Paragraph 13:2–5

During supper, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. At that time people wore sandals, not closed shoes, and so their feet became very dusty and dirty. Normally servants washed their feet.

13:2a

The evening meal was underway: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The evening meal was underway is more literally “supper was happening.” Translate this in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

They were at supper (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
While they were eating supper
-or-
Jesus and his disciples were at supper (Good News Translation)

The evening meal: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as evening meal refers to the last meal of the day. It was usually a large meal that took place during the evening. Here is another way to translate this word:

during supper (New Revised Standard Version)

13:2b

and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus: This sentence tells about something that happened before the supper. It does not tell exactly when this happened, just that it was earlier.

the devil: This phrase refers to the chief evil spirit and the leader against God. He is also called Satan. He is the enemy of God and God’s people. Because both the devil and “Satan” refer to the same being, you may want to use the same expression for both in your translation. Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

• Use a local name or idiom that refers to the chief of all demons. If you do this, compare what people believe about this being to what the Bible teaches about the devil. Check that what people believe is close enough to what the Bible teaches to be a suitable expression.

• Use a descriptive phrase or the literal meaning together with a descriptive phrase. For example:

the accuser, the chief of all demons
-or-
the leader of the evil spirits
-or-
the spirit enemy of God
-or-
the lord of all sin
-or-
the especially bad one

• Transliterate the name “Satan.” If this word is not already known in your area, you may also want to add a descriptive phrase. For example:

Shaitan
-or-
Satanas, the ruler of demons

If you transliterate “Satan,” check that it communicates the biblical meaning to people in your culture.

You need to use a word or phrase that the churches in the area will accept. You may also want to add a footnote or glossary definition that further explains who the devil is. For example:

The devil is the leader of all the evil spirits or demons. Once he was an angel in heaven, but he rebelled against God. God threw him out of heaven, and now he tempts people on earth. Other names for him in the Bible include “Satan,” “Beelzebul,” “the Evil One,” “the Enemy,” and “the Tempter.”

See how you translated this word in 8:44a.

had already: This phrase indicates that the author is referring back to something that happened earlier, before the beginning of this event. Consider how it is natural to refer back to something that happened earlier. For example:

Even before…, the devil had… (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
had earlier
-or-
had before this time

See also the General Comment on 13:2a–b.

put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot: This phrase indicates that Satan had influenced or caused Judas to do something evil. The devil gave Judas the idea and desire to betray Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

put it into the mind of Judas son of Simon Iscariot (Revised English Bible)
-or-
persuaded Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot
-or-
made Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, decide (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
whispered into the ear/heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son
-or-
caused Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to think in his mind/heart

Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot: There is a textual problem here:

(1) Some Greek texts say Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For example:

Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible‘ New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, NIV2011)

(2) Some Greek texts say “Judas Iscariot, son of Simon.” For example:

Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version (1984), New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, New Century Version)

The original text is uncertain. Either reading is possible. It is recommended that you choose option (1), the reading of the UBS Handbook Greek New Testament and of 6:71a. But it is also possible to follow your local or national language translation.

to betray Jesus: The verb betray refers to helping the enemies of someone whom one should be loyal to. Here it refers to Judas helping Jesus’ enemies to arrest him. See how you translated this verb in 12:4. This was an idea that the devil had put in Judas’ mind. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

betraying Jesus (God’s Word)
-or-
to turn against Jesus (New Century Version)

General Comment on 13:2a–b

In the Greek text the time (supper) is mentioned before Satan’s work in Judas. The Berean Standard Bible has use the Greek order. In some languages it may be more natural to rearrange the information into chronological order, where Satan influencing Judas is before the disciples eating supper with Jesus. For example:

2b The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. 2a And during supper (New Revised Standard Version)

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