Matthew 26:24

The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: 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.

{G3303} The Son {G5207} of man {G444} goeth {G5217} as {G2531} it is written {G1125} of {G4012} him {G846}: but {G1161} woe {G3759} unto that {G1565} man {G444} by {G1223} whom {G3739} the Son {G5207} of man {G444} is betrayed {G3860}! it had been {G2258} good {G2570} for that {G1565} man {G846} if {G1487} he {G444} had {G1080} not {G3756} been born {G1080}.

The Son of Man will die just as the Tanakh says he will; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him had he never been born!"

The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

The Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born.

Matthew 26:24 captures a pivotal and deeply somber moment during the Last Supper, as Jesus speaks openly about His impending betrayal and the tragic fate of His betrayer. This verse immediately follows Jesus's declaration that one of His disciples would betray Him (Matthew 26:21).

Context

This statement is made in the intimate setting of the Passover meal with His twelve disciples, just hours before His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus is revealing the divine necessity of His suffering and death, while simultaneously highlighting the profound culpability of the one who would hand Him over. It sets the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the crucifixion, even as it underscores the dark choice made by Judas Iscariot.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Prophecy Fulfillment: Jesus affirms that His suffering and death are not accidental but are part of God's predetermined plan, "as it is written of him." This points to numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering and sacrifice (e.g., Isaiah 53, Psalm 22). God's plan for salvation through Christ's death was set long before its execution.
  • Human Responsibility and Culpability: Despite the divine plan, the verse unequivocally places full responsibility and condemnation upon Judas. His act of betrayal was a conscious choice, not a robotic fulfillment of prophecy. The "woe" pronounced upon him emphasizes the severity of his actions.
  • The Gravity of Betrayal: Betraying an innocent person is grievous, but betraying the Son of Man—God incarnate—is an act of unparalleled wickedness. This betrayal led directly to the crucifixion of the Savior of the world.
  • Eternal Judgment and Dire Consequences: The phrase "it had been good for that man if he had not been born" is one of the Bible's most chilling pronouncements. It signifies a state of such profound and eternal condemnation that non-existence would have been preferable. This powerfully illustrates the ultimate, tragic outcome for those who reject or betray Christ, facing a judgment far worse than any earthly suffering.

Linguistic Insights

The title "Son of man" (Greek: ho huios tou anthrōpou) is Jesus's favored self-designation, emphasizing both His true humanity and His divine, messianic authority as prophesied in Daniel 7:13-14. The word "woe" (Greek: ouai) is a strong interjection of grief, denunciation, and impending judgment. It's not merely an expression of sadness, but a solemn declaration of divine displeasure and the terrible fate awaiting the recipient. This term highlights the severity of Judas's impending doom.

Related Scriptures

  • For other insights into Jesus's awareness of His betrayer, see John 13:21.
  • The tragic end of Judas Iscariot is recounted in Matthew 27:5 and Acts 1:18-19.
  • The principle of consequences for sin and the wages of sin are further explored in Romans 6:23.
  • Jesus's teaching on the necessity of His suffering and fulfillment of prophecy is also seen in Luke 24:44.

Practical Application

Matthew 26:24 serves as a profound warning about the spiritual consequences of choices. While God's plan is sovereign, human beings remain morally accountable for their actions. It underscores the immense value of faithfulness and the severe judgment for those who knowingly betray Christ or His truth. This verse calls believers to examine their own hearts, ensuring their allegiance to Jesus is genuine and unwavering, and to consider the eternal implications of their decisions.

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.

  • Luke 24:46

    And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

  • Acts 26:22

    Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

  • Acts 26:23

    That Christ should suffer, [and] that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

  • Matthew 18:7

    Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

  • 1 Corinthians 15:3

    For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

  • Matthew 26:54

    But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

  • Luke 22:22

    And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

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