Jesus highlights that one of his chosen disciples will betray him, not because he made a bad choice, but because this betrayal was prophesied and needed to happen to fulfill Scripture. The phrase "lifted up his heel against me" is a vivid metaphor for treacherous betrayal, especially potent because it refers to someone he shared intimate fellowship and meals with.
I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just washed the disciples' feet, a profound act of service and humility. As they gather for the Passover meal, Jesus reveals that one of them will betray Him, causing great distress among them. This verse highlights Jesus' foreknowledge and sorrow over Judas's impending betrayal, framing it as a fulfillment of ancient prophecy.
Jesus speaks of 'chosen' ones, but then reveals one will betray him. What does 'chosen' really mean here?
In this passage, Jesus distinguishes between two kinds of 'choosing'.
Chosen for Apostleship
When Jesus says, 'I know whom I have chosen,' he's referring to the twelve apostles he specifically selected for a particular task – to be with him and to be sent out to preach. This was a functional choice, an appointment to an office.
Chosen for Eternal Life
However, not all those chosen for a specific work are chosen for eternal salvation. Judas was chosen as an apostle, given all the privileges of that role, but he wasn't chosen for purity of heart and life. This deeper, eternal choice is what secures perseverance. The other eleven were chosen for both service and salvation, meaning God's grace would keep them faithful, even through trials. Judas, despite his apostolic calling, ultimately succumbed to his own desires.
Eating bread with someone signified deep friendship. How does this make the betrayal sting even more?
The phrase 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me' is a powerful metaphor for profound betrayal.
The Bond of Shared Meals
In ancient cultures, sharing a meal, especially bread, was a sacred act. It wasn't just about sustenance; it symbolized trust, fellowship, and a covenant of friendship. To eat with someone was to enter into a relationship of mutual protection and loyalty.
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The Kick of Ingratitude
'Lifting up his heel' is a vivid image. It evokes a horse kicking its owner, or a wrestler trying to trip someone up. It signifies a sudden, violent, and unexpected act of aggression against someone who had shown kindness. Judas, having shared intimate meals and received Jesus' bounty, turning against him was the ultimate act of ingratitude and treachery. It wasn't just an attack; it was an attack from within the circle of deepest trust, making the wound incredibly deep and painful for Jesus.
Did Judas betray Jesus because he had to, or did his betrayal simply fulfill what was written?
Jesus’s statement that the betrayal must happen 'that the Scripture may be fulfilled' isn't about determinism forcing Judas’s hand. It’s about divine purpose unfolding.
Foreknowledge and Purpose
God, in His infinite knowledge, foreknew that betrayal would occur. He used this foreknowledge to weave His redemptive plan together. The Scriptures, inspired by God, foretold such treachery.
Human Responsibility Remains
Crucially, the fulfillment of Scripture doesn't negate Judas's free will or his culpability. Judas made a conscious choice to betray Jesus, driven by his own greed and hardened heart. The Scripture wasn't a script compelling him to act; rather, his actions, freely chosen, aligned with and thus fulfilled the prophetic word. Jesus's own words highlight this: he knew who was chosen and who would betray him, indicating an awareness of both divine foreknowledge and individual choices.
Understand the original words
eklegomai · Greek Verb
In the context of divine sovereignty, it refers to God's act of calling individuals into a special relationship, mission, or status, often implying a setting apart for His purposes.
graphē · Greek Noun
Refers to the holy writings of the Old Testament, regarded as the inspired, authoritative, and infallible Word of God.
plēroō · Greek Verb
The act of bringing a prophecy or divine promise to pass; the completion or realization of what God has ordained.
egō eimi · Greek Pronoun/Verb
A title of divinity used by Jesus, echoing the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14 (Yahweh). It signifies His pre-existence, deity, and identity as the promised Messiah.
The verse speaks of betrayal within intimate fellowship, a theme echoed in ancient history with figures like David betrayed by trusted advisors. Jesus' words, rooted in Psalm 41:9, highlight the profound sting of treachery from someone who shared His 'bread' – a symbol of close relationship and trust.
c. 750 BC
Assyrian Empire's Conquests
The powerful Assyrian Empire expands its territory, leading to increased interaction and potential conflict with smaller kingdoms in the region, setting a precedent for later empires.
c. 605 BC
Babylonian Empire's Rise
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon defeats the Egyptians and Assyrians, marking the rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which would later conquer Jerusalem.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling many Judeans. This event deeply impacted Jewish identity and faith.
c. 539 BC
Persian Empire's Conquest
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers the Babylonian Empire, allowing some Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple.
c. 167 BC
Maccabean Revolt Begins
The Maccabean Revolt erupts against the Seleucid Empire's oppression, a time of intense religious and political struggle for Jewish independence.
c. 63 BC
Roman Conquest of Judea
Rome conquers Judea, establishing Roman rule and appointing client kings, profoundly shaping the political landscape Jesus lived in.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Last Supper
Jesus conducts His public ministry, calling disciples and teaching about the Kingdom of God. This culminates in the Last Supper, where He institutes communion and predicts His betrayal.
This is the Old Testament passage Jesus quotes, highlighting the ancient prophecy of betrayal by a close friend, showing this was not a random event but part of God's foreknowledge.
Matthew 26:20-25This passage describes the disciples' shock and confusion when Jesus announces one of them will betray Him, mirroring the disciples' reaction to Jesus' statement in John and showing their earnestness despite their later failures.
Luke 22:3-6This passage immediately precedes the Last Supper and explains Judas' motivation for seeking to betray Jesus, providing context for the betrayal Jesus foresees in John 13:18.
John 6:70-71Jesus here refers to Judas as 'a devil' even while choosing him as an apostle, underscoring Jesus' awareness of Judas' true nature despite his outward role and connecting to Jesus' knowledge of His chosen ones in John 13:18.
barnesJohn 13:18: "I speak not of you all: 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."
I speak not of you all - That is, in addressing you as clean, I do not mean to say that you all possess this character. I know whom I have chosen - He here means evidently to say that he had not chosen them all, implying that Judas had not been chosen. As, however, this word is applied to Judas in one place John 6:70, "Have no…
calvinJohn 13:18-20: "I speak not of you all: 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."
- I speak not of you all; I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He who eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 19. I tell you this now, before it happen, that when it shall have happened, you may believe that I am. [52] 20. Verily, verily, I tell you, if I send any one. he wh…
Jesus highlights that one of his chosen disciples will betray him, not because he made a bad choice, but because this betrayal was prophesied and needed to happen to fulfill Scripture. The phrase "lifted up his heel against me" is a vivid metaphor for treacherous betrayal, especially potent because it refers to someone he shared intimate fellowship and meals with.
Jesus has just washed the disciples' feet, a profound act of service and humility. As they gather for the Passover meal, Jesus reveals that one of them will betray Him, causing great distress among them. This verse highlights Jesus' foreknowledge and sorrow over Judas's impending betrayal, framing it as a fulfillment of ancient prophecy.
Jesus has just washed the disciples' feet, a profound act of service and humility. As they gather for the Passover meal, Jesus reveals that one of them will betray Him, causing great distress among them. This verse highlights Jesus' foreknowledge and sorrow over Judas's impending betrayal, framing it as a fulfillment of ancient prophecy.
"I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may b…" — Jesus highlights that one of his chosen disciples will betray him, not because he made a bad choice, but because this betrayal was prophesied and needed to happen to fulfill Scripture. The phrase "li…
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Last reviewed October 2026
