John 13:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.

NIV: His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.

NASB: The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking.

CSB: The disciples started looking at one another—uncertain which one he was speaking about.

NLT: The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean.

KJV: Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

NKJV: Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.

The name "Judas" has become synonymous with "traitor" in western culture. It's easy to forget that when Jesus ate this last supper with His inner circle, none of the disciples knew Judas was plotting to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14–16). Jesus hinted at an impending act of treachery earlier (John 13:18), but has now said so in plain terms (John 13:21).

Confusion and suspicion would have been natural reactions when hearing these words. Another emotion felt by these men is personal fear—the worry in each man's heart that Jesus is speaking about him, in particular. John glosses over details that other gospel writers include. Matthew notes that the disciples mournfully ask Jesus, "is it me?" in turn (Matthew 26:22). What's most likely on their minds is the idea of leaving Jesus, rejecting Him, or becoming one of His critics. It's unlikely any of these men imagined that "betrayal" here means one of the inner circle turning Jesus over to people seeking His death.

This moment also sets a dark tone over Peter's foolhardy promise, and Jesus' response. Later, Peter will claim he's ready to follow Jesus anywhere, even into death. Jesus will respond that Peter will deny even knowing Him three times (John 13:37–38). That statement might well have made the others suspect Peter as the betrayer.

John 13:21–30 describes Jesus' awareness that Judas is a false believer. Rather than outing Judas as a traitor, Jesus simply mentions that one of the group will betray Him. That blunt statement confuses the disciples, who look at each other with suspicion. Jesus subtly identifies Judas in a comment made to John. This goes unrecognized until much later. Judas, however, knows exactly what the gesture means. At that moment, he is entirely under the control of Satan, and Jesus tells him to leave. The disciples assume Judas has been sent on a private errand.

Jesus meets with a smaller group, possibly only the twelve disciples, in a private setting. Before eating a meal, Jesus performs the work of a lowly servant, washing the feet of the disciples. He explains that this is an object lesson. Their Lord is willing to serve in humility, so they are obligated to do the same. Jesus also predicts His impending betrayal, subtly telling Judas to leave and complete His conspiracy. The disciples don't realize what's happened, however. Peter foolishly brags about his loyalty. Jesus responds with a cutting prediction: Peter will deny his relationship to Christ three times in the next few hours.

The first twelve chapters of the gospel of John describe the public ministry of Jesus. Starting in chapter 13, most of what John describes are the last private moments Jesus enjoys prior to His crucifixion. This begins with Jesus washing the disciples' feet, establishing both an example and a command for humble service. Jesus also predicts His impending betrayal and Peter's cowardly denials. Following chapters contain Jesus' last instructions to the disciples, including a rich collection of truths which are central to the Christian faith.

The disciple John wrote the gospel of John decades after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls "signs"— to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.