Matthew - 26:25



25 Judas, who betrayed him, answered, "It isn't me, is it, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You said it."

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Matthew 26:25.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
And Judas that betrayed him, answering, said: Is it I, Rabbi? He saith to him: Thou hast said it.
And Judas, who delivered him up, answering said, Is it I, Rabbi? He says to him, Thou hast said.
And Judas, he who delivered him up, answering said, 'Is it I, Rabbi?' He saith to him, 'Thou hast said.'
Then Judas, the disciple who was betraying Him, asked, "Can it be I, Rabbi?" "It is you," He replied.
And Judas, who was false to him, made answer and said, Is it I, Master? He says to him, Yes.
Then Judas, who betrayed him, responded by saying, "Surely, it is not I, Master?" He said to him, "You have said it."
Judas, who was betraying him, turned to him and said, "Can it be I, Rabbi?" "It is," answered Jesus.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

And Judas who betrayed him. Though we often see persons trembling, who are conscious of doing wrong, yet along with dread and secret torments there is mingled such stupidity, that they boldly make a fiat denial; but in the end they gain nothing by their impudence but to expose their hidden wickedness. Thus Judas, while he is restrained by an evil conscience, cannot remain silent; so dreadfully is he tormented, and, at the same time, overwhelmed with fear and anxiety, by that internal executioner. Christ, by indirectly glancing, in his reply, at the foolish rashness of Judas, entreats him to consider the crime which he wished to conceal; but his mind, already seized with diabolical rage, could not admit such a sentiment. Let us learn from this example, that the wicked, by bold apologies, do nothing more than draw down upon themselves a more sudden judgment.

Thou hast said - That is, thou hast said the truth. It is so. Thou art the man. Compare Matthew 26:64 with Mark 14:62.

Judas - said, Master, is it I? - What excessive impudence! He knew, in his conscience, that he had already betrayed his Master, and was waiting now for the servants of the chief priests, that he might deliver him into their hands; and yet he says, (hoping that he had transacted his business so privately that it had not yet transpired), Master, is it I? It is worthy of remark, that each of the other disciples said κυριε, Lord, is it I? But Judas dares not, or will not, use this august title, but simply says ραββι, Teacher, is it I?
Thou hast said - Συ ειπας, or אתון אמריתון atun amaritun, "Ye have said," was a common form of expression for Yes. It Is so. "When the Zipporenses inquired whether Rabbi Judas was dead? the son of Kaphra answered, Ye have said," i.e. He is dead. See Schoettgen. Hor. Hebr. p.

Then Judas, (k) which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
(k) Who was thinking of nothing else but to betray him.

Then Judas, which betrayed him,.... Or that was about to betray him, as the Ethiopic version reads it: he had taken a step towards it, was seeking an opportunity to do it, and at length effected it: the Persic version reads, Judas Iscariot; who after all the rest had put the question,
answered and said, Master, is it I? Who though he knew what he had been doing, and what he further resolved to do, and was conscious to himself he was the man; nay, though he had been pointed out as the person, and the most dreadful woe denounced on him, that should be the betrayer, in his hearing; yet all this did not at all affect his marble heart; but in the most audacious manner, and without any concern of mind, or show of guilt, asks if he was the person; suggesting, that surely he could, not mean him. It is observed by some, that the word Rabbi, used by Judas, is a more honourable name than that of Lord, used by the disciples; thereby reigning to give Christ more honour, and exceed in his respect to him, than the rest of the disciples; in order, if he could, to cover his wicked designs:
he said unto him, thou hast said: that is, it is as thou hast said; thou hast said right, thou art the man; a way of speaking used, when what is asked is assented to as truth: thus it being
"said to a certain person, is Rabbi dead? He replied to them, , "ye have said"; and they rent their clothes (i).''
Taking it for granted, by that answer, that so it was.
(i) T. Hieros Kilaim, fol. 32. 2.

Thou hast said. In other words, "Thou art the traitor." John says that Jesus then said to Judas, "What thou doest, do quickly" and that he "immediately went out, and it was night." Judas, therefore, left before the Lord's Supper was instituted.

Thou hast said - That is, it is as thou hast said.

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