Matthew 26:21

As they did eat. [The Betrayer Revealed, Matt. 26:12-25=Mark 14:18b-21=Luke 22:21-23=John 13:21-30. Major comment: Matthew and John.] The evangelists Matthew and Mark do not mention the incident of the washing of the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17). Also, in their narratives Matthew and Mark reverse the order of the Lord’s Supper and the identification of the betrayer. The account in Luke is more nearly in chronological order, for Judas, before he left the upper room partook of both the bread and the wine as Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper (DA 653).

According to the Mishnah (see Pesahim 10, Soncino ed. of the Talmud, pp. 532-623), the ritual of the Passover meal was as follows: (1) The head of the family or group celebrating the supper together, mixed the first cup of wine, and passed it to the others, pronouncing a blessing upon the day and upon the wine. (2) He then performed a ritual washing of his hands. (3) The table was then spread. Foods served at the paschal meal consisted of the paschal lamb, the unleavened bread, the bitter herbs, lettuce, and other vegetables, and a relish sauce called charoseth, made of almonds, dates, figs, raisins, spice, and vinegar. At this stage some of the vegetables were eaten as an appetizer. (4) A second cup of wine was then passed around the circle, and the head of the family explained the meaning of the Passover. (5) The first part of the Passover hallel, consisting of Ps. 113 and 114, was sung. (6) The participants then ate of the Passover meal. The head of the family gave thanks for and broke the unleavened cakes, and distributed a portion to each guest. Portions of the paschal lamb were then eaten. (7) The third cup of wine was passed, and the benediction over the meal pronounced. (8) A fourth cup of wine was passed, after which all united in the second part of the hallel, consisting of Ps. 115 to 118.

Verily. See on ch. 5:18.

One of you. According to the record this is the first time Jesus clearly announced that one of the Twelve was to be His betrayer. All were startled, but none as yet suspected Judas. The latter, however, now began to realize that Jesus read his dark secret as an open book. According to DA 653, Jesus’ five statements revealing the conspirator were spoken in the following progressive order: (1) The words, “Ye are not all clean” (John 13:11), were uttered during the course of the foot washing. (2) The next statement, “He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me” (John 13:18), was made as the disciples again took their places at the table. (3) The announcement of Matt. 26:21, “One of you shall betray me,” followed a few moments later. (4) The words, “He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me” (v. 23), probably came at some point during the Lord’s Supper. (5) The final acknowledgment, “Thou hast said” (v. 25), came at the close of the Lord’s Supper and prompted Judas to leave the room forthwith. Compare Ps. 41:9.

Betray. Gr. paradidomi, “to give over to,” or “to deliver up to.” On at least four occasions prior to this Jesus had made reference to His betrayal (see Matt. 17:22; 20:18; 26:2; John 6:64, 70,71).