MPV Commentary

21. When Jesus had spoken these words, he was visibly troubled in spirit and testified, saying, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." The announcement of John 13:18 seems not to have been clear enough for everyone to understand, except perhaps the traitor himself. To make it unmistakable, Jesus spoke with greater emphasis. However, this cost him visibly, as his spirit was troubled before he could utter these words.

This reveals a wounded susceptibility and an exquisite delicacy in Jesus' social interactions with the Twelve, whom He couldn't break the subject to without effort.

22. The disciples looked at one another, doubting which of them Jesus spoke about. In other accounts (Matthew 26:22; Luke 22:23; Mark 14:19), we see that they were extremely sorrowful and began questioning among themselves who would do this thing. Each was anxious to clear himself and know if he could be the one responsible, rather than accusing others. Their direct question to Jesus, as knowing who would do it, demonstrated their innocence.

Jesus added, "The Son of Man is going as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born" (Matthew 26:24). Judas, last among them, responded, "Lord, is it I?" He likely felt that if all were asking this question, his silence might draw suspicion upon himself. To prevent this, the question was wrung out of him, possibly in a half-suppressed tone or by little more than a sign.

23-26. One of Jesus' disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining on His bosom. Peter signaled to him to ask who it was that Jesus spoke about. The disciple leaned over and whispered, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus replied inaudibly, perhaps communicating the answer to Peter from behind.

Jesus then said, "I will give this piece of bread to one of you," dipped it in the wine or sauce, and gave it to Judas. This act was a poignant expression of Jesus' wounded love for Judas.

27-30. After giving the sop to Judas, Satan entered into him (John 13:27). The devil had already put it into his heart to betray Jesus, but we can only speculate about the struggles Judas went through before carrying out this act. Even after receiving the thirty pieces of silver, he still seemed to be hesitant.

When Jesus stooped to wash Judas' feet, it may have been the final struggle for him. However, the word from Psalm 41:9 and Jesus' explicit announcement that one of those sitting with Him at the table would betray Him likely sealed his fate. At this moment, the sop was given, and Jesus offered friendship once more.

But Satan had already entered Judas, and despite Jesus' act, hell was now in his heart. He thought to himself, "The die is cast; I must see it through." Fear, begone! (See Matthew 12:43).

Then Jesus said to him, "What you are doing, do quickly. Your presence here is a restraint, and your work remains undone. You have the wages of iniquity; go and collect them!" No one knew what Jesus meant by this statement, but some thought He was saying, "Give it to the poor." This shows how carefully Jesus kept the secret and Judas' hypocrisy until the end.

28-30. Having received the sop, Judas immediately left the room, severing himself from that holy community with which he had never shared spiritual sympathy. It was night, but a far darker night than the one outside – in the soul of Judas.