John 13:21-30 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spoke. He then lying on Jesus’ breast said unto him, Lord, who is it? 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. And after the sop satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
After Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, Judas was still with them, having his feet washed along with the rest. The 27th New Testament prophecy in John, that is fulfilled: Jesus said that one of them shall betray Him.
The disciples looked to one another, doubting of whom Jesus spoke. Judas was not suspected. They had absolute confidence in him and Judas must have been a good actor as well as demon-inspired to go through this ordeal of pretending such innocence. Were not these dealings of Jesus to break him if possible and bring him to repentance?
John, the writer of this gospel was known as the one whom Jesus loved, was leaning on Jesus’ bosom, sitting close by Him. Peter asked John to hear from the Lord who the one was that would betray Him. The 28th New Testament prophecy in John that is fulfilled: Jesus answered that it is he to whom He gave a sop after He dipped it.
‘Sop’ is the Greek word psomion meaning a morsel. It was a portion of the paschal supper, collected in the fingers, dipped in the sauce, and handed to one of the guests. It was a mark of honour for the guest who received it. The Lord had appealed to the conscience of Judas, and now He appealed to his heart, but it was too hard to respond. Judas must have been on the left of Jesus so he could take it from Him.
Satan had put it in Judas’s heart before this and the deal was already made (Mat. 26:14-16). Judas hardened his heart at the last appeal of Jesus, so now he was open for satanic control. Jesus now knowing that Judas had submitted to satan and that further appeal was useless, dismissed him for the work he was to do. Satan entering into Judas simply means Judas submitted to satan’s temptation to betray Jesus. He became one with satan, like men become one in spirit with God when joined to Him in consecration (1Cor. 6:17).
Living the Word 