The unmasking of the Traitor. The truth must now be told plainly. Jesus is troubled (John 12:27), and makes the solemn declaration, One of you shall betray. With the disciples-' looks of amazement contrast the Synoptic account, where their doubts are expressed. Jesus'special friend, reclining on His right, the left being the place of honour, is asked by a nod from the leader of the disciples, always ready to act on the spur of the moment, to find out secretly who is intended. The Lord's answer is apparently ambiguous. He to whom I give the sop would refer to all alike. No one (John 13:28), the Beloved Disciple included, knew why the Lord sent Judas off on an. immediate errand. In the light of later events the Beloved Disciple saw the significance of the fact that the Lord gave the sop to Judas first, which at the time seemed to be simply because He required his services elsewhere. Perhaps the author means that the Beloved Disciple did understand who the traitor was, but like the rest did not grasp the business on which the Lord despatched him. So it came about that he got safely out of the room, into the night, fit symbol of his business. John 13:29 shows that the Feast had not yet begun, or things could not have been bought. Jesus now knows that the first step is taken in the chain of events which is leading through Calvary to Messianic glory. And God is glorified in what the Son accomplishes and suffers, and in return will glorify Him by permitting His return to union with Himself.
John 13:21-32
21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said,Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
26 Jesus answered,He it is, to whom I shall give a sop,c when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him,That thou doest, do quickly.
28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said,Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.