Matthew 26:20-25
“Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.”
King James Version · the opening — all 6 verses are below
Jesus predicting Judas's betrayal as scripturally foreordained yet personally culpable.
Read the whole passage — all 6 verses (KJV)
26:20Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
26:21And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
26:22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
26:23And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
26:24The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
26:25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Fulfillment References
Psalm 41:9 Acts 1:16 John 13:18
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal'The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed.' Jesus holds together two truths — His death was foretold and purposed by God, yet the betrayer was fully responsible. The Lord Jesus, God in flesh, walked the scripted path of redemption with open eyes, even naming His betrayer at the table.
JewishThe Last Supper narrative is not part of Jewish tradition; 'as it is written' appeals to the Hebrew Scriptures of the suffering righteous.
CatholicThe divine plan and human guilt held together; Christ's foreknowledge of the betrayer at the institution of the Eucharist.
ProtestantJesus affirms both the scriptural necessity of His death and Judas's accountability — divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
AcademicThe Synoptic betrayal-prediction; 'as it is written' likely points to Psalm 41:9 (cited in John 13:18) and the suffering-righteous tradition.
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Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, D.Min. · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.