When the Lord was washing the disciples’ feet, He came to Simon Peter; and Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” For who would not be filled with fear at having his feet washed by the Son of God? Although, therefore, it was an act of the greatest audacity for the servant to contradict his Lord, the creature his God, yet Peter preferred this to allowing his feet to be washed by his Lord and God.
Nor ought we to think that Peter was one among others who expressed their fear and refusal in this way, seeing that others before him had allowed it to be done to them with cheerfulness and equanimity. For it is easier to understand the words of the Gospel in this way, because, after saying, “He began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded”, it is then added, “Then He came to Simon Peter”, as if He had already washed the feet of some, and after them had now come to the first of them all. For who can fail to know that the most blessed Peter was the first of the apostles?
