John 13:2
And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δείπνου
supper
G1173
δείπνου
supper
Strong's:
G1173
Word #:
2 of 16
dinner, i.e., the chief meal (usually in the evening)
γενομένου,
being ended
G1096
γενομένου,
being ended
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
3 of 16
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βεβληκότος
put
G906
βεβληκότος
put
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
7 of 16
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
8 of 16
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίαν
the heart
G2588
καρδίαν
the heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
10 of 16
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
Ἰούδα
of Judas
G2455
Ἰούδα
of Judas
Strong's:
G2455
Word #:
11 of 16
judas (i.e., jehudah), the name of ten israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region
Ἰσκαριώτου
Iscariot
G2469
Ἰσκαριώτου
Iscariot
Strong's:
G2469
Word #:
13 of 16
inhabitant of kerioth; iscariotes (i.e., keriothite), an epithet of judas the traitor
Historical Context
Judas had been stealing from the disciples' money bag (John 12:6) and objected to Mary's "wasteful" anointing of Jesus (John 12:4-5). His disillusionment may have stemmed from Jesus's refusal to establish an earthly kingdom. Satan exploited these sinful attitudes. Church history debates Judas's motives—greed, political disappointment, or satanic possession—but Scripture emphasizes both satanic influence and Judas's moral culpability. Acts 1:25 says Judas "fell away" to his "own place," implying genuine apostasy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Satan exploit human weakness and sinful desires to accomplish his purposes, and how can we guard against this?
- What does Judas's betrayal teach about the danger of unrepentant sin and hardened hearts even in proximity to Jesus?
- How do we reconcile God's sovereign plan (the cross was predetermined, Acts 2:23) with Judas's genuine guilt and moral responsibility?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And supper being ended (καὶ δείπνου γινομένου)—More literally "supper being in progress" or "while supper was happening." This is the Passover meal (or the meal immediately preceding it, depending on Synoptic/Johannine chronology). The context is intimate fellowship before betrayal.
The devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot (τοῦ διαβόλου ἤδη βεβληκότος εἰς τὴν καρδίαν)—The perfect tense "having put" (βεβληκότος/beblēkotos) indicates Satan had already planted the intention to betray. Luke 22:3 says "Satan entered into Judas," showing satanic agency behind the betrayal. Yet Judas remained morally responsible—Satan exploited Judas's greed and disillusionment but didn't override his will.
To betray him (ἵνα παραδῷ αὐτόν)—The verb paradidōmi (παραδῷ) means to hand over, deliver up, betray. It's used of Judas's betrayal, the Father's giving the Son (Romans 8:32), and Jesus's willing self-surrender (Galatians 2:20). Judas's evil act became part of God's sovereign plan—divine sovereignty and human responsibility mysteriously intertwined.