Daily Bible Reading: John 13:18-30 The Betrayer of Jesus is Revealed

In the last post, Jesus washed the feet of his apostles, including Judas Iscariot.  But Jesus knew that Judas would betray him as the following verses reveal:

V18-21 "...I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.  Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he......When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me."

Everything that Jesus did in his ministry on this earth was in fulfillment of the scriptures.  He chose the one who would betray him in order that the scriptures would be fulfilled.  Now it is time for Jesus to tell his apostles that one of them would betray him.  He used the words "verily, verily", words which he always used when he had something very important to say.  This caused the disciples to look at each other and wonder who it was.  Jesus speaks of his betrayal before it happened in order that his apostles would believe.  Still, it troubled Jesus to tell the apostles that the betrayer was one of them.



V22-26 "Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.  Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.  Simon Peter therefore  beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.  He then lying on Jesus breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?  Jesus answered. He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it.  And when he  had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot..."

The disciples (apostles) were clearly confused and probably shocked at what Jesus had said, that one of them would betray him.  But Judas was not confused at all, he knew that he would betray Jesus.  One of the disciples, of whom it is said that Jesus loved, was leaning on his breast.  This disciple is John, the writer of this gospel who never speaks of himself in his own name.  Even when he writes the account of the crucifixion, when Jesus asks him to take care of Mary, he refers to himself as one that Jesus loved.  He was asked by Simon Peter to try and find out who the betrayer was.  Jesus has a way to reveal the betrayer without saying his name, he will give a piece of dipped bread to the  betrayer.  And when he had dipped the bread he gave it to Judas.

V27-30 "and after the sop Satan entered into him.  Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.  Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him...some thought because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.  He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night."

With giving the piece of bread to Judas, John knew who the betrayer was.  And then a most terrible thing happens, Satan himself entered Judas.  Previously we have read of people who were possessed by devils, demons, but this is when we hear of one possessed by Satan himself.  And with that, Jesus told him to quickly accomplish his betrayal.  And Judas immediately left.  John adds that "it was night".  Darkness, Judas would no longer see "the light of the world", he would for the rest of his time on earth be in darkness of sin.

next post will be Peter learning that he will deny Jesus.

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