Mat 26:21-25 | RWP | e4.org | One of you ( εις εξ υμων ). This was a bolt from the blue for all except Judas and he was startled to know that Jesus understood his treacherous bargain.

‏ Matthew 26:21-25

One of you ( εις εξ υμων ). This was a bolt from the blue for all except Judas and he was startled to know that Jesus understood his treacherous bargain.

Is it I, Lord? ( μητ εγω ειμι, Κυριε; ). The negative expects the answer No and was natural for all save Judas. But he had to bluff it out by the same form of question (verse 25). The answer of Jesus,

Thou hast said ( συ ειπας ), means Yes.

He that dipped ( ο εμβαψας ). They all dipped their hands, having no knives, forks, or spoons. The aorist participle with the article simply means that the betrayer is the one who dips his hand in the dish ( εν τω τρυβλιω ) or platter with the broth of nuts and raisins and figs into which the bread was dipped before eating. It is plain that Judas was not recognized by the rest as indicated by what Jesus has said. This language means that one of those who had eaten bread with him had violated the rights of hospitality by betraying him. The Arabs today are punctilious on this point. Eating one's bread ties your hands and compels friendship. But Judas knew full well as is shown in verse 25 though the rest apparently did not grasp it.

Good were it for that man ( καλον ην αυτω ). Conclusion of second-class condition even though αν is not expressed. It is not needed with verbs of obligation and necessity. There are some today who seek to palliate the crime of Judas. But Jesus here pronounces his terrible doom. And Judas heard it and went on with his hellish bargain with the Sanhedrin. Apparently Judas went out at this stage (Joh 13:31).