Holy Week · Wednesday of Holy Week · Year B
John 13:21-32
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
March 24, 2027
Overview & Insights
“Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” (John 13:21)
The common theme of sending supports the view that verses 18–20, despite their apparent reference to the traitor Judas, belong with verses 1–17, not 21–30. In a sense, they serve the same function in relation to verses 12–17 that verse 11 serves in relation to verses 6–10. But it should be noted that the reference to Judas in verses 18–20 is not explicit (in v. 11 it became explicit only as a comment of the narrator). Jesus mentions Judas neither by name nor by such an expression as “he who betrays me” (cf. v. 11). His words do not even have to be understood as referring to one betrayer in particular. Verse 20 suggests that their most immediate application was to the mission of the disciples after Jesus had sent them forth. The three verses are a kind of prophetic oracle, warning of the danger of betrayal among those supposedly committed to Jesus and his mission. There are several New Testament examples of such oracles:
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Commentary
John 13 Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical commentary on Jesus foretelling his betrayal at the table.
Classic commentaries on John 13 BibleHub
Aggregated classic commentaries on Judas leaving into the night.
John 13, Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible StudyLight
Gill's verse-by-verse exposition of chapter 13, a separate commentary voice from the Barnes' Notes entry already listed for this reading.
Background & Word Study
Overview: John BibleProject
An animated overview placing the betrayal at supper within John's passion.
John 13 Resources Precept Austin
Word-study resources for John 13, covering Jesus being troubled in spirit and Judas's departure.
John 13:21 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek interlinear for the verse announcing the betrayal, useful for word study on being troubled in spirit and on betray.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Worship & Prayers
Questions preachers ask
What happens at the supper in John 13?
Troubled in spirit, Jesus foretells his betrayal and gives the morsel to Judas, who goes out into the night as the hour of the cross begins.
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