TRV
“Preparation for the Passover”· Matthew 26:17–25
Translation
King James Version
And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
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.
World English Bible Messianic
He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same will betray me.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And hee answered and sayde, Hee that dippeth his hande with me in the dish, hee shall betraie me.
Young's Literal Translation
And he answering said, `He who did dip with me the hand in the dish, he will deliver me up;
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Historical interpretation
Six Centuries of Reception
10 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
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Such is the wont of men of exceeding wickedness, to plot against those of whose bread and salt they have partaken, and especially those who have no enmity against them. But if we take it of the spiritual table, and the spiritual food, we shall see the more abundant and overflowing measure of this man's wickedness, who called to mind neither his Master's love in providing carnal goods, nor His teaching in things spiritual. Such are all in the Church who lay snares for their brethren whom they continually meet at the same table of Christ's Body.
"Now when the even was come, He sat down with the twelve disciples." Oh the shamelessness of Judas! For he too was present there, and came to partake both of the mysteries, and of the meal, and is convicted at the very table, when although he had been a wild beast, he would have become tame.
For this cause the evangelist also signifies, that while they are eating, Christ speaks of His betrayal, that both by the time and by the table he might show the wickedness of the traitor.
For when the disciples had done, as Jesus had appointed them, "when the even was come, He sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, He said," we are told, "Verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me." And before the supper, He had even washed his feet. And see how He spares the traitor. For He said not, such a one shall betray me; but, "one of you," so as again to give him power of repentance by concealment. And He chooseth to alarm all, for the sake of saving this man. Of you, the twelve, saith He, that are everywhere present with me, whose feet I washed, to whom I promised so many things.
Intolerable sorrow thereupon seized that holy company. And John indeed saith, they "were in doubt, and looked one upon another," and each of them asked in fear concerning himself, although conscious to themselves of no such thing. But this evangelist saith, that "being exceeding sorrowful, they began every one of them to say unto Him, Is it I, Lord?"
Mark at what time He discovered him. It was when it was His will to deliver the rest from this trouble, for they were even dead with the fear, wherefore also they were instant with their questions. But not only as desiring to deliver them from their distress He did this, but also as willing to amend the traitor. For since after having often heard it generally, he continued incorrigible, being past feeling, He being minded to make him feel more, takes off his mask.
For when being sorrowful they began to say, "Is it I, Lord?" He answered and said, "He that dippeth with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of Man goeth, as it is written of Him, but woe to the man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It had been good for that man if he had not been born."
Now some say that he was so bold as not to honor his Master, but to dip with Him: but to me Christ seems to have done this too, to shame him the more, and bring him over to a better disposition. For this act again has something more in it.
But these things we ought not to pass by at random, but they should be infixed in our minds, and wrath would find no place at any time.
For who, bearing in mind that supper, and the traitor sitting at meat with the Saviour of all, and Him who was to be betrayed thus meekly reasoning, would not put away all venom of wrath and anger? See at any rate how meekly He conducts Himself towards him, "The Son of Man goeth, as it is written of Him."
And these things again He said, both to restore the disciples, that they might not think the thing was a sign of weakness, and to amend the traitor.
"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." See again in His rebukes His unspeakable meekness. For not even here with invective, but more in the way of compassion, doth He apply what He saith, but in a disguised way again; and yet not his former senselessness only, but his subsequent shamelessness was deserving of the utmost indignation. For after this conviction he saith, "Is it I, Lord?" Oh insensibility! He inquires, when conscious to himself of such things. For the evangelist too, marvelling at his boldness, saith this. What then saith the most mild and gentle Jesus? "Thou sayest." And yet He might have said, O thou unholy, thou all unholy one; accursed, and profane; so long a time in travail with mischief, who hast gone thy way, and made satanical compacts, and hast agreed to receive money, and hast been convicted by me too, dost thou yet dare to ask? But none of these things did He say; but how? "Thou sayest?" fixing for us bounds and rules of long suffering.
But some one will say, Yet if it was written that He was to suffer these things, wherefore is Judas blamed, for he did the things that were written? But not with this intent, but from wickedness. For if thou inquire not concerning the motive, thou wilt deliver even the devil from the charges against him. But these things are not, they are not so. For both the one and the other are deserving of countless punishments, although the world was saved. For neither did the treason of Judas work out salvation for us, but the wisdom of Christ, and the good contrivance of His fair skill, using the wickednesses of others for our advantage.
The Evangelist relates how as they sat at meat, Jesus declares Judas' treachery, that the wickedness of the betrayer may be more apparent from the season and the circumstances.
I rather think that Christ did this out of regard for him, and to bring him to a better mind.
This He said to comfort His disciples, that they might not think that it was through weakness that He suffered; and at the same time for the correction of His betrayer. And notwithstanding His Passion had been foretold, Judas is still guilty; and not his betrayal wrought our salvation, but God's providence, which used the sins of others to our profit.
Though the Lord could have said, Hast thou covenanted to receive silver, and darest to ask Me this? But Jesus, most merciful, said nothing of all this, therein laying down for us rules and landmarks of endurance of evil. He saith unto him, Thou hast said.
For when being sorrowful they began to say, "Is it I, Lord?" He answered and said, "He that dippeth with me in the dish, the same shall betray me."
Now some say that he was so bold as not to honor his Master, but to dip with Him: but to me Christ seems to have done this too, to shame him the more, and bring him over to a better disposition. For this act again has something more in it.
But these things we ought not to pass by at random, but they should be infixed in our minds, and wrath would find no place at any time.
For who, bearing in mind that supper, and the traitor sitting at meat with the Saviour of all, and Him who was to be betrayed thus meekly reasoning, would not put away all venom of wrath and anger? See at any rate how meekly He conducts Himself towards him.
The Lord had above foretold His Passion, He now foretels who is to be the traitor; thus giving him place of repentance, when he should see that his thoughts and the secret designs of his heart were known.
Judas acts in every thing to remove all suspicion of his treachery.
O wonderful endurance of the Lord, He had said before, One of you shall betray me. The traitor perseveres in his wickedness; He designates him more particularly, yet not by name. For Judas, while the rest were sorrowful, and withdrew their hands, and bid away the food from their mouths, with the same hardihood and recklessness which led him to betray Him, reached forth his hand into the dish with his Master, passing off his audacity as a good conscience.
Judas, not withheld by either the first or second warning, perseveres in his treachery; the Lord's long-suffering nourishes his audacity. Now then his punishment is foretold, that denunciations of wrath may correct where good feeling has no power.
We are not to infer from this that man has a being before birth; for it cannot be well with any man till he has a being; it simply implies that it is better not to be, than to be in evil.
His question feigns either great respect, or a hypocritical incredulousness. The rest who were not to betray Him, said only Lord; the actual traitor addresses Him as Master, as though it were some excuse that he denied Him as Lord, and betrayed a Master only.
The others were grieved and very much saddened as they questioned Christ: “Surely, Lord, you don’t mean me?” Lest he seem to betray himself by keeping silent, he too, whose conscience was troubling him and who had boldly placed his hand in the dish, questioned him: “Surely, teacher, you don’t mean me?” To this he added lip homage and a show of incredulity. The others, who were not traitors, said, “Surely, Lord, you don’t mean me?” He who was the traitor did not call him Lord but teacher, as if to have an excuse, upon rejecting the Lord, for having betrayed at most a teacher. “Jesus answered, ‘You have said so.’ ” The traitor was put to shame by the same response Christ would later give to Pilate.
(Verse 23) But He answering, said: He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me. Oh, the wondrous patience of the Lord! He had said first: one of you shall betray me. The traitor persists in evil, making it more evident, yet without clearly indicating his name. With the others saddened, holding back their hands, and denying the food to his mouth, with audacity and impudence, by which he was to betray, he even sends his hand into the dish with the master, in order to falsely testify to a clear conscience.
(Serm. 58.3.) He shows that the conscience of His betrayer was known to Him, not meeting his wickedness with a harsh and open rebuke, that penitence might find a readier way to one who had not been disgraced by public dismissal.
With the twelve, it is said, for Judas was personally among them, though he had ceased to be so in merit.
And it is beautifully said, When even was come, because it was in the evening that the Lamb was wont to be slain.
It belongs to human nature to come and go, Divine nature remains ever the same. So because His human nature could suffer and die, therefore of the Son of Man it is well said that he goeth. He says plainly, As it is written of him, for all that He suffered had been foretold by the Prophets.
Woe also to all who draw near to Christ's table with an evil and defiled conscience! who though they do not deliver Christ to the Jews to be crucified, deliver Him to their own sinful members to be taken. He adds, to give more emphasis, Good were it for that man if he had never been born.
Which may be understood thus; Thou sayest it, and thou sayest what is true; or, Thou hast said this, not I; leaving him room for repentance so long as his villainy was not publicly exposed.
For this reason also, because in Christ's Passion, wherein the true sun hasted to his setting, eternal refreshment was made ready for all believers.
What Matthew calls 'paropsis,' Mark calls 'catinus.' The 'paropsis' is a square dish for meat, 'catinus,' an earthen vessel for containing fluids; this then might be a square earthen vessel.
This might have been so said by Judas, and answered by the Lord as not to be overheard by the rest.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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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). 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 and the institution of the Lord's Supper immediately thereafter (Matthew 26:26-29). 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. 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 which Jesus Himself quotes in John 13:18. 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.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
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.
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.
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). 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. 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.
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), 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
FAQ
Why did Jesus not explicitly name Judas at this point?
Jesus' initial veiled identification in Matthew 26:23 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, 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, 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). His endurance of this intimate betrayal, a fulfillment of prophecies like Psalm 41:9, 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). 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.