John 13:30

He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

He {G1565} then {G3767} having received {G2983} the sop {G5596} went {G1831} immediately {G2112} out {G1831}: and {G1161} it was {G2258} night {G3571}.

As soon as he had taken the piece of matzah, Y’hudah went out, and it was night.

As soon as he had received the morsel, Judas went out into the night.

He then having received the sop went out straightway: and it was night.

John 13:30 marks a pivotal and somber moment during the Last Supper, signifying the immediate departure of Judas Iscariot to carry out his betrayal of Jesus Christ. This brief verse, "He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night," is loaded with historical, spiritual, and symbolic significance.

Context

This verse follows Jesus's revelation to His disciples that one of them would betray Him. After Peter prompts John to ask who the betrayer is, Jesus identifies the one by giving him a "sop"—a piece of bread dipped in sauce. Though an act that could be seen as a gesture of intimacy in a shared meal, it served as the definitive sign. Just prior to this, John 13:27 explicitly states that Satan entered Judas after he received the sop. Thus, Judas's immediate exit is not a casual departure but the commencement of the dark plot to hand Jesus over to His enemies.

Key Themes

  • The Culmination of Betrayal: Judas's act of receiving the sop and immediately departing seals his decision to betray Jesus. This moment represents the point of no return for him, moving from intention to action.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge: Despite the heinous nature of Judas's act, Jesus was fully aware of it and even orchestrated the timing, fulfilling prophecy. This highlights Jesus's divine control over events, even those intended for evil (John 13:11).
  • The Symbolism of Night: The phrase "and it was night" is profoundly symbolic. Beyond the literal darkness of the hour, it represents the spiritual darkness that Judas was entering, the triumph of evil forces, and the beginning of Jesus's "hour of darkness" (Luke 22:53), leading to His arrest and crucifixion. It contrasts sharply with Jesus, who is the Light of the World.

Linguistic Insights

The term "sop" (Greek: psōmion) refers to a morsel or piece of bread, often dipped in a dish. In ancient dining customs, offering a sop was sometimes a gesture of honor or special attention from the host. However, in this context, it becomes the signal for the betrayer, making the act even more poignant given the intimacy of sharing a meal.

Related Scriptures

The betrayal of Jesus by a close associate was prophesied in the Old Testament, notably in Psalm 41:9, "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." Jesus's direct identification of the betrayer is detailed in John 13:26. Judas's departure sets the stage for Jesus's final discourses with His disciples, including the giving of the new commandment to love one another.

Practical Application

John 13:30 serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of choosing spiritual darkness over light. Judas's immediate exit into the night symbolizes a decisive turning away from Christ and into the enemy's grasp. For believers, this verse underscores the importance of guarding one's heart against compromise and the subtle influences of evil. It also highlights Jesus's unwavering resolve and divine control, even in the face of the deepest betrayal, offering comfort that God's plan will prevail regardless of human choices, whether good or ill. We are called to walk in the light and not allow darkness to consume us (1 John 1:6).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 59:7

    Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts [are] thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction [are] in their paths.

  • Job 24:13

    ¶ They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.

  • Job 24:15

    The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth [his] face.

  • Luke 22:53

    When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

  • Romans 3:15

    Their feet [are] swift to shed blood:

  • Proverbs 4:16

    For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall.
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