Matthew 26 24

Matthew 26:24 kjv

The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

Matthew 26:24 nkjv

The Son of Man indeed goes 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."

Matthew 26:24 niv

The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

Matthew 26:24 esv

The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."

Matthew 26:24 nlt

For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!"

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 24 Meaning

Matthew 26:24 states that the Son of Man's journey to suffering and death is divinely predetermined and fulfills ancient prophecies. However, this divine plan does not diminish the profound culpability of the betrayer, Judas Iscariot. Jesus pronounces a severe condemnation, indicating that the betrayer's fate is so dire, so eternally wretched, that non-existence would have been preferable for him.

Matthew 26 24 Context

This verse is spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper, a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative. Immediately before, Jesus declared that one of the twelve disciples would betray Him (Matt 26:21), causing great distress and questions among them. Judas Iscariot has already secretly agreed to betray Jesus to the chief priests for thirty pieces of silver (Matt 26:14-16). Jesus' words in verse 24 confirm His impending fate, not as an unforeseen tragedy but as a predetermined event that aligns with God's redemptive plan foretold in the Scriptures. Simultaneously, it serves as a direct, condemning warning to the specific individual, Judas, revealing both divine sovereignty over human evil and the unwavering moral culpability of the human agent. The stark contrast highlights the tension between God's foreknowledge and human free will. Culturally, betraying a teacher or host was considered an exceptionally heinous act, a deep violation of trust. The phrase "better not born" was a known Jewish idiom signifying utter and hopeless ruin, indicating a state worse than non-existence.

Matthew 26 24 Word analysis

• The Son of Man (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ho huios tou anthrōpou): Jesus' favorite self-designation, deeply rooted in Dan 7:13-14. It conveys both His true humanity and His divine, messianic authority and future glory. In this context, it underscores His identity as the chosen One, whose suffering is central to God's plan.
• goes (ὑπάγει, hypagei): Implies a journey that is not arbitrary but purposed and predetermined. Jesus is not a helpless victim but willingly undertakes this path according to divine will, knowing its ultimate conclusion.
• as it is written (καθὼς γέγραπται, kathōs gegraptai): Refers explicitly to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy regarding the Messiah's suffering and death (e.g., Psa 22, Isa 53, Zech 11). This highlights the divine sovereignty and the intricate unfolding of God's redemptive plan, proving Jesus' messianic identity and the prophetic accuracy of Scripture.
• woe (οὐαί, ouai): A strong interjection expressing grief, lament, and most often, a pronouncement of divine judgment and condemnation. It's not just an expression of pity, but a definitive declaration of terrible consequences.
• that man (ἐκείνῳ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ, ekeinō tō anthrōpō): Refers directly and emphatically to Judas Iscariot. It pinpoints the specific individual responsible, holding him morally accountable despite the divine foreknowledge.
• by whom the Son of Man is betrayed (δι’ οὗ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται, di' hou ho huios tou anthrōpou paradidotai): "Betrayed" (παραδίδοται, paradidotai) can mean "handed over" or "delivered." This active voice emphasizes Judas' deliberate and active role in turning Jesus over to His enemies, not merely a passive role in a predetermined event.
• It would have been better for him if he had not been born (καλὸν ἦν αὐτῷ εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος, kalon ēn autō ei ouk egennēthē ho anthrōpos ekeinos): This powerful idiom indicates an eternal, irreversible condemnation. It implies a state of existence after death that is so utterly miserable and devoid of hope, so much worse than non-existence, that it marks the deepest possible level of woe and damnation. It underscores the unparalleled gravity of betraying the very Son of God.

Matthew 26 24 Bonus section

The statement about Judas' fate being "better if he had not been born" is among the strongest expressions of personal damnation found in the Scriptures. It strongly implies a permanent, conscious state of torment and separation from God that is so severe it surpasses even the concept of never existing. This serves as a sober warning that participation in God's divine plan does not exempt an individual from moral responsibility and its consequences. While Jesus' passion was necessary and ordained, Judas' motive and action were of his own sinful will, rendering him utterly accountable for his choice and sealing his terrible fate. This also highlights that God uses human actions, even evil ones, to accomplish His will, but He is never the author of evil, and human beings remain responsible for their choices. Judas is referred to as "the son of perdition" (John 17:12), an apt description of one whose ultimate destiny is destruction and ruin, demonstrating a profound spiritual separation.

Matthew 26 24 Commentary

Matthew 26:24 provides a profound theological tension point: divine sovereignty and human culpability. Jesus clearly states that His journey to suffering is part of God's predetermined plan, deeply woven into the fabric of prophetic Scripture. This highlights God's ultimate control over history and salvation. Yet, this foreordination does not absolve Judas of his horrific sin. Jesus' "woe" pronouncement is not merely a lament, but a declaration of irreversible, catastrophic judgment. Judas actively chose to betray Christ for material gain, an act of such cosmic offense that its eternal consequences far outweigh any perceived benefit of his earthly existence. The stark phrase "better not born" underscores the singular depth of Judas' damnation, setting him apart as the archetypal betrayer and emphasizing the terrifying reality of eternal punishment for those who deliberately oppose God's ultimate plan of redemption. It reminds believers of the immense gravity of one's actions and the potential for eternal ruin through betrayal of the Living God.