Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
The words were spoken at the table during the Passover supper eaten with the disciples on the night of the betrayal, at the passing from the Passover to the Lord's Supper established to commemorate the death soon to follow. After the supper the company went to the garden of Gethsemane, where He often went to pray, talking with them and teaching them as they walked but becoming strangely silent as they neared the garden. As they ate in silence He seemed greatly troubled and a cloud settled over them all when He said one of them would betray Him, and the disciples, grieved and amazed, each looked into his own heart for any shadow of evil thought against their Master and asked one after another whether it was he, using the title Lord.
Judas alone remained silent, and his silence drew the eyes and searching scrutiny of all to him. Only when he saw he was observed did he ask the same question in order to escape detection and scrutiny, calling Jesus Master rather than Lord. He had not heard the identification already given to John amid the confusion. Jesus solemnly answered that Judas himself had said so, thereby affirming with certainty that Judas was the betrayer. That answer exposed his hidden purpose, crime, guilt and thoughts, and proved full knowledge of what Judas planned.
The answer was an act of touching forbearance and infinite mercy and a final convincing proof of divine knowledge, foreknowledge and Messiahship. It was meant to give Judas one more chance to repent and turn from treachery and save himself from the betrayer's doom before it was too late. It was meant to give the disciples crowning evidence that would strengthen their faith when the betrayal took place. Even knowing Judas's character and betrayal, He continued to treat him with patience and mercy, washing his feet and allowing him to share in the sacrament.
Judas was confused and overcome and surprised and alarmed by the unexpected discovery that his crime was made known. But he was not moved to repentance. He responded with greater determination and remained fixed in his plan. He rose hastily to leave the room, and went out to carry out the work he had engaged to do. He was a false disciple whose outward place among the followers concealed a selfish, covetous heart. Though he had witnessed mighty works and accepted strong evidence of Messiahship, he loved money and was ready for Satan's temptation, and his angry objection to Mary's costly gift was an excuse for greed rather than concern for the poor, while her generosity rebuked him.
His dealing with Judas teaches that those who are erring should not be carelessly abandoned or driven toward temptation but should be given opportunity to repent and be cleansed. In this setting the faults of the disciples likewise led all but Judas to repentance.
The words were spoken at the table during the Passover supper eaten with the disciples on the night of the betrayal, at the passing from the Passover to the Lord's Supper established to commemorate the death soon to follow. After the supper the company went to the garden of Gethsemane, where He often went to pray, talking with them and teaching them as they walked but becoming strangely silent as they neared the garden. As they ate in silence He seemed greatly troubled and a cloud settled over them all when He said one of them would betray Him, and the disciples, grieved and amazed, each looked into his own heart for any shadow of evil thought against their Master and asked one after another whether it was he, using the title Lord.
Judas alone remained silent, and his silence drew the eyes and searching scrutiny of all to him. Only when he saw he was observed did he ask the same question in order to escape detection and scrutiny, calling Jesus Master rather than Lord. He had not heard the identification already given to John amid the confusion. Jesus solemnly answered that Judas himself had said so, thereby affirming with certainty that Judas was the betrayer. That answer exposed his hidden purpose, crime, guilt and thoughts, and proved full knowledge of what Judas planned.
The answer was an act of touching forbearance and infinite mercy and a final convincing proof of divine knowledge, foreknowledge and Messiahship. It was meant to give Judas one more chance to repent and turn from treachery and save himself from the betrayer's doom before it was too late. It was meant to give the disciples crowning evidence that would strengthen their faith when the betrayal took place. Even knowing Judas's character and betrayal, He continued to treat him with patience and mercy, washing his feet and allowing him to share in the sacrament.
Judas was confused and overcome and surprised and alarmed by the unexpected discovery that his crime was made known. But he was not moved to repentance. He responded with greater determination and remained fixed in his plan. He rose hastily to leave the room, and went out to carry out the work he had engaged to do. He was a false disciple whose outward place among the followers concealed a selfish, covetous heart. Though he had witnessed mighty works and accepted strong evidence of Messiahship, he loved money and was ready for Satan's temptation, and his angry objection to Mary's costly gift was an excuse for greed rather than concern for the poor, while her generosity rebuked him.
His dealing with Judas teaches that those who are erring should not be carelessly abandoned or driven toward temptation but should be given opportunity to repent and be cleansed. In this setting the faults of the disciples likewise led all but Judas to repentance.