What does Matthew 26:23 mean?

While eating the Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus has announced that one of them will betray Him (Matthew 26:20–21). Matthew's readers know Judas has already pocketed money for turning Jesus over to the chief priests (Matthew 26:14–16). The other 11 disciples will learn many of these details after the fact (John 12:6), but do not know the information at this time. In sorrow and fear, they each ask Jesus if they will be the betrayer (Matthew 26:22).

Jesus' answer is both cryptic and heartbreaking. It was common to dip a piece of bread or a piece of meat inside bread into a bowl containing a mix of fruit, nuts, and vinegar. This would have helped to cut the bitterness of the "bitter herbs." Sharing a common bowl in this way was a picture of hospitality and fellowship. In saying this, Jesus made the point that the one who will betray Him had shared closeness and intimacy: one who should have been a true friend.

In truth, this is a non-answer, since every one of them at some point dipped their hand into the same dish Jesus has used. John specifies that Jesus handed a piece of bread directly to Judas (John 13:26), a detail likely missed in the instant it happened and only understood once the disciples recounted their memories to one another.