John 13:22 kjv
Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
John 13:22 nkjv
Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
John 13:22 niv
His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.
John 13:22 esv
The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.
John 13:22 nlt
The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean.
John 13 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 41:9 | Even my close friend, whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. | Prophecy of betrayal by an intimate companion. |
| Matt 26:21-22 | While they were eating, he said, “Truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And greatly distressed… | Similar immediate distress and inquiry among disciples at the announcement of betrayal. |
| Mark 14:18-19 | Jesus said, “Truly, I tell you, one of you who is eating with me will betray me.” They were distressed... | Parallel account of distress and personal inquiry, "Is it I?". |
| Luke 22:21-23 | “But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table... and they began to question... | Emphasizes betrayal at the very table, leading to mutual inquiry among disciples. |
| John 13:18 | “I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen... that the Scripture may be fulfilled... | Jesus' foreknowledge of the betrayal and its fulfillment of prophecy. |
| John 6:64 | For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. | Jesus' divine knowledge of Judas's heart from the outset. |
| John 6:70 | Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” | Jesus' awareness of the betrayer even when choosing His disciples. |
| Matt 26:24 | The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! | Divine plan and human responsibility in the betrayal. |
| Acts 1:16-17 | “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled... concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus... | Fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy regarding Judas's defection. |
| Acts 1:25 | ...to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place. | Judas's path diverging from the apostolic call to a fate of perdition. |
| Luke 9:45 | But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it... | Disciples often struggling to comprehend Jesus' difficult sayings. |
| Luke 18:34 | But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp... | Repeated theme of disciples' limited understanding of Jesus' foretelling of future events. |
| 1 Pet 1:10-11 | ...concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched... | Reflects how even prophets searched for the meaning of divine declarations. |
| Gen 44:11-12 | Then they quickly took down every man his sack to the ground, and every man opened his sack... | Searching among brothers for the culprit, demonstrating collective uncertainty and concern. |
| John 12:27 | “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’?... | Jesus' own inner turmoil before significant events, resonating with the current scene. |
| 1 Thess 5:2-3 | For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night... | The suddenness and unexpectedness of events, akin to the betrayal's announcement. |
| Phil 2:3 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. | Implied contrast with Judas's hidden selfish ambition leading to betrayal. |
| Prov 12:20 | Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but joy for those who plan peace. | Highlighting the hidden deceit within Judas contrasted with the perplexed disciples. |
| Heb 4:13 | And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. | Reinforces Jesus' divine omniscience in knowing Judas's heart and intentions. |
| Rom 16:17 | I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine... | While not direct, speaks to internal threats to the community, often hidden and divisive. |
| Ps 73:1-3 | Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart... for I was envious of the arrogant when I saw... | The apparent purity of hearts among the loyal disciples contrasts with Judas's hidden evil. |
| Gal 6:4 | But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself alone... | Disciples' initial mutual suspicion possibly transitioning to self-examination (though not explicit here). |
John 13 verses
John 13 22 Meaning
John 13:22 describes the immediate reaction of Jesus' disciples to His solemn declaration that one of them would betray Him. Filled with profound perplexity and uncertainty, they exchanged troubled glances, each gazing at the others, deeply at a loss as to whom Jesus might be referring. This collective confusion underscores their inability to fathom that a member of their intimate fellowship could commit such a treacherous act, highlighting their innocent ignorance of Judas Iscariot's hidden intent.
John 13 22 Context
John chapter 13 immediately precedes this verse with Jesus washing the disciples' feet, a profound act of humility and service that He calls for them to imitate. Following this, Jesus "was troubled in spirit, and testified, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me'" (John 13:21). This startling declaration shattered the atmosphere of intimate fellowship and communion established during the Passover meal, now taking on the character of the Last Supper. The disciples, previously having received the model of servanthood, are now confronted with the ominous prospect of internal treachery. Their collective response of mutual gazing and confusion in John 13:22 sets the stage for the specific identification of the betrayer, which Peter, through John, soon requests. Historically and culturally, betraying one's teacher or host, especially after sharing a meal, was considered a profound breach of honor and loyalty within Jewish society.
John 13 22 Word analysis
- His disciples: (Greek: hoi mathētai, οἱ μαθηταὶ). Literally, "the learners" or "followers." This emphasizes their intimate relationship with Jesus as those being discipled by Him. Their perplexity highlights that even those closest to Jesus were not privy to His complete knowledge or the depths of human sin.
- gazed at one another: (Greek: eblepon eis allēlous, ἔβλεπον εἰς ἀλλήλους). The imperfect tense eblepon suggests a continuous action, a sustained and searching look. "Eis allēlous" (into one another) implies a deep, searching, perhaps even suspicious, examination. This visual reaction conveys their bewilderment, concern, and the absence of any immediate self-incrimination or obvious suspicion directed at Judas by the group. It also speaks to the internal shock wave, causing them to question the integrity of their own tight-knit fellowship.
- doubting: (Greek: aporoumenoi, ἀπορούμενοι). This is a present participle, meaning "being at a loss," "perplexed," "uncertain," or "in great doubt." It doesn't imply doubt in Jesus' word, but rather confusion about the identity of the betrayer. They were "without a way out," indicating utter bewilderment and lack of comprehension. It signifies intellectual distress and an inability to conceive of who it could be, emphasizing their genuine ignorance.
- whom: (Greek: peri tinos, περὶ τίνος). This is an interrogative pronoun asking "concerning whom" or "about whom." It specifically seeks identification. This reveals that the general announcement of betrayal was not enough for them; they urgently needed to know the specific individual.
- He spoke of: (Greek: elegen, ἔλεγεν). The imperfect tense "elegen" (He was speaking/saying) underscores the ongoing reality of Jesus' previous statement, which continued to trouble them.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "His disciples gazed at one another": This phrase encapsulates the collective bewilderment and tension among the Twelve. Their searching glances reveal not just curiosity but a profound unsettling of their closely-knit group, each potentially wondering about the others and perhaps, introspectively, about themselves. This moment precedes Peter's explicit request, indicating their immediate, non-verbal reaction of deep perplexity.
- "doubting of whom He spoke": This clarifies the nature of their doubt. It wasn't about the truthfulness of Jesus' statement, but the identity of the person. They were at a complete loss, unable to pinpoint any one among them who could commit such an act. This underlines Judas's subtle, hidden malice and the general trust among the other disciples.
John 13 22 Bonus section
The reaction of the disciples, specifically the "gazing at one another" (eblepon eis allēlous), suggests a deep introspection occurring within the group dynamic. It was not merely looking, but a scrutinizing search, where each disciple may have been simultaneously evaluating his brethren and perhaps even his own heart. This collective confusion emphasizes the unique and isolated nature of Judas's rebellion, truly making him "the son of perdition," alienated in purpose from the eleven, even before his specific identity was revealed. The Jewish tradition of sacred table fellowship made this act of betrayal, originating from one sharing bread, particularly heinous.
John 13 22 Commentary
John 13:22 captures the intense psychological and emotional impact of Jesus’ betrayal prophecy on His disciples. Their reaction—gazing at one another in perplexed uncertainty—is deeply human and revelatory. It showcases their genuine unawareness of Judas's inner depravity, underscoring that his betrayal was a concealed, premeditated act, not a spur-of-the-moment decision known or suspected by the group. Their collective bewilderment indicates that no disciple readily suspected Judas, which speaks to his cunning in masking his true intentions. This scene heightens the drama, setting the stage for Peter's urgent query through John, demonstrating the disciples’ immediate need for clarity and emphasizing Jesus’ omniscience in knowing what was hidden from all others. It also reflects their loyalty and trust in their fellowship, a bond now shaken by the dreadful, unnamed treachery within their very core.