But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. (Luke 22:21-23).

Luke records that immediately after partaking of the bread and wine, the Lord further warned the disciples. The drama was now reaching its climax, and Judas must have become increasingly restless as he heard the repeated warnings of the Lord, and meditated his intentions. It seems incredible that a man could continue on in such a course as he had selected in the face of such warnings; but it reminds us how hard the human heart can become. This was the man that earlier had rejoicingly returned to the Lord with a report of how the people had listened to his discourses on the Gospel, and how he had healed thern. But having gone so far along the downward path, Judas found it impossible to return.

The Betrayer Is Present!

Before partaking of the bread and wine, the Lord had given a solemn warning against betrayal, and had reminded them that one in their midst would be guilty of a base act of treachery.

Actually, the warning was needed by all, for all in measure would betray the Lord before the crisis was over.

So, having partaken of the bread and wine, he continued his warning:

"Behold," he declared, "the hand of the man that is betraying me is beside me upon the table! True, the Son of Man will go as determined, but alas for that man by whom he is betrayed!"

This additional warning caused discussion. Who would act in such a base manner? The Lord offered no further explanation, and the Apostles began to quietly enquire among themselves, each with his neighbour, as to who would do such a thing.

Judas Goes Into The Night

Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. 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. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. (John 13:23-30).

From Luke's account, we must now turn to that of John to follow the sequence. The connecting verses are Luke 22:23 and John 13:22. Luke records that the Apostles all commenced enquiring amonG themselves as to who would betray the Lord, and now John records how the question was put directly to Jesus.

Though supper was over, the Apostles and the Lord still remained reclining around the table in the manner of the times, each with his head directed towards his neighbour. Two or more would Lay on a couch, each resting on his left elbow, with his feet sloping away from the table towards the back of the couch. He that turned his back on his next neighbour was said to be lying on his bosom.

John occupied that honored position as far as the Lord was concerned.

He was in a position therefore, where, bY leaninG, back a little further, he could whisper to the Lord without being heard.

Peter saw that, and from his position, he secretly gestured to John that he should ask Jesus who would be the betrayer (see John 13:24).

John, just as curious as Peter, did so. He leaned back on the breast of Jesus (v.25 - Diaglott), and whispered: "Lord, who is it?"

Naturally, nobody heard the whisper except he for whom it was intended: Jesus.

He replied in an answering whisper, so that nobody heard it except John:

"It is the one," whispered Jesus, "to whom I shall give a piece of bread after dipping it."

He stretched forth his hand, and taking a piece of bread, he dipped it and handed it to Judas.

Normally, companions helped themselves to food upon a table, but to pass food to another in such a way as that, was an indication of friendship. And it was doubtless so meant by the Lord. Judas had a dark thought of betrayal in his heart it is true, and he had heard Jesus warn the Apostles against such an action as he contemplated, but this act of friendship suggested that he could still receive full fellowship if only he turned from the projected betrayal. Judas, on his part, may have misjudged the action of the Lord, and perhaps interpreted it as indicating that Jesus did not have him in mind when he spake of one betraying him. Thus he could have taken this act of friendship as an indication that his secret was still not properly known, or, at least, the extent of his proposed betrayal not fully comprehended.

Therefore, he felt within himself that the time for action had come.

John declares: "After the sop Satan entered into him."

The evil thought came to him that the moment was propitious for the act he intended. Already the "devil" had put into his heart what to do (see John 13:2), in that the Jewish leaders had prompted the idea, and now self interest and personal advantage drove him to the deed (ep. John 12:10). He saw Jesus isolated with his apostles, and realised that this was the very opportunity for which he had been waiting.

So, the thought entered his heart that he would seize the first opportunity to slip away and betray the circumstances to the Jewish leaders.

Whilst he was thinking upon this, and probably munching the morsel of bread given to him, he heard the voice of Jesus directed to him:

"Do what you are going to do at once!"

It was the final appeal. He could do one of two things: repent or betray; but whatever the choice, now was the time to act.

None around the table understood what the Lord meant by those words. Even John, who had been told who the betrayer was, did not realise the extent of the betrayal. The disciples thought that the Lord's words to Judas were a directive to Judas to buy something in preparation for the passover about to take place, or, perhaps to give something to the poor.

Even Judas misunderstanding the act of friendship extended to him by Jesus, did not realise that the Lord read the depths of his heart, and knew the extent of his infamy.

He recognised that this was a wonderful opportunity to excuse himself without anybody realising what he was doing.

And so, "having received the sop" he went immediately out.

And John adds: "It was night."

This Apostle went out into the blackness of the night; but even so his heart was blacker! He left the upper room, and the presence of the Sun of Righteousness for the darkness of a Jewish night that was typical of that about to fall upon the nation, and upon him personally.

What an opportunity had been his! How much he was giving away! What was he to receive? He had received "the sop." The Diaglott renders it as "the little piece." It was his reward for the gross betrayal he was about to commit.

He walked out into the night both literally and figuratively. A night that brought for him utter despair, and a suicidal death; the blackness of oblivion, and the utter condemnation of the rejected.

How many have followed Judas into, the night!