John 13:26 Meaning and Explanation
“Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus answers with a sign: the betrayer is the one to whom he gives the dipped morsel, and he hands it to Judas.
What Does John 13:26 Mean?
At a festal meal the host would dip a morsel of bread in the common dish and hand it to a guest as a mark of favor. The answer Jesus gives John is this gesture itself: he dips the sop and gives it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
The identification is also a final overture. Jesus does not point at his betrayer; he serves him, placing into his hand the honored portion of a friend. Love makes its last appeal in bread. Judas takes the gift and keeps his plan; grace can be received into the hand while being refused by the heart. The morsel that could have melted him becomes instead the moment he turns (verse 27).
John 13:26 in the Original Language
psomion (ψωμίον), 'sop' -- a morsel of bread dipped in the dish and handed to a guest as a mark of honor.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 13:26
What does John 13:26 mean?
Jesus answers with a sign: the betrayer is the one to whom he gives the dipped morsel, and he hands it to Judas.