Mat 26:23-25, 48-50 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 23. He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish . The Jews, at the observance of this ordinance, used a bitter sauce , made of bunches of raisins, mixed with vinegar and other seasoning of the like kind, which they said represented the clay which their fathers were compelled to use in Egypt, in making brick; thus reminding them of their bitter bondage there. This was probably the dish to which reference is made here. It is not improbable that Judas reclined near to our Saviour at the feast; and by his saying it was one that dipped with him in the dish, he meant one that was near to him, designating him more particularly than he had done before. John adds, ( ); and following, that a disciple (i.e. John himself) was reclining on Jesus' bosom; that Simon Peter beckoned to him to ask Jesus more particularly who it was; that Jesus signified who it was, by giving Judas a sop ; i.e., a piece of bread or meat, dipped in the thick sauce; and that Judas, having received it, went out to accomplish his wicked design of betraying him. Judas was not, therefore, present at the institution of the Lord's Supper. (z) "He that"

Matthew 26:23-25

Verse 23. He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish. The Jews, at the observance of this ordinance, used a bitter sauce, made of bunches of raisins, mixed with vinegar and other seasoning of the like kind, which they said represented the clay which their fathers were compelled to use in Egypt, in making brick; thus reminding them of their bitter bondage there. This was probably the dish to which reference is made here. It is not improbable that Judas reclined near to our Saviour at the feast; and by his saying it was one that dipped with him in the dish, he meant one that was near to him, designating him more particularly than he had done before. John adds, (Jn 13:23-30); Jn 13:23 and following, that a disciple (i.e. John himself) was reclining on Jesus' bosom; that Simon Peter beckoned to him to ask Jesus more particularly who it was; that Jesus signified who it was, by giving Judas a sop; i.e., a piece of bread or meat, dipped in the thick sauce; and that Judas, having received it, went out to accomplish his wicked design of betraying him. Judas was not, therefore, present at the institution of the Lord's Supper.

(z) "He that" Ps 41:9, 55:12-15 Verse 24. The Son of man goeth. That is, the Messiah; the Christ. Mt 8:20.

Goeth. Dies, or will die. The Hebrews often spoke in this manner of death, Ps 39:13, Gen 15:2.

As it is written of him. That is, as it is written or prophesied of him in the Old Testament. Compare Ps 41:9, with Jn 13:18. See also Dan 9:26,27, Isa 53:4-9. Luke Lk 22:22 says, "as it was determined." In the Greek, as it was marked out by a boundary; that is, in the Divine purpose. It was the previous intention of God to give him up to die for sin, or it could not have been certainly predicted. It is also declared to have been by his "determinate counsel and foreknowledge," Acts 2:23.

Woe unto that man, etc. The crime is great and awful, and he will be punished accordingly. He states the greatness of his misery in the phrase following.

It had been good, etc. That is, it would have been better for him if he had not been born; or it would be better now for him if he was to be as if he had not been born, or if he was annihilated. This was a proverbial mode of speaking among the Jews in frequent use. In relation to Judas it proves the following things:

(1.) that the crime which he was about to commit was exceedingly great;

(2.) that the misery or punishment due to it would certainly come upon him;

(3.) that he would certainly deserve that misery, or it would not be threatened or inflicted; and,

(4.) that his punishment would be eternal. If there should be any period when the sufferings of Judas should end, and he be restored and raised to heaven, the blessings of that happiness without end would infinitely overbalance all the sufferings he will endure in a limited time; and consequently it would not be true that it would be better for him not to have been born. Existence to him would be a blessing. It follows that, in relation to one wicked man, the sufferings of hell will be eternal. If of one, then it is equally certain and proper that all the wicked will perish for ever.

If it be asked how this crime of Judas could be so great, or could be a crime at all, when it was determined beforehand that the Saviour should be betrayed and die in this manner, it may be answered:

(1.) That the crime was what it was in itself, apart from any determination of God. It was a violation of all the duties he owed to God, and to the Lord Jesus; awful ingratitude, detestable covetousness, and most base treachery. As such it deserved to be punished.

(2.) The previous purpose of God did not force Judas to do this. In it he acted freely. He did just what his wicked heart prompted him to do.

(3.) A previous knowledge of a thing, or a previous purpose to permit a thing, does not alter its nature, or cause it to be a different thing from what it is.

(4.) God, who is the best judge of the nature of crime, holds all that was done in crucifying the Saviour, though it was by his determinate counsel and foreknowledge, "to be by wicked hands," "Ac 2:23". This punishment of Judas proves also that sinners cannot take shelter for their sins in the decrees of God, or plead them as an excuse. God will punish crimes for what they are in themselves. His own deep and inscrutable purposes in regard to human actions will not change the nature of those actions, or screen the sinner from the punishment which he deserves.

(a) "written of him" Ps 22:1 and following; Isa 53:1-12 Verse 25. Thou hast said. That is, thou hast said the truth. It is so. Thou art the man. Compare Mt 26:64, with Mk 14:62.

Matthew 26:48-50

Verse 48. Gave them a sign. That is, told them of a way by which they might know whom to apprehend, i.e., by his kissing him. It was night. Jesus was, besides, probably personally unknown to the Romans,perhaps to the others also. Judas, therefore, being well acquainted with him, to prevent the possibility of mistake, agreed to designate him by one of the tokens of friendship.

John tells us, that Jesus, knowing all things that should come upon him, when they approached him, asked them whom they sought? and that they replied, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus informed them that he was the person they sought. They, when they heard it, overawed by his presence, and smitten with the consciousness of guilt, went backward, and fell to the ground. He again asked them whom they sought. They made the same declaration--Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus then, since they professed to seek only him, claimed the right that his disciples should be suffered to escape;-- "that the saying might be fulfilled which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none," Jn 18:9. See also Jn 17:12.

(s) "saying" Ps 38:12 Verse 49. Hail, Master. The word translated hail, here means, to rejoice, to have joy; and also to have cause of joy. It thus expresses the joy which one friend has when he meets another, especially after an absence. It was used by the Jews and Greeks as a mode of salutation among friends. It would here seem to express the joy of Judas at finding his Master, and again being with him.

Master. In the original, Rabbi. Mt 23:7.

Kissed him. Gave him the common salutation of friends, when meeting after absence. This mode of salutation was more common among eastern nations than with us.

(t) "kissed him" 2Sam 3:27, 20:9, Ps 28:3 Verse 50. And Jesus said unto him, Friend. It seems strange to us that Jesus should give the endeared name friend to a man that he knew was his enemy, and that was about to betray him. It should be remarked, however, that this is the fault of our language, not of the original. In the Greek there are two words which our translators have rendered friend: one implying affection and regard, the other not. One is properly rendered friend, the other expresses more nearly what we mean by companion. It is this latter word which is given to the disaffected labourer in the vineyard: "Friend, I do thee no wrong," (Mt 20:13) to the guest which had not on the wedding garment, in the parable of the marriage feast, (Mt 22:12) and to Judas in this place.

Wherefore art thou come? This was said, not because he was ignorant why he had come, but probably to fill the mind of Judas with the consciousness of his crime, and by a striking question to compel him to think of what he was doing.

(u) "Friend" Ps 41:9, 55:13