Luke 22:21 Meaning and Explanation
“But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus announces that the hand of his betrayer is with him at the table.
What Does Luke 22:21 Mean?
Immediately after the bread and the cup, Jesus speaks the unthinkable: the betrayer is not outside in the dark but reclining here, his hand on the same table. The psalmist had foretold it: 'mine own familiar friend... which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me' (Psalm 41:9).
Jesus is not ambushed; he knows, and he says so - and still he has shared his bread with Judas. Such patience is a window into the heart of God, who is 'kind unto the unthankful and to the evil' (Luke 6:35). It is also a final knock at Judas' door: grace extended to the last hour.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 22:21
What does Luke 22:21 mean?
Jesus announces that the hand of his betrayer is with him at the table.