John 13:18

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

I speak {G3004} not {G3756} of {G4012} you {G5216} all {G3956}: I {G1473} know {G1492} whom {G3739} I have chosen {G1586}: but {G235} that {G2443} the scripture {G1124} may be fulfilled {G4137}, He that eateth {G5176} bread {G740} with {G3326} me {G1700} hath lifted up {G1869} his {G846} heel {G4418} against {G1909} me {G1691}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“I’m not talking to all of you — I know which ones I have chosen. But the words of the Tanakh must be fulfilled that say, ‘The one eating my bread has turned against me.’

Berean Standard Bible

I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’

American Standard Version

I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 13:18, amidst the intimate setting of the Last Supper, Jesus reveals His profound divine foreknowledge of Judas Iscariot's impending betrayal. Having just demonstrated humble service by washing His disciples' feet, Jesus clarifies that while His act of cleansing applied to most, one among them remained spiritually unclean. He declares that this betrayal, by one who shared intimate fellowship and sustenance with Him, is not an unforeseen tragedy but a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, specifically from Psalm 41:9, thereby affirming God's sovereign plan even in the face of human treachery.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 13:18 serves as a pivotal transition within the Gospel of John, bridging Jesus' profound act of humble service (the foot-washing in [John 13:1-17](/john/13-1-17 "John 13:1-17 - Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet")) and the subsequent revelation of His betrayer, leading into the Farewell Discourse. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus has just declared, "You are clean, but not every one of you" ([John 13:10](/john/13-10 "John 13:10 - Not All Are Clean")), hinting at the presence of an unredeemed heart among the twelve. Verse 18 then unpacks this cryptic statement, explaining that the betrayal is not a failure of Jesus' discernment or mission, but a divinely ordained event, fulfilling ancient scripture. This sets the stage for the dramatic identification of Judas and his departure, which allows Jesus to then deliver His final, intimate teachings to the remaining faithful disciples.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The phrase "He that eateth bread with me" carries immense weight in the ancient Near Eastern context. Sharing a meal, particularly bread, signified a deep bond of fellowship, trust, and covenant. It was a sacred act of hospitality, establishing a relationship of loyalty and mutual obligation. To then "lift up his heel against me" by one who had shared such intimacy was the ultimate act of treachery and contempt. This imagery evokes a violent, aggressive, and utterly disrespectful rejection, akin to a kick from an animal or a servant turning on its master. The cultural expectation was that sharing a meal created an unbreakable bond, making Judas's act not merely a betrayal of trust, but a profound violation of social and spiritual norms, intensifying the pain and wickedness of his deed.
* **Key Themes:** John 13:18 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Foreknowledge and Sovereignty**, demonstrating that Jesus was fully aware of Judas's character and his impending betrayal from the outset, as seen in earlier statements like [John 6:64](/john/6-64 "John 6:64 - Jesus Knew Who Would Betray Him"). This foreknowledge underscores Jesus' deity and God's ultimate control over all events, even human sin, to accomplish His redemptive plan. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **Fulfillment of Scripture**, particularly the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering and betrayal. By quoting [Psalm 41:9](/psalm/41-9 "Psalm 41:9 - Betrayal by a Trusted Friend"), Jesus affirms the divine inspiration and reliability of the Scriptures, showing that His path, including the darkest moments, was preordained. Lastly, it brings into sharp focus the theme of **Betrayal and its Profound Pain**, especially when it comes from within a trusted circle of fellowship, contrasting sharply with the theme of **Love and Loyalty** that Jesus embodies and teaches throughout [John 13](/john/13 "John 13 - The Last Supper and Foot Washing").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **scripture (Greek, _graphḗ'_):** From _graphō_, meaning "to write." In this context, it refers to a written document, specifically the holy Writ, or the inspired Word of God, indicating a prophetic utterance from the Old Testament. Jesus' statement emphasizes that the events unfolding are not random but are precisely aligned with what has been divinely recorded.
* **chosen (Greek, _eklégomai'_):** Middle voice from _ek_ ("out of") and _legō_ ("to speak" or "to choose"). It means "to select" or "to choose out." Here, Jesus asserts His active selection of all His disciples, including Judas, for a specific purpose within His earthly ministry, even while knowing Judas's ultimate destiny. This highlights the mystery of divine election and human responsibility.
* **lifted up (Greek, _epaírō'_):** From _epi_ ("upon") and _airō_ ("to raise"). It means "to raise up" or "to exalt." In the context of "lifting up the heel," it signifies a contemptuous, aggressive, and complete rejection or attack. It's a violent, hostile action, implying a sudden turn from apparent companionship to open enmity, like a kick.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen:"** Jesus clarifies that His previous statement about being "clean" ([John 13:10](/john/13-10 "John 13:10 - Not All Are Clean")) does not apply universally to all twelve disciples. He asserts His divine omniscience, stating that He possesses full knowledge of each individual's heart and destiny, including the one who would betray Him. This underscores His sovereignty and foreknowledge, indicating that Judas's actions, though wicked, were not unforeseen by God.
* **"but that the scripture may be fulfilled,"** This clause introduces the overarching theological purpose behind the impending betrayal. Jesus emphasizes that Judas's act, far from being an unexpected setback, is a necessary event to bring to fruition a specific Old Testament prophecy. This highlights the inerrancy and prophetic nature of God's Word, demonstrating that God's plan unfolds precisely as foretold, even through human sin.
* **"He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me."** This is a direct quotation from [Psalm 41:9](/psalm/41-9 "Psalm 41:9 - Betrayal by a Trusted Friend"). It identifies the betrayer as someone who shared the most intimate form of fellowship—eating bread together—a symbol of deep trust and covenantal relationship. The phrase "lifted up his heel" is a vivid, aggressive metaphor for a contemptuous and violent act of betrayal, a sudden, treacherous attack from one who should have been an ally. It signifies a complete and utter rejection of the bond of fellowship.

#### Literary Devices
John 13:18 employs several powerful literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Jesus' cryptic words about one being "unclean" and the subsequent quote from Psalm 41:9 build suspense and prepare the disciples for the imminent revelation of the betrayer. The verse also utilizes **Allusion** and **Quotation**, directly referencing [Psalm 41:9](/psalm/41-9 "Psalm 41:9 - Betrayal by a Trusted Friend"). This intertextual link not only validates the Old Testament's prophetic nature but also deepens the emotional resonance by drawing on David's lament of betrayal by a trusted friend, applying it to Jesus' own experience. The phrase "lifted up his heel" is a potent **Metaphor**, vividly conveying a sudden, aggressive, and contemptuous act of hostility, likening the betrayal to a violent kick rather than a mere turning away. This imagery underscores the profound pain and wickedness of Judas's actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 13:18 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous sovereignty, even over the darkest acts of human sin. Jesus' foreknowledge of Judas's betrayal, coupled with the explicit statement that it fulfills scripture, affirms that God's redemptive plan is not subject to human failings but incorporates them into His perfect design. This demonstrates that the suffering and ultimate sacrifice of Christ were not accidental but part of a divinely orchestrated narrative, meticulously foretold and brought to pass. The betrayal, though a heinous act of human will, serves to highlight the unwavering truth of God's Word and the certainty of His purposes.

* [Psalm 41:9](/psalm/41-9 "Psalm 41:9 - The Betrayal Prophecy")
* [Acts 1:16](/acts/1-16 "Acts 1:16 - Scripture Fulfilled in Judas's Betrayal")
* [Matthew 26:21-25](/matthew/26-21-25 "Matthew 26:21-25 - Jesus Identifies His Betrayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 13:18 offers a profound lens through which to view human relationships, divine sovereignty, and personal faithfulness. In a world where betrayal is a painful reality, Jesus' experience provides deep empathy and understanding. We are reminded that even the Son of God endured the profound pain of treachery from someone within His inner circle, validating our own hurts when trust is broken. This verse calls us to a deeper trust in God's overarching plan, even when circumstances seem chaotic or unjust. It assures us that God is never caught off guard; His purposes will prevail, and His Word will be fulfilled. Furthermore, it challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we truly "clean" in Christ, or do we harbor hidden motives that could lead to spiritual betrayal? It compels us to cultivate genuine loyalty and integrity in our walk with Christ, recognizing the sacredness of our fellowship with Him and His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' foreknowledge of Judas's betrayal comfort you when facing unexpected difficulties or betrayals in your own life?**
* **In what ways does the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in this verse strengthen your faith in the reliability and authority of the Bible?**
* **Considering the intimacy of "eating bread" with Jesus, what does it mean for you to truly share fellowship with Christ, and how does this challenge you to live faithfully?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus choose Judas if He knew he would betray Him?**

Answer:This is a profound theological question that touches on the mystery of divine sovereignty and human free will. Jesus' choice of Judas, despite His foreknowledge of the betrayal, serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it demonstrates the fulfillment of scripture, as Jesus explicitly states in [John 13:18](/john/13-18 "John 13:18 - Fulfillment of Scripture"). God's plan for redemption, including the suffering and death of His Son, was meticulously foretold, and Judas's role, though wicked, was instrumental in bringing about this divine purpose. Secondly, it highlights the depth of God's love and patience, as Jesus extended the same grace, teaching, and fellowship to Judas as to the other disciples, offering him every opportunity for repentance. Finally, it underscores the reality of human responsibility; Judas made his own choices, driven by his own greed and spiritual darkness, for which he was accountable ([John 6:70-71](/john/6-70-71 "John 6:70-71 - Jesus Knew Who Was a Devil")). Jesus' choice was not an endorsement of sin, but an integration of human sin into a larger redemptive narrative.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 13:18, with its stark declaration of betrayal by an intimate, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not merely in the historical event of Judas's treachery, but in how this act ultimately served God's redemptive purpose through Christ. The "lifting up of the heel" by one who shared bread with Jesus perfectly sets the stage for the ultimate sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). This betrayal, foretold in [Psalm 41:9](/psalm/41-9 "Psalm 41:9 - Prophecy of Betrayal"), was a necessary step on Jesus' path to the cross, where He would become the [atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Christ, the Atoning Sacrifice"). The very act of treachery, born of human sin, was paradoxically woven into God's sovereign plan to bring about salvation. Thus, even in the darkest moment of betrayal, Christ's mission to redeem humanity was being fulfilled, demonstrating that no human wickedness can thwart God's divine will, but rather, God can use all things, even the most heinous, to accomplish His glorious purposes ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work for Good")). The betrayal of Jesus, therefore, is not a sign of weakness, but a testament to the unwavering strength and intentionality of God's love, culminating in the [resurrection and triumph over sin and death](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death Through Christ").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 41:9

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up [his] heel against me.

Matthew 26:23

And he answered and said, He that dippeth [his] hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

John 17:12

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Mark 14:20

And he answered and said unto them, [It is] one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.

John 13:26

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 son] of Simon.

John 13:10

Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash [his] feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

John 13:11

For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.