Luke 22 21

Luke 22:21

ESV: But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.

KJV: But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

NIV: But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.

NKJV: But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table.

NLT: "But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me.

Meaning

This verse profoundly declares Jesus' divine foreknowledge of His imminent betrayal by one of His closest disciples, stating that the very individual destined to hand Him over is presently sharing fellowship with Him at the Passover table. It highlights the deeply personal and perfidious nature of this treachery, occurring in an intimate setting.

Cross References

Context

Luke 22:21 is spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper, the Passover meal He shared with His disciples shortly before His crucifixion. This statement immediately follows His institution of the New Covenant through the bread and wine (Lk 22:19-20). The intimate setting of this sacred meal, representing deep fellowship and the promise of salvation, sharply contrasts with the shocking reality of impending betrayal from within His inner circle. Historically, sharing a meal was a profound act of covenant and trust in ancient Jewish culture, making betrayal during such an event especially grievous. This announcement sets the stage for the dramatic events of Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion, highlighting the deliberate nature of His path to Calvary and the foreknowledge of God.

Word analysis

• But (πλήν - plēn): Introduces a strong contrast or opposition. Despite the profound institution of the New Covenant and the fellowship just established, a stark, sobering reality follows. It signals a dramatic shift in focus or an urgent clarification.

• behold (ἰδοὺ - idou): An exclamation calling for immediate attention, signaling the introduction of a weighty, often surprising, or significant statement. It draws the disciples' gaze and mental focus to the shocking truth.

• the hand (ἡ χείρ - hē cheir): Symbolically represents power, agency, action, or active involvement. It signifies the instrument or agent through which the betrayal is carried out, emphasizing direct personal responsibility and execution of the act.

• of him who betrays (τοῦ παραδιδόντος με - tou paradidontos me): This is a present participle, meaning "the one who is betraying Me" or "the one who hands Me over." The Greek word paradidōmi implies handing over, delivering up, or surrendering, which in this context specifically denotes treachery and betrayal to an enemy.

• Me (με - me): The direct object, indicating Jesus Christ as the victim of this impending act of treachery.

• is with Me (μετ' ἐμοῦ - met' emou): Indicates close proximity and companionship. It emphasizes that the betrayer is not an external foe but one intimately associated with Jesus, present in the very act of shared fellowship.

• on the table (ἐπὶ τῆς τραπέζης - epi tēs trapezēs): Refers to the supper table where they were all sharing the Passover meal. This detail intensifies the tragedy, as eating together signified peace, covenant, and fellowship. The betrayal occurring at a sacred communal meal underscores its perfidious nature.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "But behold": A powerful transitional phrase emphasizing a sudden, grim reality in contrast to the prior sacred moments.
  • "the hand of him who betrays Me": Pinpoints the agent of betrayal with a focus on their active, responsible involvement. It refers directly to Judas Iscariot without naming him, emphasizing the function rather than just the person, and setting up the impending revelation.
  • "is with Me on the table": Highlights the profound irony and shocking intimacy of the betrayal. The betrayer is not distant but seated at the sacred, shared meal, underlining the depth of the treachery.

Commentary

Luke 22:21 is a somber pronouncement revealing Jesus' omniscience and the bitter reality of betrayal from within His inner circle. It is delivered just after the profound moment of establishing the New Covenant, setting a stark contrast between divine faithfulness and human perfidy. The phrase "the hand of him who betrays Me" personifies the act of betrayal, emphasizing the active, direct agency of Judas. His physical presence "with Me on the table" during a shared meal, a symbol of covenant and fellowship, underscores the horrifying depth of his treachery. This specific detail echoes Psalm 41:9, revealing that Jesus lived out the prophecy of betrayal by a trusted companion. While demonstrating divine foreknowledge, it simultaneously underscores the tragic choice and moral culpability of the betrayer, as further articulated in the subsequent verse regarding the woe awaiting that man. It exemplifies how divine sovereignty works through, yet does not diminish, human free will and accountability.

Bonus section

This verse subtly introduces the motif of foreordination balanced with human responsibility. While Jesus foreknows and announces the betrayal ("goes as it has been determined," v. 22), the agency is clearly attributed to the betrayer's "hand," indicating Judas's culpable choice. This interaction between divine plan and human freedom is a central theological tension throughout scripture. The profound sadness Jesus expresses, as noted in parallel accounts, highlights the emotional toll of such intimate betrayal even within the divine plan. It also serves as a warning against the dangers of unresolved sin, love of money, and succumbing to Satanic influence, which characterized Judas's path to this climactic act of perfidy.

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