Matthew 26:21

And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

And {G2532} as they {G846} did eat {G2068}, he said {G2036}, Verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, that {G3754} one {G1520} of {G1537} you {G5216} shall betray {G3860} me {G3165}.

and as they were eating, he said, "Yes, I tell you that one of you is going to betray me."

And while they were eating, He said to them, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.”

and as they were eating, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

Commentary

Matthew 26:21 KJV presents a solemn and pivotal moment during the Last Supper, where Jesus reveals a shocking truth to His closest followers. This verse captures the profound tension and sorrow preceding His crucifixion, underscoring themes of divine foreknowledge and human treachery.

Context

This declaration takes place during the Passover meal, often referred to as the Last Supper, held in an upper room in Jerusalem. Jesus is sharing this traditional Jewish feast with His twelve disciples, a symbolic act of fellowship and remembrance. The atmosphere, initially one of sacred tradition, is abruptly shattered by Jesus's revelation, setting the stage for the dramatic events of His passion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Foreknowledge: Jesus's statement demonstrates His complete awareness of future events, including the specific act of betrayal by one of His own inner circle. This highlights His sovereignty and the fulfillment of prophecy, even in the face of human sin.
  • The Shock of Betrayal: The disciples' reaction, as recorded in Matthew 26:22, reveals their deep distress and disbelief that one among them could commit such an act. It emphasizes the profound pain of betrayal from within a trusted relationship.
  • The Nature of Treachery: The verse powerfully illustrates the insidious nature of betrayal, coming from someone who shared intimate moments and meals with Jesus. This act of handing over (Greek: paradidomi) the Messiah for personal gain is a stark reminder of human fallibility and sin.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Verily I say unto you" (Greek: Amen lego hymin) is a characteristic and emphatic declaration used frequently by Jesus, signifying the absolute truth and solemnity of His words. It calls for immediate and serious attention to what follows. The word "betray" (Greek: paradidomi) means to "hand over," "deliver up," or "betray." In this context, it carries the strong connotation of delivering someone to their enemies, specifically for judgment or death, and implies a treacherous act.

Related Scriptures

This prophecy of betrayal is echoed in other Gospel accounts, including Mark 14:18 and Luke 22:21. Jesus's knowledge of the betrayer from the beginning is also highlighted in John 6:64. Furthermore, this event fulfills Old Testament prophecy, notably Psalm 41:9, referenced by Jesus Himself in John 13:18, which speaks of a close friend turning against him. The subsequent identification of Judas Iscariot as the betrayer is detailed in Matthew 26:25.

Practical Application

Matthew 26:21 serves as a powerful reminder of the reality of sin and treachery, even within close communities. It encourages believers to examine their own hearts for hidden motives and to cultivate genuine loyalty and faithfulness. For those who have experienced betrayal, Jesus's response—facing it with calm resolve and divine purpose—offers a model of grace and steadfastness. It also underscores that even the darkest human acts are within God's sovereign plan to accomplish His ultimate redemptive purposes.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 13:21

    When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

  • John 6:70

    Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

  • John 6:71

    He spake of Judas Iscariot [the son] of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

  • Hebrews 4:13

    Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

  • Revelation 2:23

    And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

  • Psalms 55:12

    For [it was] not an enemy [that] reproached me; then I could have borne [it]: neither [was it] he that hated me [that] did magnify [himself] against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

  • Psalms 55:14

    We took sweet counsel together, [and] walked unto the house of God in company.
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