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John 13:21

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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.

When Jesus {G2424} had {G2036} thus {G5023} said {G2036}, he was troubled {G5015} in spirit {G4151}, and {G2532} testified {G3140}, and {G2532} said {G2036}, Verily {G281}, verily {G281}, I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, that {G3754} one {G1520} of {G1537} you {G5216} shall betray {G3860} me {G3165}.

After saying this, Yeshua, in deep anguish of spirit, declared, “Yes, indeed! I tell you that one of you will betray me.”

After Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit and testified, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray Me.”

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

Commentary

John 13:21 captures a poignant and deeply unsettling moment during Jesus' final Passover meal with His disciples, often referred to as the Last Supper. This verse immediately follows Jesus' humble act of washing His disciples' feet, a powerful lesson in servant leadership (John 13:1-20).

Context

The atmosphere in the upper room shifts dramatically from intimate instruction to profound sorrow. Having just taught them about humility and mutual service, Jesus now reveals a painful truth that shatters the peace. This declaration sets the stage for the identification of the betrayer and the subsequent events leading to His crucifixion. The disciples, unaware of the specific identity, would have been filled with confusion and self-doubt, as seen in John 13:22.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Humanity and Emotional Depth: The phrase "troubled in spirit" reveals Jesus' profound human sorrow and distress. This was not a casual statement but one born out of deep anguish, knowing the betrayal was imminent and the betrayer was one of His own chosen disciples. It underscores His full humanity, experiencing the pain of treachery just as any person would.
  • Divine Foreknowledge and Prophetic Fulfillment: Jesus' declaration is a clear demonstration of His divine foreknowledge. He knows precisely what is about to happen and who will do it, even before it unfolds. This prophecy is a fulfillment of Old Testament scriptures, particularly Psalm 41:9, which speaks of a close friend lifting up his heel against Him.
  • The Reality of Betrayal: The verse starkly presents the painful reality of betrayal, especially from within a trusted circle. It highlights the darkness of sin even amidst light and truth. This betrayal by Judas Iscariot was a pre-ordained part of God's plan for salvation, yet Judas remained fully responsible for his choice.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "troubled" is tarasso (ταράσσω), which means to stir up, agitate, or cause inward commotion. It is used elsewhere in John's Gospel to describe Jesus' deep emotional turmoil, such as at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:33) and when contemplating His impending death (John 12:27). This emphasizes the profound spiritual and emotional burden Jesus carried, not just the physical suffering to come.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that even Jesus, who was God incarnate, experienced deep emotional pain and the sting of betrayal. It offers comfort and understanding for those who have faced treachery, affirming that our Lord understands such suffering intimately. It also serves as a sober reminder of the pervasive nature of sin, even within religious communities, and the importance of self-examination and faithfulness in our walk with Christ. Just as Jesus knew His betrayer, God has full knowledge of our hearts and actions (Hebrews 4:13).

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Matthew 26:21 (7 votes)

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

  • John 13:18 (6 votes)

    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.

  • Mark 14:18 (6 votes)

    And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

  • Luke 22:21 (4 votes)

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

  • Luke 22:22 (4 votes)

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

  • John 12:27 (4 votes)

    Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

  • John 11:33 (3 votes)

    ¶ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,