John 13:26

“Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.”

Context:The Last Supper was a significant event in Christian history. Jesus knew that His time on Earth was coming to an end, and He desired to share a final meal with His disciples and provide them with important teachings. During this time, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as a demonstration of humility and service.

The Identity of the Betrayer:In this verse, Jesus reveals that one of His disciples will betray Him. When asked by Peter who it would be, Jesus responds by giving a piece of bread or “sop” to the person whom He would identify as the betrayer. He dips the bread and gives it to Judas Iscariot.

The Significance of the Sop:In biblical times, sharing a meal with someone held great significance and symbolized fellowship and intimacy. By giving a sop to Judas, Jesus offers him a sign of affection and trust. However, it also serves as a symbolic act of identifying Judas as the one who would betray Him.

Judas Iscariot:Judas was one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus. Despite being a disciple, he made the conscious decision to betray Jesus to the religious authorities for thirty pieces of silver. This act ultimately led to Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion.

Foreshadowing:This verse serves as a foreshadowing of the events to come. Jesus’ act of offering the sop to Judas highlights His awareness of Judas’ impending betrayal. It demonstrates Jesus’ knowledge of the events that would unfold and His willingness to continue His mission even in the face of betrayal and suffering.