Matthew 26:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →During the meal Jesus announces that one of the twelve will betray Him.
What Does Matthew 26:21 Mean?
Into the warmth of the feast Jesus speaks a solemn truth: one of you shall betray me. The verb means to hand over -- to deliver a person into the power of others. He says it while they eat together, the act that sealed fellowship in that world.
Jesus exposes the betrayal without naming the betrayer, a mercy that gives Judas room to turn even now. Truth and grace move together: the sin is unmasked, the sinner still shielded. The Lord knows the worst about His table companions and keeps serving them.
Matthew 26:21 in the Original Language
paradidomi (παραδίδωμι), 'betray' -- to hand over, to deliver up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 26:21
What does Matthew 26:21 mean?
During the meal Jesus announces that one of the twelve will betray Him.