Matthew 26:23

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he answered {G611} and said {G2036}, He that dippeth {G1686} his hand {G5495} with {G3326} me {G1700} in {G1722} the dish {G5165}, the same {G3778} shall betray {G3860} me {G3165}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He answered, "The one who dips his matzah in the dish with me is the one who will betray me.

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with Me will betray Me.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 26:23, during the solemn Passover meal, Jesus responds to His disciples' anxious inquiries by subtly yet definitively identifying His betrayer. This pivotal declaration points to one who shares an intimate bond of fellowship with Him, revealing the profound depth of the impending treachery and underscoring Jesus' divine foreknowledge and sovereign control over the unfolding events of His passion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the immediate narrative of the Last Supper, following Jesus' announcement that one of His disciples would betray Him, which deeply distressed them and prompted their individual questions, "Is it I, Lord?" ([Matthew 26:22](/matthew/26-22 "Matthew 26:22 - Disciples' Distress")). Jesus' response in Matthew 26:23 narrows the field without explicitly naming Judas, setting the stage for the subsequent explicit identification in [Matthew 26:25](/matthew/26-25 "Matthew 26:25 - Judas Identified") and the institution of the Lord's Supper immediately thereafter ([Matthew 26:26-29](/matthew/26-26-29 "Matthew 26:26-29 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")). This sequence highlights the stark contrast between the ultimate act of self-giving love (the Supper) and the ultimate act of betrayal.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Passover Seder, a foundational Jewish feast commemorating Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage. Central to this communal meal was the practice of dipping bread or herbs into various dishes, such as bitter herbs (maror) or a sweet fruit paste (charoset), and sharing from a common bowl. This act was deeply symbolic of unity, trust, and shared life among participants. For Jesus to identify His betrayer as "He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish" would have been particularly shocking within this cultural framework, as it signified a profound violation of the sacred bond of hospitality and fellowship. The intimate act of sharing a meal, a sign of covenant and friendship in ancient Near Eastern culture, is tragically inverted into a sign of ultimate treachery.

* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader narrative of [Matthew's Gospel](/matthew "The Gospel According to Matthew"). Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge**, as Jesus demonstrates His complete awareness of the betrayal, affirming that His suffering and death are not accidental but part of God's predetermined plan. Another prominent theme is **Intimacy and Betrayal**, highlighting the profound pain of treachery originating from within one's closest circle, a theme echoed in [Psalm 41:9](/psalms/41-9 "Psalm 41:9 - Betrayal by a Friend") which Jesus Himself quotes in [John 13:18](/john/13-18 "John 13:18 - Jesus Quotes Psalm 41:19"). Finally, the verse subtly underscores the **Gravity of Sin and Human Responsibility**, as Judas's choice, though foreknown, remains his own culpable act, leading to severe consequences as seen later in [Matthew 27:3-5](/matthew/27-3-5 "Matthew 27:3-5 - Judas's Remorse and Death").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **dippeth (Greek, _embáptō'_):** From _en_ (in) and _báptō_ (to dip, dye). This verb signifies the act of immersing or wetting a part of something by contact with a fluid. In this context, it refers to the common practice during the Passover meal of dipping bread or herbs into a communal dish. The act itself is ordinary, but Jesus' specific reference to it elevates it to a sign of profound intimacy and, tragically, the locus of betrayal.
* **dish (Greek, _trýblion'_):** This noun refers to a bowl or a common dish, typically used for serving food at a meal. Its presence emphasizes the shared, communal nature of the Passover Seder. The "dish" represents the shared life, fellowship, and trust among those partaking in the meal, making the betrayal from within this shared space all the more poignant and shocking.
* **betray (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** From _pará_ (beside, by) and _dídōmi_ (to give). This verb means to surrender, yield up, entrust, or transmit. While it can have neutral meanings (e.g., "deliver over"), in this context, it carries the sinister connotation of handing over someone to an enemy, implying treachery and disloyalty. It describes Judas's act of delivering Jesus into the hands of those who sought to kill Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he answered and said,"**: This phrase indicates Jesus' direct response to the disciples' collective question, "Is it I, Lord?" ([Matthew 26:22](/matthew/26-22 "Matthew 26:22 - The Disciples' Question")). It highlights His deliberate and authoritative communication, providing a veiled but specific clue about the betrayer.
* **"He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish,"**: This clause serves as the identifying mark of the betrayer. It points to an individual who is not merely present at the meal but is engaged in an intimate act of shared fellowship with Jesus, partaking from the same communal bowl. This detail emphasizes the close relationship and trust that existed between Jesus and Judas, making the impending betrayal a profound act of disloyalty from within His inner circle.
* **"the same shall betray me."**: This is the damning pronouncement. The one identified by the intimate act of sharing the dish is unequivocally declared to be the one who will "betray" Jesus. The future tense "shall betray" underscores the certainty of the event, reinforcing Jesus' foreknowledge and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 26:23 masterfully employs several literary devices to heighten the drama and theological impact of the moment. **Irony** is powerfully present, as the most intimate act of shared fellowship—dipping from the same dish—becomes the very sign by which the betrayer is identified. This stark contrast between expected loyalty and impending treachery underscores the heinousness of Judas's act. **Foreshadowing** is also evident, as Jesus' statement subtly points to the betrayer without explicitly naming him, building suspense and confirming His divine foreknowledge of the events to come. This partial revelation anticipates the full disclosure in [Matthew 26:25](/matthew/26-25 "Matthew 26:25 - Judas's Question and Jesus' Answer"). Finally, the **Symbolism** of the shared dish is crucial; it represents unity, trust, and covenant in ancient culture, making its desecration by an act of betrayal all the more poignant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 26:23 profoundly illustrates the depth of human depravity and the unwavering sovereignty of God. Jesus' foreknowledge of His betrayal, even down to the intimate detail of sharing a dish, demonstrates that His passion was not an unforeseen tragedy but a divinely ordained fulfillment of prophecy. This act of betrayal, coming from one of His closest companions, underscores the painful reality that sin can corrupt even the most privileged positions and intimate relationships. Yet, Jesus' calm declaration in the face of such treachery speaks volumes about His divine control and His willingness to endure immense suffering for the salvation of humanity. It highlights the stark contrast between human sinfulness and divine faithfulness.

* [Psalm 41:9](/psalms/41-9 "Psalm 41:9 - Betrayal by a Trusted Friend")
* [John 13:21-30](/john/13-21-30 "John 13:21-30 - Jesus Identifies the Betrayer")
* [Acts 1:16-20](/acts/1-16-20 "Acts 1:16-20 - Judas's Fate and Replacement")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 26:23 serves as a profound call to self-examination and a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty. Just as the disciples, in their distress, asked, "Is it I, Lord?" ([Matthew 26:22](/matthew/26-22 "Matthew 26:22 - Disciples' Self-Examination")), this verse compels us to honestly assess our own hearts and allegiances. It challenges us to consider if there are any areas of our lives where we might, even subtly, betray Christ through our actions, attitudes, or priorities. The intimacy of the shared dish reminds us that spiritual danger can arise from within the closest circles, necessitating vigilance and discernment. Ultimately, Jesus' foreknowledge in the face of betrayal offers immense comfort, assuring us that even the darkest human acts cannot thwart God's redemptive plan. It calls us to trust in His sovereign control, even when circumstances seem chaotic or unjust, and to remain faithful in our own discipleship, recognizing the immense cost of His love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like the disciples, be prone to self-deception or blind spots regarding my own loyalty to Christ?**
* **How does Jesus' foreknowledge of His betrayal strengthen my faith in God's ultimate control over all circumstances, even difficult ones?**
* **What does the intimacy of the shared dish, followed by betrayal, teach me about the nature of true fellowship and the dangers of hypocrisy within the church?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus not explicitly name Judas at this point?**

Answer: Jesus' initial veiled identification in [Matthew 26:23](/matthew/26-23 "Matthew 26:23 - The First Hint") served multiple purposes. It heightened the dramatic tension and allowed the disciples to continue their self-examination, fulfilling prophecy without prematurely exposing Judas to the group's wrath. It also underscored Jesus' divine foreknowledge, demonstrating that He was in control of the situation and willingly walked the path of suffering. The more explicit identification comes shortly after, in [Matthew 26:25](/matthew/26-25 "Matthew 26:25 - Judas's Question and Jesus' Reply"), when Judas himself asks the question, to which Jesus responds, "Thou hast said." This gradual revelation emphasizes Jesus' sovereignty and the deliberate unfolding of God's plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 26:23, though a moment of profound human treachery, is ultimately a testament to Christ's divine sovereignty and His purposeful journey to the cross. Jesus' foreknowledge of His betrayer, identified through the intimate act of sharing a meal, reveals that His suffering was not a random misfortune but a preordained step in God's redemptive plan. This verse foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), demonstrating that even the darkest human sin could not derail God's saving purposes. Jesus willingly submitted to this betrayal, laying down His life not because it was taken from Him, but because He chose to give it ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")). His endurance of this intimate betrayal, a fulfillment of prophecies like [Psalm 41:9](/psalms/41-9 "Psalm 41:9 - Betrayal by a Trusted Friend"), underscores the depth of His love for humanity, a love that "demonstrates its own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Thus, Judas's betrayal, though heinous, becomes a dark backdrop against which the radiant light of Christ's sacrificial love and perfect obedience shines all the more brightly, leading to the atonement that secures salvation for all who believe.

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

John 13:18

¶ 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.

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.

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 13:28

Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.

Luke 22:21

¶ But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me [is] with me on the table.