Matthew 26:23-24
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Jesus doesn't just say "one of you will betray me" – he points to a specific, intimate action shared at the table. The phrase "dippeth his hand in the dish with me" highlights the betrayal's profound breach of trust, signifying a closeness that makes the treachery all the more devastating. It's a stark reminder that the deepest wounds often come from those we share our deepest fellowship with.
He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just declared to his disciples during the Passover meal that one of them will betray him. The disciples are deeply distressed and begin asking, "Lord, is it I?" Jesus responds by giving a specific, intimate clue: the betrayer is the one who is sharing from the same dish he is. This statement, meant to identify the traitor within their close circle, is immediately followed by Judas himself asking, "Rabbi, is it I?" and Jesus confirming it is him.
Jesus uses a specific, intimate gesture at the Passover meal to reveal the traitor. What does sharing a dish signify?
During Passover, meals were often communal. To 'dip one's hand in the dish' with another person was a sign of close fellowship and trust. It was like sharing a common appetizer. Jesus points to this act, a symbol of deep connection, and declares that the one doing it with Him will betray Him. This highlights the shocking closeness of the traitor to Jesus, making the betrayal even more profound.
Jesus declares Judas's betrayal will happen, but also pronounces a woe upon him. How can both be true?
The betrayal of Jesus was not a surprise to God; it was part of His plan for salvation, as foretold in Scripture. Jesus' words confirm this, linking the act to prophecy. However, this divine foreknowledge and plan do not excuse Judas. Jesus also pronounces a severe 'woe' upon him, emphasizing that while God sovereignly works all things, human free will and wicked choices have real consequences. God's plan and human responsibility are held in tension.
Judas, fully aware of his impending betrayal, still participates in this sacred meal. What does this reveal about sin?
The commentators note the tragic reality of Judas's hardened heart. Despite sitting at the table with Jesus, sharing in the Passover, and even being directly implicated by Jesus' words, he proceeds with his plan. This demonstrates the deceitfulness of sin. When hearts become calloused by greed or other sinful desires, people can outwardly participate in religious acts while inwardly remaining committed to betrayal. It's a stark warning against allowing sin to blind us to truth and fellowship.
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Understand the original words
ho huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun phrase
A Messianic title used by Jesus to refer to himself, derived from Daniel 7:13-14. It emphasizes both his humanity and his divine authority as the representative figure who will judge the world and establish God's kingdom.
ouai · Greek Interjection
An expression of intense grief, judgment, or impending disaster. It is a prophetic announcement of divine condemnation or the inevitable consequences of sinful choices.
This verse is set during the Passover meal, a time of remembrance for Israel's deliverance from slavery. Jesus reveals that a disciple, one sharing this intimate meal with him, will betray him, powerfully highlighting the deep betrayal and the desecration of a sacred covenant meal.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Shares the Last Passover Meal
During the Passover feast, Jesus and his disciples share a traditional meal. Jesus uses this intimate setting to reveal that one of them will betray him.
c. AD 30
Judas Identifies Himself as the Betrayer
In response to Jesus's words, Judas specifically asks, 'Rabbi, is it I?' Jesus confirms his identity, and John's Gospel describes Jesus giving Judas a piece of food dipped in sauce, a sign of intimacy and a signal for him to go.
c. AD 30
Judas Departs the Meal
After Jesus's confirmation, Judas leaves the upper room where the Passover meal was held. It was night, and he went out to finalize his betrayal with the religious authorities.
c. AD 30
Institution of the Lord's Supper
Following Judas's departure, Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper, using the Passover bread and wine to symbolize his body and blood, which would soon be given for humanity.
c. AD 30
Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
Later that night, as they went to the Mount of Olives, Jesus foretold that Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crowed.
c. AD 30
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
Jesus and his remaining disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed intensely, submitting to God's will for his impending suffering and death.
c. AD 30
Jesus is Arrested
Judas led a crowd of soldiers and guards to the garden, identifying Jesus with a kiss, leading to Jesus's arrest.
This verse is directly quoted by Jesus in John 13:18 and describes a close companion lifting their heel in betrayal, highlighting the deep personal hurt associated with Judas's actions.
Luke 22:21-22This passage from Luke presents a similar statement from Jesus, emphasizing that while his betrayal is part of God's determined plan, woe still awaits the one who carries it out, underscoring the gravity of Judas's choice.
John 13:21-30John's Gospel provides a more detailed account of this moment, including Jesus specifically giving Judas a morsel dipped in the sauce, confirming his identity as the betrayer and showing Jesus' foreknowledge and direct action in the event.
Matthew 26:25This verse immediately follows, showing Judas himself asking 'Is it I?' and Jesus' direct confirmation, which amplifies the shocking audacity of his betrayal and his attempt to conceal his guilt.
vincentMatthew 26:23: "And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me."
The dish (τρυβλίῳ)Wyc., platter. A dish containing a broth made with nuts, raisins, dates, figs, etc., into which' pieces of bread were dipped.
calvinMatthew 26:21-25: "And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me."
- And while they were eating, he said, Verily I tell you, That one of you will betray me. 22. And they became exceedingly sorrowful, and began every one of them to say to him, Lord, is it I? 23. But he answering said, He who hath dipped his hand with me in the dish will betray me. 24. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betra…
Jesus doesn't just say "one of you will betray me" – he points to a specific, intimate action shared at the table. The phrase "dippeth his hand in the dish with me" highlights the betrayal's profound breach of trust, signifying a closeness that makes the treachery all the more devastating. It's a stark reminder that the deepest wounds often come from those we share our deepest fellowship with.
Jesus has just declared to his disciples during the Passover meal that one of them will betray him. The disciples are deeply distressed and begin asking, "Lord, is it I?" Jesus responds by giving a specific, intimate clue: the betrayer is the one who is sharing from the same dish he is. This statement, meant to identify the traitor within their close circle, is immediately followed by Judas himself asking, "Rabbi, is it I?" and Jesus confirming it is him.
Jesus has just declared to his disciples during the Passover meal that one of them will betray him. The disciples are deeply distressed and begin asking, "Lord, is it I?" Jesus responds by giving a specific, intimate clue: the betrayer is the one who is sharing from the same dish he is. This statement, meant to identify the traitor within their close circle, is immediately followed by Judas himself asking, "Rabbi, is it I?" and Jesus confirming it is him.
"He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been bor…" — Jesus doesn't just say "one of you will betray me" – he points to a specific, intimate action shared at the table. The phrase "dippeth his hand in the dish with me" highlights the betrayal's profound…
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Last reviewed October 2026
