### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term ψωμίον (psōmíon, `{{G5596}}`) is a diminutive noun derived from a root (likely related to ψώχω, meaning "to rub" or "to crumble"). As a diminutive, it inherently conveys the idea of something small, a fragment, or a little piece. Its core meaning encompasses "a crumb," "a morsel," or "a small piece of food." The Septuagint occasionally uses similar terms for "morsel" or "bite." In the New Testament, its specific usage often implies a piece of bread, particularly one dipped in liquid, hence the traditional translation "sop." This suggests a portion that is easily consumed, perhaps even a delicacy offered in hospitality.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ψωμίον appears exclusively in the Gospel of John, specifically within the profound narrative of the Last Supper.
* [[John 13:26]]: "Jesus answered, 'It is he to whom I will give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.' So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot."
* [[John 13:27]]: "Then after he had taken the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, 'What you are going to do, do quickly.'"
* [[John 13:30]]: "So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out; and it was night."
In this pivotal passage, the ψωμίον serves as the instrument of identification for Jesus' betrayer. The act of dipping a piece of bread and offering it to a guest was a gesture of honor and intimate hospitality in ancient Near Eastern culture. By performing this act for Judas, Jesus not only identifies him but also underscores the profound nature of the betrayal – a treachery committed against a bond of fellowship and intimacy. The giving of the ψωμίον is immediately followed by Satan entering Judas, marking the definitive moment of his surrender to evil and his departure into the symbolic darkness of the night. The physical act of receiving the ψωμίον thus becomes a spiritual turning point for Judas.
### Related Words & Concepts
* ἄρτος (artos, `{{G740}}`): The more general term for "bread," from which a ψωμίον is a small portion. This connection highlights the context of the meal and the broader symbolism of bread in biblical theology (e.g., manna, the Bread of Life).
* δείπνον (deipnon, `{{G1173}}`): "Supper" or "meal," emphasizing the communal and covenantal context in which the ψωμίον is offered.
* Hospitality: The act of dipping and giving a ψωμίον was a customary sign of welcome and honor, making Judas's subsequent betrayal even more heinous.
* Betrayal: The ψωμίον becomes directly linked to the identification of the betrayer, highlighting themes of treachery, divine foreknowledge, and human culpability.
* Satanic Influence: The immediate entry of Satan into Judas after receiving the ψωμίον underscores the spiritual battle at play and the ultimate surrender of Judas to the powers of darkness.
### Theological Significance
The ψωμίον in [[John 13]] carries profound theological weight.
1. **Divine Foreknowledge and Human Agency**: Jesus' deliberate act of giving the ψωμίον demonstrates His full knowledge of Judas's impending betrayal, affirming divine sovereignty. Yet, Judas's choice to act remains his own, emphasizing human responsibility and the tragic exercise of free will.
2. **The Profundity of Betrayal**: The act of betrayal is magnified by its occurrence within a sacred, intimate meal. The ψωμίον, a symbol of fellowship and honor, is tragically perverted into the instrument of identifying the one who breaks the most sacred of bonds. This highlights the heinous nature of treachery against love and trust.
3. **Contrast of Light and Darkness**: The scene culminates with Judas leaving "and it was night" ([[John 13:30]]), a stark symbolic contrast to the light of Christ and the fellowship of the disciples. The ψωμίον marks the precise moment of transition from the light of Christ's presence to the darkness of Judas's definitive act of betrayal.
4. **Echoes of the Eucharist**: While John's Gospel does not recount the institution of the Eucharist in the same way as the Synoptics, the setting of a meal, the breaking of bread (implied by a "piece"), and the profound spiritual significance resonate with the themes of the Lord's Supper. The ψωμίον given to Judas stands in tragic contrast to the bread given to the faithful as Christ's body, highlighting the exclusivity of true communion with Christ.
5. **Christ's Unfathomable Grace**: Even in the face of imminent betrayal, Jesus extends a gesture of intimate hospitality to Judas. This act, though leading to Judas's final decision, can be seen as a final, profound expression of Christ's love and grace, offering a last opportunity for repentance, tragically unheeded.
### Summary
ψωμίον (psōmíon, `{{G5596}}`) denotes a small piece or morsel of food, often a "sop." Its sole New Testament occurrences are in [[John 13:26-30]], where it serves as the specific piece of bread Jesus dips and gives to Judas Iscariot, identifying him as the betrayer. This seemingly minor detail is laden with theological significance. It underscores divine foreknowledge, highlights the profound and tragic nature of betrayal against a bond of intimacy, marks the moment of Judas's complete surrender to Satan, and symbolizes the stark contrast between the light of Christ and the darkness into which Judas departs. The ψωμίον thus functions as a powerful, poignant symbol at the heart of the betrayal narrative, revealing both the depth of human depravity and the boundless, though often rejected, grace of Christ.
TRV