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Explanation for:
Matthew
26
:
21
And whilst they were eating, he said: Amen I say to you, that one of you is about to betray me.
12
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The one who predicted the suffering also reveals the traitor, providing him a chance for repentance, implying that the betrayer, realizing that his thoughts and hidden motives are known, might turn away from his wrongdoing. However, He refrained from explicitly naming him, so that the betrayer, if publicly acknowledged, would not grow bolder in his shame. The Lord addresses the wrongdoing broadly, allowing those aware of it the opportunity for repentance."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"As evening approached, Jesus reclined with the twelve disciples. What a disgraceful act by Judas! He was present, partaking in the sacred meal, yet he faced condemnation at the very table, where even an animal would have shown humility. Thus, the evangelist notes that during the meal, Christ spoke about the impending betrayal, intending to highlight the treachery of the traitor through the context of both the time and the meal. After the disciples fulfilled Jesus' instructions, He declared, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Prior to the meal, Christ washed Judas' feet, demonstrating His mercy toward the betrayer. He refrained from naming Judas directly; instead, He said, “one of you,” to afford him the chance for repentance and to instill fear in all, aiming ultimately for his salvation. “One of you twelve,” He asserted, “who are always with Me, whose feet I have washed, and to whom I have extended such great promises.”\\n\\nThen an overwhelming sorrow engulfed this sacred gathering. John recounts that the disciples were troubled and exchanged worried glances, as each one anxiously questioned himself about the situation, unaware of any wrongdoing. Matthew records, “They were greatly grieved and began to say to Him, each one of them, 'Is it I, Lord?'” Jesus responded, “He who dips his hand into the dish with Me will betray Me.” Observe when Christ unveiled the identity of the traitor! He aimed to alleviate the confusion plaguing the others, who were paralyzed by fear and hence asked with urgency. His intent was not only to relieve them of their fear but also to admonish the traitor. Judas, having often received indirect warnings yet remaining unheeding due to his hardened heart, was further exposed by Christ, who sought to awaken him from his spiritual slumber."},{"author-name":"Isidore of Pelusium","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88d94130e668938c9ae9d_Isidore%20of%20Pelusium.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"It was not due to Judas's descent into betrayal that the Lord predicted his malevolent intentions, O esteemed one. Rather, the Lord, perceiving the hidden inclinations of Judas's heart, proclaimed the future as though it were already happening, recognizing the malice within this wicked individual."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Mark notes that Jesus said, “He that eateth with me,” indicating that He is referring to one who shared in His fellowship yet was not among the twelve disciples. In doing so, Jesus subtly revealed to Judas that He was aware of his inner thoughts. Jesus washed Judas’s feet in an effort to lead him to repentance, yet Judas remained resolute in his intentions. Betrayal, in this context, signifies the act of surrendering: he handed Jesus over to death and to those who were wicked."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"In verse 20, He predicts Judas's actions as a means to admonish him, attempting to bring him to shame, if not through any other means, then at least through the communion of the meal. This serves to reveal to Judas that he intends to betray God, who is aware of his innermost thoughts."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"One of you will betray Me\\": \\"During the meal, Christ addressed His disciples regarding the impending betrayal, using that very moment to reveal the traitor... Observe how He protects the identity of the betrayer, for He does not explicitly name him, but says, one of you, allowing for the possibility of repentance while aiming to invoke fear in the others for the sake of that individual's salvation.\\""},{"author-name":"Philaret (Gumilevski)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896f4b6fd32caa244b5d7_Philaret%20(Gumilevski).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Jesus declared, \\"Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray Me\\" (John 13:21). If Judas's treachery is a shocking betrayal even in the case of a morally upright person, how much more grievous was it for the God-Man? The more pure and sacred a soul is, the more abhorrent sin becomes to it. St. Cyril observes, \\"The righteous anger of Jesus is a response to the evil of the betrayer.\\" Conversely, could the compassionate Lord not feel sorrow over the impending demise of one of His chosen apostles? A painful future awaits! Yet, this prophecy serves an essential purpose for the faithful (John 13:19)."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Look, St. Chrysostom remarks, how He shows mercy to the one who will betray Him, for instead of directly naming the traitor, He states: “one of you,” thus concealed, granting him a chance for repentance, while also instilling fear in the others as a means of securing his salvation. Here is one of the twelve, constantly in My presence, whose feet I have washed and to whom I have extended such profound blessings! At this, the holy gathering was engulfed in deep sorrow. John notes that the disciples were filled with confusion, glancing at one another. The Lord further revealed: “And behold, the hand of him who betrays Me is with Me at the table” (Luke 22:21). In that moment, each disciple, hesitant to look at another, began to question himself with trepidation, despite being unaware of any wrongdoing."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Jesus felt deep sorrow at having Judas, the betrayer, present at this farewell meal, which created an uncomfortable atmosphere. Judas ought to have departed, allowing Jesus to be alone with the other apostles, yet he chose to remain, defiantly meeting the gazes of those around him. In an effort to indicate that he was unwelcome, Jesus addressed all the apostles, saying, “Truly, truly, I say to you that one of you will betray Me” (John 13:21)."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Yet His gaze settled on Judas, and His heart was troubled. Noticing that the disciples overlooked the previous warning (John 13:10-11), Christ straightforwardly declared to them in a clear manner: ‘Truly, truly, I say to you that one of you will betray Me.’"},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Supper proceeded with a series of rituals: the attendees partook of bitter herbs, Passover dishes, and sipped wine from the four bowls of the Old Testament. At that moment, as a church hymn reflects, ‘the glorious disciples at the washing of the Supper were enlightened,’ while the treacherous Judas, consumed by greed, became increasingly enshrouded in darkness. He plotted and schemed about when and how to carry out his deceitful intentions, aiming to hoodwink those present with an appearance of false friendship and sincerity. Showing indifference to the Lord’s subtle warnings, he demonstrated that he did not regard them personally. This relentless pursuit of wickedness, marked by extreme shamelessness and cunning audacity, distressed the pure spirit of the Theotokos. She endured the presence of a betrayer among the holy assembly during such pivotal moments that required a final discourse, which was to reveal the fullness of the Master’s love for His disciples.\\n\\nThe Holy Evangelist John reported that Jesus Christ experienced deep distress within His spirit and, in revealing the painful truth, declared to His disciples, ‘Amen, amen I say to you, for one of you who is eating with Me will betray Me.’ To further illuminate His statement, He added, ‘But the hand of him who betrays Me is with Me at the meal.’ The holy apostles were filled with great sorrow upon hearing these alarming words; confused about whom the Lord meant, they exchanged glances, seeking to identify the traitor through his expression. Yet the traitor, feigning innocence, scrutinized the others in search of the culprit. A moment of solemn reflection ensued. ‘Believing the Teacher more than ourselves,’ as St. John Chrysostom noted, each began to examine their own conscience with unease. In their troubled hearts arose a humble sense of self-examination, recalling sins both voluntary and involuntary, lacks of faith and love, as well as selfish ambitions—of which even the foremost Apostle was not exempt."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In the account of the revelation of the traitor Judas, there is a notable distinction in the presentation of the story among the different Gospel writers. The Hebrew Luke, in a concise manner, recounts how, following Christ's prediction of the betrayer, the disciples began to question one another about who would commit this act. This aspect is similarly highlighted by the Hebrew John, who observes that the disciples looked at one another, confused about whom Jesus was referring to. In contrast, Matthew and Mark do not mention this confusion; they emphasize the sorrow of the disciples, who each questioned the Lord, asking, \\"Am I not the Lord?\\" They received the response, \\"He that putteth his hand in the dish with me, this one shall betray me.\\" Notably, only Matthew adds that Judas later inquired of the Lord, \\"Am I not Rabbi?\\" to which the answer was positive. John provides a different detail, omitting the disciples' questions and instead narrating how, at Peter's prompting, John, who was reclining close to Jesus, asked Him and learned that it was the one to whom the Lord would give a piece of bread. This specific conclusion of the story is unique to John. \\n\\nIt is clear that the Hebrew accounts highlight various elements of this event. Hebrew Luke offers a brief version, focusing only on the prediction concerning the traitor and the initial confusion among the disciples. In contrast, Hebrew Matthew and Mark detail the subsequent inquiries by each disciple to the Lord, along with an initial vague indication of the traitor and a warning to him. We might presume that the fulfillment of this warning coincided with the moment addressed to John. Judas, aiming to appear courageous, poses the question, \\"Is it not I, Rabbi?\\" and receives a discreet affirmation. The other disciples likely did not hear this last reply, yet they comprehended Jesus’ words about \\"he who put his hand in the dish with me\\" in a broad context as pertaining to \\"one of the twelve,\\" or as indicating \\"the hand of him who betrays me at the table with me.\\" \\n\\nThen Peter gestures to John, urging him to inquire of Jesus regarding the traitor. If this occurred during the part of the Supper when the host was breaking the bread to serve to the guests, it can be surmised that the identification of the traitor Judas unfolded in this manner: Jesus responded to John, indicating it would be the one to whom He served a dipped piece of bread, which was the moment He intended to pass bread to Judas. The turmoil within Judas and his attempts to conceal his feelings led him to reach for the dish prematurely, just as the Lord was placing His hand into the dish to give him the bread meant for him."}]}
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