Matthew 26:21 kjv
And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Matthew 26:21 nkjv
Now as they were eating, He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me."
Matthew 26:21 niv
And while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me."
Matthew 26:21 esv
And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."
Matthew 26:21 nlt
While they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
Matthew 26 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 41:9 | Even my close friend, whom I trusted... has lifted his heel against me. | Prophecy of betrayal by a trusted companion. |
| Zec 11:12 | I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. | Prophecy of the price of betrayal. |
| Mt 20:18 | “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes..." | Jesus foretells His general delivery to death. |
| Mt 26:2 | “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” | Jesus specifies His coming betrayal for crucifixion. |
| Mk 14:18 | “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” | Parallel account, emphasizes eating with Him. |
| Lk 22:21 | “But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.” | Parallel account, emphasis on proximity. |
| Jn 6:70-71 | “Did I not choose you, the Twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” He spoke of Judas Iscariot. | Jesus knew from the beginning who the betrayer was. |
| Jn 13:18 | “I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled: ‘He who eats my bread has lifted his heel against me.’” | Jesus fulfills prophetic Scripture concerning betrayal. |
| Jn 13:21 | After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” | Jesus' emotional anguish over the betrayal. |
| Jn 17:12 | “While I was with them, I kept them in your name... and I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” | Judas's role as the "son of destruction" fulfilling prophecy. |
| Mt 26:14-16 | Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?”... | Judas's initiation of the betrayal. |
| Mt 26:47-50 | While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a large crowd... And immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. | The moment of Judas's actual betrayal with a kiss. |
| Mt 27:3-5 | When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver... And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. | Judas's remorse and suicide after the betrayal. |
| Acts 1:16 | “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus." | Peter's sermon, highlighting Judas's fulfilling prophecy. |
| Jn 2:24-25 | But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man. | Jesus' complete foreknowledge of all hearts. |
| Jn 16:30 | “Now we know that you know everything and do not need anyone to question you..." | Disciples affirm Jesus's omniscient knowledge. |
| Jn 18:4 | Then Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” | Jesus' foreknowledge even in Gethsemane. |
| Mt 5:18 | For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. | Example of "Verily I say unto you" for emphasis on truth. |
| Mk 9:1 | And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” | Another use of "Verily I say unto you" in significant declarations. |
| Lk 12:44 | Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. | Emphasis on an important truth. |
Matthew 26 verses
Matthew 26 21 Meaning
Jesus, during the intimate setting of the Passover meal with His twelve disciples, solemnly declared with divine authority that one of those sharing the meal with Him would betray Him. This revelation immediately injected a profound sense of shock, grief, and self-examination among the disciples, as it indicated treachery from within their closest circle.
Matthew 26 21 Context
Matthew chapter 26 dramatically unfolds the final hours leading to Jesus’s crucifixion. It begins with Jesus explicitly foretelling His crucifixion, followed by the chief priests and elders conspiring to seize Him. The scene then shifts to the anointing at Bethany, symbolic of His burial, before settling into the solemn Passover meal. This sacred meal, meant to commemorate Israel's deliverance from slavery, becomes the setting for the institution of the New Covenant and the profound revelation of betrayal. Verse 21 occurs within this Last Supper, a moment of profound spiritual significance where Jesus transitions from prophetic announcement to a deeply personal disclosure of treachery within His inner circle, shifting the atmosphere from commemoration to agonizing revelation.
Matthew 26 21 Word analysis
- And as they did eat (Greek: Kai esthiontōn autōn): This phrase emphasizes the setting: an ongoing, shared meal, specifically the Passover. It underscores the intimacy and sanctity of the moment, making the subsequent revelation of betrayal all the more jarring. It signifies the direct context of shared fellowship that is about to be shattered.
- he said (Greek: eipen): A simple, direct declaration from Jesus. It denotes an authoritative and unhesitating statement of truth, rather than an inquiry or an emotional outburst.
- Verily I say unto you (Greek: amēn legō hymin): The word amēn is transliterated from Hebrew/Aramaic, meaning "truly," "certainly," or "so be it." When used by Jesus to introduce a statement, it denotes profound solemnity, unwavering truth, and divine authority. It commands the listeners' absolute attention and belief, indicating that what follows is of supreme importance and indisputable reality. This is a characteristic linguistic marker of Jesus's direct and absolute pronouncements.
- that one of you (Greek: hoti heis ex hymōn): The word heis (one) ex (from/out of) hymōn (you/your group). This phrase is potent in its implications. It highlights that the betrayal will not come from an external enemy or stranger but from within the closest circle of His chosen disciples, intensifying the emotional impact and the sense of shock. It underscores the intimate nature of the breach of trust.
- shall betray me (Greek: paradōsei me): The verb paradidōmi can mean "to hand over," "to deliver," or "to betray." In this context, it carries the strong connotation of treacherous delivery, specifically delivering Jesus into the hands of His enemies. The future tense "shall betray" speaks to Jesus's foreknowledge and the certainty of the event, indicating it is part of a divinely appointed plan, even as it is carried out by human agency. It encapsulates the full extent of Judas's treacherous act.
Words-group Analysis
- And as they did eat, he said: This opening clause vividly portrays the scene: a sacred, communal meal where fellowship should reign, abruptly interrupted by a shocking declaration from the host. It sets a stark contrast between expectation and revelation, highlighting the immediate context of intimacy.
- Verily I say unto you, that one of you: This powerful combination emphasizes both the undeniable truth of Jesus’s words (underscored by amen) and the personal, deeply wounding source of the treachery—a betrayer from within His trusted inner circle. It conveys the divine certainty of the betrayal and its shocking origin.
- shall betray me: This phrase directly points to the specific, horrific act of treachery. It is a precise and concise summary of the coming perfidy, marking the transition from an abstract possibility to a chilling certainty, indicating both divine foreknowledge and the ultimate purpose of Jesus’s mission toward sacrifice.
Matthew 26 21 Bonus section
- The solemn declaration by Jesus serves as both a prophecy and an opportunity for introspection for the disciples. It was designed not merely to announce doom, but to bring self-examination to each one present, ultimately isolating the betrayer's secret sin.
- This verse establishes the divine control over human actions, showing that even Judas's treachery, though sinful, fit into God's ultimate redemptive plan, fulfilling prophecy and leading to Christ's atoning sacrifice.
- Jesus's calm and deliberate pronouncement amidst the sacred meal underlines His perfect self-possession and purposeful movement towards the cross, demonstrating that His passion was not a tragedy that happened to Him, but a willing sacrifice chosen by Him.
Matthew 26 21 Commentary
Matthew 26:21 marks a pivotal, somber moment in the Passion narrative, underscoring Jesus's divine foreknowledge and His sovereign control even in the face of human treachery. Amidst the solemnity of the Passover meal, a celebration of God’s deliverance, Jesus starkly reveals that the very instrument of His being "handed over" to death would be one of His closest companions. This disclosure highlights not only Jesus's perfect awareness of future events but also the profound sorrow caused by betrayal from within the circle of intimacy. The phrase "Verily I say unto you" elevates the declaration beyond a mere prediction to a divinely certain pronouncement. The disciples' subsequent bewildered questioning ("Is it I, Lord?") emphasizes the deep personal trust and camaraderie that had bound them together, making the act of one turning against Him profoundly scandalous. This betrayal, far from catching Jesus off guard, serves to fulfill prophetic scripture and demonstrate His intentional walk towards the cross, accepting even the bitter cup of personal disloyalty for the salvation of the world. It compels us to reflect on the nature of trust, loyalty, and the pervasive reality of sin, even within consecrated fellowship.