Section 13:21–30
Jesus predicted that someone would betray him
In this section Jesus told his disciples that one of them would betray him. The disciples wondered who he meant. Jesus showed them by giving a piece of bread to Judas. Judas then left the room.
Here are some other possible section headings:
Jesus predicted that one of his disciples would betray him
-or-
Jesus knew one of his disciples would oppose him
Paragraph 13:21–30
The Jewish custom at meals was to have several couches arranged in a U-shape around the table. The guests reclined (leaned) on the couches around the table, leaning on their left elbow. Jesus was probably in the center, and John was on Jesus’ right. In this paragraph Peter told John to ask Jesus who would betray him. Jesus said that the person to whom he gave bread would be the one who would betray him. He gave the bread to Judas.
13:21a
After Jesus had said this: This phrase refers in general to what Jesus said in 13:12–20.
He became troubled in spirit: The phrase troubled in spirit means “disturbed, upset.” Jesus was troubled because one of his disciples would betray him. See the note on a similar phrase in 12:27a. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
he was very upset in his spirit
-or-
his thoughts/heart hurt greatly
and testified: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as testified indicates that Jesus spoke out about something that he knew. For example:
told his disciples (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
declared (New Revised Standard Version)
13:21b
Truly, truly, I tell you: The expression that the Berean Standard Bible has translated as Truly, truly, I tell you emphasizes what Jesus would now say. See how you translated this expression in 13:16b and 13:20a.
one of you will betray Me: This clause indicates that one of Jesus’ disciples would no longer follow him, but would instead give him to his enemies.
will betray Me: In this context the phrase betray Me means “help my enemies to arrest and kill me.” See how you translated betray at 6:64c, and see the note there.
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