John 13:6

An Exegetical Analysis of John 13:6: The Pragmatic Significance of Pronoun Placement

This exegetical study of John 13:6 is based on a b-greek discussion from March 8th, 2013. The initial query concerned John 13:6 (ἔρχεται οὖν πρὸς Σίμων Πέτρον. λέγει αὐτῷ, Κύριε, σύ μου νίπτεις τοὺς πόδας;) specifically focusing on the grammatical and pragmatic implications of the placement of the possessive pronoun μου before the verb νίπτεις. Questions were raised about whether this word order imparts emphasis to μου, possibly implying a contrast between Peter’s feet and those of other disciples. A related inquiry explored how the meaning or perception of the question would differ if Peter had instead asked Κύριε, σύ νίπτεις τοὺς πόδας μου;.

The central exegetical issue revolves around the precise function of word order in Koine Greek, particularly concerning the interaction between emphatic pronouns and enclitics. Specifically, the discussion critically examines whether the placement of μου in σύ μου νίπτεις τοὺς πόδας signifies an emphatic function or is rather a consequence of phonological and syntactic rules, such as Wackernagel’s Law. This investigation seeks to determine the intended information structure—topic, focus, and presupposition—within Peter’s question, thereby clarifying the nuances of his surprise and rhetorical intent.

ἔρχεται οὖν πρὸς Σίμων Πέτρον. λέγει αὐτῷ, Κύριε, σύ μου νίπτεις τοὺς πόδας; (Nestle 1904)

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• The Nestle 1904 text reads Σίμων (nominative) for Peter’s name, whereas the SBLGNT (2010) reads Σίμωνα (accusative), which is grammatically more consistent with the preposition πρὸς. NA28 also follows Σίμωνα.

Textual Criticism (NA28): The primary textual variant in John 13:6 pertains to the case of Simon Peter’s name. The Nestle-Aland 28th edition (NA28) reads Σίμωνα Πέτρον, employing the accusative case, which aligns with the preposition πρὸς. This reading is strongly supported by major uncials such as P⁶⁶, P⁷⁵, א, B, D, L, W, Θ, Ψ, 0101, 0250, and the Byzantine text. The variant Σίμων Πέτρον (nominative) found in some older editions (like Nestle 1904) is less widely attested, typically found in a minority of minuscules and some older versions, suggesting a grammatical harmonization or assimilation to the nominative form of the name in less critical textual traditions.

Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG):

• ἔρχομαι (BDAG 408): “to come, go, arrive.” Here, ἔρχεται is the historical present, conveying vividness, meaning “he comes.”
• πρός (BDAG 871): “to, toward, with.” In this context, it indicates movement “to” or “towards” a person.
• λέγω (BDAG 586): “to say, speak.” The historical present λέγει maintains the vivid narrative style, meaning “he says.”
• Κύριος (BDAG 577): “Lord, master, owner.” Peter addresses Jesus with profound respect and recognition of authority.
• σύ (BDAG 972): The second-person singular pronoun “you.” Its explicit inclusion, particularly in its position, is often emphatic in Greek, highlighting the identity of the person.
• μου (BDAG 662): The genitive singular of the first-person pronoun ἐγώ, functioning here as a possessive pronoun “my” (referring to “my feet”). As an enclitic, its placement is subject to specific phonological rules.
• νίπτω (BDAG 674): “to wash.” In the context of feet, it refers to the act of cleansing, typically performed by a servant for a guest.
• πούς (BDAG 857): “foot.” The plural πόδας refers to “feet.”

Translation Variants

The grammatical and rhetorical analysis of John 13:6, particularly the phrase σύ μου νίπτεις τοὺς πόδας;, centers on the pragmatic function of word order in Koine Greek. The core issue is whether the pre-verbal placement of the enclitic possessive pronoun μου alongside the emphatic subject pronoun σύ indicates a double emphasis or is governed by other linguistic principles.

• Wackernagel’s Law and Enclitics: Academic research, extending from studies in Homeric and Vedic Sanskrit to Herodotus and Koine Greek, demonstrates that enclitic pronouns (including genitive enclitics like μου) tend to be positioned after the first phonologically prominent word in an intonation unit. In John 13:6, the emphatic σύ (“you”) serves as this prominent word, attracting the unaccented enclitic μου (“my”) to follow it. This grammatical tendency suggests that μου itself is not emphasized. As an enclitic, it lacks an independent accent, making phonological emphasis impossible. Therefore, interpretations by older commentators positing a “lesser emphasis” on μου are largely superseded by a more nuanced understanding of Koine Greek phonology and syntax. Had the author intended to emphasize “my,” the genitive form ἐμοῦ would typically have been employed.
• Emphasis and Information Structure: The explicit presence and fronted position of σύ strongly indicate that it is the narrow focus of Peter’s question. Peter’s surprise does not lie in the fact that someone is washing his feet (which would be expected hospitality for a guest), but rather in the identity of the one performing the humble task—Jesus himself. Thus, the information structure identifies σύ as belonging to the assertion (what is new or questioned) and μου νίπτεις τοὺς πόδας as the presupposition (what is shared or assumed). Peter is essentially asking, “Lord, are you the one who’s going to wash my feet?” The cultural context of a superior performing a menial task for a subordinate underlies the rhetorical force.
• Contrast with Alternative Word Order: If the phrase had been structured as σύ νίπτεις τοὺς πόδας μου;, the information structure would likely shift. In this less marked and more usual word order, σύ might function more as a topic (introducing a new agent), and the entire predicate νίπτεις τοὺς πόδας μου would likely carry a broader focus. The chosen order, however, sharply focuses the inquiry on “you.” While some might propose that the order σύ μου reflects a “marked Focus precedes marked Topic” dynamic, the consensus leans toward the enclitic nature of μου as the primary driver for its position rather than an independent emphatic function.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

Based on the analysis of enclitic pronoun placement and information structure in Koine Greek, it is evident that in John 13:6, the emphatic pronoun σύ (“you”) bears the primary focus of Peter’s rhetorical question. The placement of μου (“my”) immediately after σύ is best explained by Wackernagel’s Law, indicating its nature as an unaccented enclitic attracted to the clause’s initial prominent word, rather than conveying a distinct emphasis on “my.” Peter’s astonishment is directed at the identity of the feet-washer, not primarily at the ownership of the feet being washed.

1. “Lord, are you washing my feet?”
   This translation emphasizes the identity of the subject, Jesus, as the unexpected agent of the action.
2. “Lord, you—my feet you wash?”
   This rendition attempts to reflect the Greek word order more directly, highlighting “you” at the outset and treating “my feet” as part of the presupposed action.
3. “Lord, is it you who washes my feet?”
   This rephrasing explicitly brings out the narrow focus on “you” as the one being questioned, with the act of washing Peter’s feet as the background assumption.