John 13 2

John 13:2 kjv

And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;

John 13:2 nkjv

And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him,

John 13:2 niv

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.

John 13:2 esv

During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him,

John 13:2 nlt

It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.

John 13 verses

John 13 2 Meaning

John 13:2 describes a pivotal moment during the Last Supper: the devil had already put the idea of betraying Jesus into the heart of Judas Iscariot. This verse highlights the pre-meditated nature of the betrayal, orchestrated by Satan's influence, but also accepted and carried out by Judas's will. It underscores the spiritual conflict underlying the physical events, with supernatural forces actively involved in human affairs, setting the stage for Jesus's impending suffering and glorification.

John 13 2 Context

John 13 initiates the deeply intimate "Upper Room Discourse," beginning with the Last Supper. Jesus is acutely aware that "His hour has come" to depart from this world to the Father (v. 1). Despite this weighty knowledge, His focus remains on His disciples, whom He "loved to the end." Immediately following this profound statement of selfless love, verse 2 reveals the dark counter-movement: the devil's firm intention to use Judas to betray Jesus. This juxtaposition highlights the contrast between divine love and human sin manipulated by evil. Historically, the Last Supper likely occurred during Passover, a time when Jewish families remembered God's deliverance. The impending betrayal stands in stark contrast to this sacred celebration, injecting the shadow of profound spiritual opposition into a meal of covenant and intimacy. The deliberate mentioning of "the devil" provides a spiritual understanding, framing the events not merely as political or personal conflict, but as a direct confrontation between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness.

John 13 2 Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction, connecting this verse to the preceding one, emphasizing that even as Jesus demonstrated ultimate love, this betrayal was simultaneously underway.
• supper (δείπνου - deipnou): Refers to the evening meal. While some translations say "ended," the Greek genitive absolute `δείπνου γενομένου` (deipnou genomenou) is more accurately rendered as "while supper was taking place" or "supper having occurred/happening." This indicates the devil's instigation occurred during the intimate setting of the Last Supper, not afterward. This detail heightens the drama and tragic irony of the situation, showing Jesus's self-giving love (e.g., washing feet) happening concurrently with the plot against Him.
• the devil (τοῦ διαβόλου - tou diabolou): Refers specifically to Satan, the arch-adversary of God and humanity. The Greek word diabolos means "slanderer" or "accuser." This identification unequivocally points to a malevolent, supernatural entity as the orchestrator of the betrayal, not merely human sin or political machination in isolation. It reveals the cosmic struggle at play.
• having already (ἤδη - ēdē): A crucial temporal adverb, meaning "already" or "by this time." It emphasizes that this idea of betrayal was not a spontaneous thought that arose during the supper, but had been instilled by the devil before this moment. It signifies a completed action with continuing effect, indicating a period of influence and predisposition in Judas's heart.
• put it into (βεβληκότος εἰς - beblēkotos eis): This is a strong expression. Beblēkotos (from ballō) means "having cast," "thrown," or "implanted." The perfect active participle indicates a completed act with continuing results – the devil had firmly cast the idea. It is more than just suggesting; it signifies a forceful implantation, like a seed planted or a weapon thrown, into the core of Judas's being.
• the heart (τὴν καρδίαν - tēn kardian): In biblical thought, the "heart" is not merely the seat of emotions but the totality of a person's inner being—the center of intellect, will, reason, conscience, and moral character. For the devil to "put it into the heart" means influencing Judas at the deepest level of his decision-making and intentions.
• Judas Iscariot, Simon's son (Ἰούδα Σίμωνος Ἰσκαριώτου - Iouda Simōnos Iskariōtou): Specific identification to distinguish him from others named Judas. "Iscariot" likely refers to his origin from Kerioth in Judea, contrasting him with the Galilean disciples. The full name highlights his unique, tragic role.
• to betray (ἵνα αὐτὸν παραδῷ - hina auton paradō): The purpose clause (`hina`) explains the content of the devil's implantation: to betray or to hand Him over. Paradidomi (παραδίδωμι) can mean to "hand over," "deliver up," or "betray." In this context, it unambiguously refers to the treacherous act of delivering Jesus into the hands of His enemies for arrest and execution.

• "And supper being ended/taking place": This phrase marks the precise timing of Satan's full influence in Judas. Many scholarly interpretations emphasize "supper taking place" (not "ended"), indicating that as Jesus, the Master, was engaged in the ultimate act of servant leadership by washing His disciples' feet, the forces of evil were simultaneously solidifying their plan of betrayal through Judas. This creates a profound juxtaposition of light and darkness.
• "the devil having already put it into the heart": This grouping highlights the spiritual source of the evil and its entrenched nature within Judas. The perfect tense ("having already put") reveals a prolonged process of corruption, not an instant suggestion. Satan's work was systematic, planting the initial thought and cultivating the disposition to betray, even before the specific act unfolded. It suggests Judas's ongoing receptiveness to such influence.
• "Judas Iscariot... to betray Him": This combination specifies the agent of betrayal and its target. Judas is explicitly identified as the instrument through whom the devil acts. It emphasizes that while the devil originated the evil impulse, Judas made the decisive choice to comply, bearing responsibility for his actions. The purpose was to "betray Him," signaling the grave and ultimate act of treachery against Jesus.

John 13 2 Bonus section

The concept of Satan "putting it into the heart" can be distinguished from Satan "entering" someone. While John 13:2 describes Satan implanting the idea into Judas's heart, later in John 13:27, it states that "Satan entered into him" after Judas received the piece of bread from Jesus. Scholars often see this as a progression: first, a suggestion or influence, then, upon acceptance and hardening of the heart, a deeper, more profound indwelling or control. This distinction highlights a tragic trajectory in Judas's life, where a subtle, persuasive temptation led to a full surrender to evil. Judas’s pre-existing inclinations, perhaps related to greed (Jn 12:6), made him fertile ground for the devil's initial suggestions. The perfect tense βεβληκότος implies this long-standing influence. The contrast with Jesus’s perfect love and humble service in the same setting serves as a powerful spiritual object lesson on choosing divine wisdom over Satanic enticement.

John 13 2 Commentary

John 13:2 presents a chilling insight into the spiritual battle surrounding Jesus's final hours. It clarifies that the betrayal of Jesus by Judas was not merely a spontaneous human failure, but an act initiated and orchestrated by the devil. The phrase "already put it into the heart" reveals a prior, intentional instigation by Satan, signifying that the idea had taken root and been cultivated within Judas's innermost being before the Last Supper. The "heart" in biblical terms represents the core of a person's will, intellect, and moral center, implying Judas's complete receptivity to this evil proposition. This verse operates as a stark contrast to Jesus's profound love, expressed in the preceding verse, as He was fully aware of the insidious plot unfolding even as He prepared to serve His disciples. It also subtly introduces the theme of divine foreknowledge: Jesus knew (as indicated in 6:70-71) yet allowed the events to proceed, fulfilling prophecy and God's sovereign plan of redemption. Ultimately, it underlines that while supernatural forces instigate evil, human free will in accepting or rejecting such influences remains central, for Judas was held responsible for his choices.