Like today (hopefully), those who would attend the home of another for a meal would first bathe and then make the journey. They did not need another bath, unless the journey was long, but in that time their feet would be dirty.

“though not every one of you.” is alluding to Judas who is reclining at the table with them all after having sold out Jesus to the Sanhedrin (Mark 14:11).

Mark 14:11  They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

There is great symbolism in this act of Jesus, but it is not only in the fact that Jesus did it, but also in what He did. It is not a meaningless ceremony to show His humiliation. Some see it as an allusion to baptism and others to service, but it is more probably a reference to cleansing from sin. Those present, with one exception, were not in need of a bath, but did need their feet washed. Their bodies were already clean, but their feet had become soiled. The accumulated dirt did not deny them the ability to still belong to Jesus and have relationship with Him, but it did deny them to have a “part” or fellowship with Him. They were clean because of the word He had spoken to them  ( John 15:3), but the sins of their everyday life must be dealt with so they could enjoy fellowship with Him.

John 15:3  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

We, too, fall out of fellowship with God when we sin. We don’t lose our salvation our become less of a child of God, but we do lose that sweet savor of close relationship we enjoy with Him. However, God has provided a way for our “feet” to be washed and our fellowship with Him to be restored and it is as easy as confessing our sins to Him and receiving His forgiveness (1 John 1:9). How often will He cleanse us from our sins? As often as we ask. Are you clean and in fellowship with Him today?

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.