John 13:27-30 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And after the sop, &c.— See the note on John 13:2.—After the account which St. Luke gives us of Christ's delivering the eucharistical bread and wine to his disciples, it is added, But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table, Luke 22:21. Whence some interpreters have thought that Judas was present likewise at that supper, and partook of it with the rest of the disciples; whereas St. John expressly says, that, having received the sop, he went immediately out; and this being given him at the paschal supper, he could not be present at the eucharist which followed it. In order therefore to reconcile these accounts, it seems necessary to suppose, that St. Luke has not observed the order of time as to this circumstance; but chose first to mention together what related to the two suppers, and then to subjoin that circumstance concerning Judas, which only respected the former. This will appear further, by laying together in one view the principal circumstances recorded by the several evangelists with relation to the treachery of Judas, which Christ thought fit to discover to the rest of his disciples at the paschal supper. After they were seated, Jesus saith to them, One of you shall betray me, John 13:21. Upon this they say to him, one by one, Is it I? Mark 14:19 and Peter, beckoning to John to ask Jesus of whom he spake, Jesus answered him softly, by saying, to whom I shall give this sop, &c. John 13:26. It seems also as if Judas, upon receiving the sop, asked that question with a low voice, Master is it I? and Jesus answered him in the same manner, thou hast said. Matthew 26:25. Then after the sop Satan entered into Judas; upon which Jesus, who of course knew this, said, what thou doest, do quickly: John 13:27 of this chapter. This probably was spoken with an audible voice; since it immediately follows, Now, &c. John 13:28-29. Hence it is plain, that what passed before between Jesus and Judas, was spoken softly; for, had the other disciples known thathe had been charged with treachery, they could never have imagined that Jesus would afterwards have employed himin any affair, in which they were all concerned. As what passed therefore during the supper at the house of Lazarus, seems to have induced Judas, by the instigation of the devil, to engage in his treachery; so another occurrence in this paschal supper might, by means of the same wicked agent, excite him to put it into execution.