A Dark Night and a Clear Command—When Love Shines in Betrayal (John 13:21-38)
In John 13:21–38, we step into one of the most emotional and intense moments of Jesus’ final night before the cross. It’s a night filled with pain, confusion, and surprising love.
Jesus shares that someone close to Him is about to betray Him. He gives His disciples a new command. And He predicts that even one of His most loyal followers will deny Him.
Let’s walk through it together.
Jesus Feels Deeply Troubled
After washing His disciples’ feet and showing them how to love and serve, Jesus suddenly becomes troubled. He looks around the table and says:
“One of you is going to betray me.” (v. 21)
Imagine the shock in the room. The disciples had followed Jesus for years. They had left everything to be with Him. Now He was saying one of them would turn against Him?
They began looking at each other, confused and worried. “Who is it?” they asked.
A Secret Signal
Peter motioned to the disciple sitting closest to Jesus—traditionally believed to be John—and told him to ask who Jesus meant.
Jesus answered quietly:
“It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread.” (v. 26)
Then He dipped the bread and handed it to Judas Iscariot.
Right after that, Scripture says:
“Satan entered into him.” (v. 27)
Jesus told Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” And Judas got up and left.
The others didn’t fully understand what had just happened. Some thought Judas was going out to buy something or give money to the poor. But John tells us:
“And it was night.” (v. 30)
That small line means more than just time of day—it was also a symbol of darkness entering the story.
A New Command
After Judas left, Jesus turned to the others and gave them something new to carry with them:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (v. 34)
This wasn’t just friendly advice. Jesus said this kind of love would be the mark of His followers:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (v. 35)
Not just love in general, but the kind of love Jesus showed—humble, self-giving, servant-hearted love.
Peter’s Bold Promise… and Jesus’ Response
Peter, never one to stay quiet, asked Jesus where He was going. Jesus told him that he couldn’t follow—not yet.
Peter insisted:
“I will lay down my life for you.” (v. 37)
But Jesus gently replied:
“Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” (v. 38)
Even Peter—bold, passionate, loyal—would soon fall short.
What This Teaches Us
This passage is full of emotion, but it gives us a few powerful truths to hold onto:
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Jesus knows our hearts. He wasn’t surprised by Judas’ betrayal or Peter’s denial. He loved them anyway.
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Real love is shown in action. Jesus didn’t just say “love each other”—He modeled it first. Now He calls us to do the same.
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Failure doesn’t stop God’s plan. Even though Peter would deny Him, Jesus didn’t give up on him. There is grace, even when we fall.
Final Thought:
This part of the story reminds us that Jesus understands pain, betrayal, and broken promises. Yet even in the middle of it all, He focused on love.
He told His disciples—and He tells us today:
“Love one another… as I have loved you.”
Even when things are hard. Even when people disappoint us. That’s how the world will know we follow Jesus.
John 13:21-38 (WEB)
13:21 When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”22 The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ chest. 24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.”25 He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ chest, asked him, “Lord, who is it?”26 Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him.Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”28 Now nobody at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 Therefore having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night.31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately. 33 Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come,’ so now I tell you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?”Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.”37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.