Luke 22:21

21 1But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is 2with me on the table.

Luke 22:21 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 22:21

But behold the hand of him that betrayeth me
By the "hand" is meant, not figuratively the counsel, contrivance, and conspiracy of Judas to betray him, as the word is used in ( 2 Samuel 14:19 ) but literally the hand of Judas, which was then dipping in the dish with Christ, ( Matthew 26:23 ) and it follows here, is with me on the table;
and is an aggravation of his sin, that one that sat with him at his table, ate bread with him, and dipped his morsel in the same dish, should be the betrayer of him, according to the prophecy in ( Psalms 41:9 ) as well as describes and points at the person that should do this action, even one of his disciples; for which disciples, he had just now said, his body is given, and his blood is shed. The phrase, "with me", is left out in the Syriac and Persic versions. From Luke's account it appears most clearly, that Judas was not only at the passover, but at the Lord's supper, since this was said when both were over.

Luke 22:21 In-Context

19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.
22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!"
23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

Cross References 2

  • 1. For ver. 21-23, see Matthew 26:21-24; Mark 14:18-21; [John 13:21-26]
  • 2. [Psalms 41:9; John 13:18]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.