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, while acknowledging that his betrayal was foretold and part of God's plan, directly pivots to the immense personal responsibility and horrifying consequences for the one who carries out the act. This isn't just about divine will; it's a stark warning about the profound personal ruin that treachery, even when woven into God's grander design, brings upon the perpetrator.
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 revealed that one of his closest followers will betray him, causing immense sorrow among the disciples who all question if it's them. Jesus clarifies it's someone at the table with him, but emphasizes that while his own betrayal is foreordained by Scripture, the traitor faces an unimaginable woe.
Jesus states His coming suffering is 'as it is written.' How does this cosmic plan interact with human choice and responsibility?
Jesus makes a profound statement here: 'The Son of Man goes as it is written of him.' This isn't just a passive acceptance of fate, but an acknowledgment that His suffering and death were foretold in the Scriptures.
A Cosmic Play with Human Actors
Jesus doesn't just condemn the act of betrayal; He pronounces a devastating 'woe' and a chilling alternative: non-existence.
The words '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' are incredibly strong. Let's break down what this means:
Ask a follow-up
The Abyss of Ultimate Loss
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 sits squarely within the final hours of Jesus' earthly life, a moment filled with both divine purpose and human tragedy. Jesus acknowledges that his suffering and death are foretold in Scripture, aligning with God's plan. Yet, he also pronounces a devastating judgment on Judas, emphasizing that fulfilling prophecy doesn't excuse wicked actions or the profound consequences of betraying the Son of Man.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus Institutes the Lord's Supper
During the Passover meal, Jesus shares a final meal with his disciples, foretelling his betrayal and institution of the Lord's Supper.
c. 30 AD
Judas Iscariot's Betrayal
Judas identifies Jesus to the arresting officers in the Garden of Gethsemane, leading to Jesus' arrest.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Trial and Crucifixion
Jesus is tried by the Jewish authorities and Pontius Pilate, and subsequently crucified.
c. 30 AD
Judas' Remorse and Death
Overcome with remorse, Judas attempts to return the silver he received for the betrayal and then hangs himself.
c. 30 AD
Resurrection of Jesus
Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus is resurrected from the dead, validating his claims and mission.
This Old Testament Psalm is directly quoted by Jesus in John 13:18 as a prophecy of Judas's betrayal, highlighting the foreknown nature of this act.
Acts 2:23Peter explicitly states that Jesus was delivered up according to God's definite plan and foreknowledge, reinforcing the idea that the betrayal, though an act of human wickedness, served a divine purpose.
Acts 4:27-28In this passage, the early believers pray, acknowledging that Herod, Pontius Pilate, and the Gentiles acted together against Jesus, fulfilling 'whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place,' further emphasizing the divine orchestration of events.
Job 3:2-10The intense lament of Job, who wishes he had never been born, provides a backdrop for Jesus's extreme statement about Judas, showing that such expressions were understood as signifying profound suffering and regret.
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…
clarkeMatthew 26:24: "The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born."
The Son of man goeth - That is, is about to die. Going, going away, departing, etc., are frequently used in the best Greek and Latin writers, for death, or dying. The same words are often used in the Scriptures in the same sense. It had been good for that man - Can this be said of any sinner, in the common sense in which…
Jesus, while acknowledging that his betrayal was foretold and part of God's plan, directly pivots to the immense personal responsibility and horrifying consequences for the one who carries out the act. This isn't just about divine will; it's a stark warning about the profound personal ruin that treachery, even when woven into God's grander design, brings upon the perpetrator.
Jesus has just revealed that one of his closest followers will betray him, causing immense sorrow among the disciples who all question if it's them. Jesus clarifies it's someone at the table with him, but emphasizes that while his own betrayal is foreordained by Scripture, the traitor faces an unimaginable woe.
Jesus has just revealed that one of his closest followers will betray him, causing immense sorrow among the disciples who all question if it's them. Jesus clarifies it's someone at the table with him, but emphasizes that while his own betrayal is foreordained by Scripture, the traitor faces an unimaginable woe.
"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.”" — Jesus, while acknowledging that his betrayal was foretold and part of God's plan, directly pivots to the immense personal responsibility and horrifying consequences for the one who carries out the ac…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026