Day 256: Jesus and the Disciples Share the Last Supper


*John 13:21-38

Jesus predicts his betrayal, gives a new commandment of love, and foretells Peter’s denial.

  • Jesus Predicts Betrayal:
    • After washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus becomes troubled in spirit.
    • He announces that one of them will betray him.
    • The disciples are puzzled and unsure whom he means, prompting them to look at one another.
  • Identifying the Betrayer:
    • Peter signals to John, the disciple Jesus loved, to ask who the betrayer is.
    • Leaning against Jesus, John asks for the identity of the betrayer.
    • Jesus replies that he will give a piece of dipped bread to the betrayer.
    • He dips the bread and hands it to Judas Iscariot.
    • After receiving the bread, Satan enters Judas, and Jesus tells him to do what he is planning quickly.
    • The other disciples misunderstand, thinking Judas is being told to buy items for the festival or give something to the poor.
    • Judas leaves immediately, and it is night.
  • A New Commandment:
    • After Judas departs, Jesus tells his disciples that the time has come for him to be glorified, bringing glory to God.
    • He refers to them as “little children” and states that he will only be with them for a short while longer.
    • He gives them a new commandment: to love one another as he has loved them.
    • He explains that through their love, everyone will know they are his disciples.
  • Peter’s Denial Predicted:
    • Peter asks where Jesus is going, and Jesus replies that Peter cannot follow now but will follow later.
    • Peter insists that he will follow Jesus wherever he goes and even lay down his life for him.
    • Jesus responds by predicting that Peter will deny knowing him three times before the rooster crows.

13:21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

13:22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

13:24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.

13:25 He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? 13:26 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.

13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

13:28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.

13:29 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.

13:30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

13:31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

13:32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

13:33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

13:36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

13:37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

13:38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.