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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 26:20 - 26:25
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_26:20-25
20Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. 21As they were eating, He said, "Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me." 22Being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, "Surely not I, Lord?" 23And He answered, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. 24The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born." 25And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" Jesus said to him, "You have said it yourself."
Mat_26:20 "reclining at the table" Tables and chairs were only used in Egypt in this period of time. In Palestine they laid on their left elbows at a low table with their feet behind them (cf. Mar_14:18). This is how Mary could easily anoint His feet (cf. Joh_12:3).
Mat_26:21 "betray" This is the Greek term "to give over" (paradidômi). It is always translated "betray" by English Bibles, but this is not an established meaning. It can mean
1. a positive meaning of entrust (cf. Mat_11:27)
2. restore or commend (cf. Act_14:26; Act_15:40)
3. a negative sense of to hand someone over to the authorities
4. to put someone in Satan's hands (cf. 1Co_5:5; 1Ti_1:20)
5. for God to abandon someone to his own idolatry (cf. Act_7:42)
It is obvious that context must determine the meaning of the common verb.
Mat_26:22 "Surely not I, Lord" Each disciple asked the question. The Greek grammatical construction expected a negative answer. Their asking the question shows their confusion.
Mat_26:23 "He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me" For one to betray a host was the height of shame in the East (cf. Psa_41:9). Judas had the seat of honor next to Jesus on His left side. Jesus was still trying to reach Judas!
▣ "the bowl" This was a traditional Passover sauce of nuts, raisins, dates, figs, and vinegar.
Mat_26:24 Jesus knew who He was and what He must do (cf. Joh_13:1). Jesus came to reveal God, to give mankind an example to follow, and to die for their sin (cf. Mar_10:45; Act_2:23-24; 2Co_5:21). His life was revealed in OT prophecy (cf. Mat_26:31; Mat_26:54; Mat_26:56; Mat_11:10; Mat_21:42).
▣ "if" This is a second class conditional sentence. Judas'betrayal was a necessary, predicted act for which he will suffer the punishment. This is the mystery of election and free will!
Mat_26:25 "Surely it is not I, Rabbi" Note Judas used the title "rabbi" (i.e., my teacher) not "Lord" as the other disciples had.
▣ "You have said it yourself" Jesus was still trying to reach Judas. The idiomatic phrase was also used in Mat_26:64; Mat_27:11.