiled saint, but He can and will cleanse him.
washed
Literally, "bathed". The Greek word signifies "a complete ablution". "Wash" is another word.
Son of man
(See Scofield) - (Mat 8:20).