John 13:21-26 (WEL) After this, Jesus’ spirit was distressed, and he testified and said, “Very truly, I say to you that one of you will betray me.” 22 Then the disciples looked at one another at a loss to know who he was talking about. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. 24 So Simon Peter motioned to him to ask who he was talking about. 25 Leaning over to Jesus’ side, he said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give the morsel of bread, after I dip it.” After he had dipped the morsel of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son.
V21 After this, Jesus’ spirit was distressed, and he testified and said, “Very truly, I say to you that one of you will betray me.”
The Greek word for distressed is G5015 tarassō, ταράσσω, which means to stir up, agitate literally or emotionally; (AMG’s Comprehensive Dictionary of New Testament Words) “To disturb, to worry, to be upset; also translated: to frighten, to startle, to stir, to terrify, to throw into confusion, to throw into turmoil.”
This was not a game or guess. Jesus knew and it troubled Him greatly. He would rather have people repent, call on the name of the Lord, and be saved than to punish. Judas, as we know, refused and rejected Jesus’s offer of salvation. He chose money instead.
Betrayal is troubling to God who wants loyalty instead. God wants to bless instead of punish. But most people believe they are good enough, love sin, and/or believe someone’s lies about salvation.
As it is said, “Someone hurt me,” does not express the emotion; rather, it is “Someone I believed was safe hurt me.” Compare Psalm 41:9.
V22 Then the disciples looked at one another at a loss to know who he was talking about.
Judas was such a good masquerader that no one knew. Jesus knew; He knows all hearts and thoughts.
Principle: There may be people you meet who are the same. They seem to be great Christians, great members of society, fun to be with, but the truth is different.
V23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side.
Reclining is the position for eating a meal. (Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) Like the ancient Egyptians and Greeks and the modern Arabs, the Hebrew people sat while eating, probably on mats spread on the floor or ground (Genesis 27:19; Judges 19:6). They later adopted the practice of reclining upon cushions, couches, or divans (Esther 1:6; Esther 7:8).
John, the Apostle, had a great friendship, loyalty, faithfulness, etc., with Jesus. Jesus believes in friendship:
For sinners, in order to show His love for them—Matthew 11:19, Matthew 18:11, and Romans 5:7-8.
For repentant sinners, who place their faith and trust into Him; it is a friendship with joy—Luke 15:8-10
For believers—Exodus 33:11, John 11:11, Luke 12:4, and John 15:15.
V24 So Simon Peter motioned to him to ask who he was talking about.
God gave us the gift of curiosity. Compare Proverbs 25:2, 1 Peter 1:12, and Daniel 12:8-9. He did this because we need to learn, and curiosity motivates us to learn.
V25 Leaning over to Jesus’ side, he said to him, “Lord, who is it?”
V26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give the morsel of bread, after I dip it.” After he had dipped the morsel of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son.
I understand this token of honor and grace given to Judas Iscariot was the last appeal and offer to Judas to do what is right in the eyes of God. Judas failed miserably.
Principle: Offer the message of salvation until it is obviously rejected, then let God deal with that person to convict them more or if that person has crossed God’s red line into punishment without mercy.
We learn:
- About Jesus’s desire for all to be saved.
- About Jesus’s last appeal to Judas Iscariot.
- About friendship as seen in the life of Jesus Christ.
Questions:
- When do you stop giving the message of salvation?
- Do you show kindness to all sinners in hopes of reaching them with the Gospel?