Luke 22:21
But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
Original Language Analysis
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεὶρ
the hand
G5495
χεὶρ
the hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
4 of 12
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραδιδόντος
of him that betrayeth
G3860
παραδιδόντος
of him that betrayeth
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
6 of 12
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
μετ'
is with
G3326
μετ'
is with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
Cross References
Historical Context
First-century Passover meals involved reclining at a low table with fellow participants in close physical proximity. Sharing bread and wine created covenant bonds of loyalty and trust. Judas's betrayal violated the most sacred social and religious obligations of Jewish culture, making his act incomprehensibly wicked to the other disciples.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Judas's participation in the Lord's Supper while planning betrayal warn against presuming on God's grace through mere ritual observance?
- What does Jesus's calm acknowledgment of betrayal reveal about His sovereignty over evil circumstances?
- In what ways might we 'betray' Christ while maintaining outward religious participation?
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Analysis & Commentary
The hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table—Judas, the betrayer (ὁ παραδιδούς με, ho paradidous me), reclined at the sacred Passover meal even as Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper. The intimacy of shared table fellowship (κοινωνία, koinonia) in Jewish culture made this betrayal particularly heinous—Psalm 41:9 prophesied, "mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me."
Jesus revealed the betrayal immediately after establishing the New Covenant in His blood, showing that divine sovereignty encompasses even treachery. The proximity of the hand (ἡ χείρ, he cheir) emphasizes the shocking nearness of evil to holiness, yet Christ's mission remained unhindered.