Judas Iscariot Betrayed Jesus at the Last Supper — But Why?
Judas sat only feet away from Jesus at the Last Supper.
He listened to Christ teach and watched Him wash the disciples’ feet. He received bread directly from the Son of God Himself.
Yet within hours, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
The betrayal by Judas remains one of the most heartbreaking moments in all of Scripture. This is because it reveals something deeply unsettling: someone can walk close to Jesus outwardly while their heart remains far from Him.
John 13:18-38 shows us not only the darkness of betrayal. It also shows the incredible love, patience, and sovereignty of Christ in the middle of suffering.
Jesus Reveals His Betrayer (John 13:18-30)
Bible Study Guide
(Verses 18-20) Jesus knew who His betrayer was and He revealed it to His disciples in a sign so that they would also know. However, the disciples did not yet know what Christ meant by this. Even after Judas Iscariot left them all, they still didn’t understand.
Jesus offers the second of three “Very truly I tell you” phrases within this passage. His words affirm the interlocking characteristic of the Father and the Son together as one. This is also what John just previously recorded in verse 3.
(Verse 21) Jesus felt the way we would feel if we had someone close to us betray us the way Judas Iscariot was about to betray Christ. In addition, Jesus reveals His betrayal again in His third “Very truly I tell you” phrase.
It’s important for us to understand that Jesus knows our troubles, trials and tribulations. He experienced them Himself and can fully relate to our suffering in this world. He reminds us that He’s here with us in our suffering through the power of His Holy Spirit.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33)
“Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.”
(Psalm 119:143)
(Verses 22-30) John refers to himself here as “the disciple that Jesus loved.” This was not meant to be a boastful statement but rather one of thankfulness to Jesus that He loved him at all. Moreover, we know that Jesus shared a very special relationship with John throughout His ministry and afterwards. This is revealed through Christ giving John the words of the book of Revelation when He was presumably the last living apostle.
Judas betrayed Jesus in order to fulfill the Messianic prophecy in Zechariah 11:12-13.
Jesus reveals the coming betrayal while still moving steadily toward the cross. This pivotal moment fits within the larger narrative explored in our complete study of John chapters 11–21.
Reflect:
Judas betrayed Jesus while hiding behind the appearance of discipleship.
That should cause every believer to pause and examine their own heart.
It’s possible to know Scripture intellectually while resisting true surrender to Christ internally.
Jesus was not surprised by Judas’ betrayal. Yet He still showed him patience, mercy, and love until the very end.
Apply:
Are there areas in your life where you are resisting Christ while still appearing faithful outwardly?
True discipleship is not just proximity to Jesus. It is surrender to Him.
Peter Promised Loyalty — Then Failed Miserably (John 13:31-32)
(Verses 31-32) At this time, Judas Iscariot had left Jesus and the eleven disciples to do what had to be fulfilled. In addition, Christ had sequestered Himself and His disciples in a private upper room.
This part of John’s gospel begins what is known as the Upper Room Discourse.
Jesus will begin a lengthy dissertation on spiritual matters. He’ll prepare His disciples spiritually on the things of heaven that matter most for what’s about to come in the following days.
The Upper Room Discourse occurs only a day or two before He reveals stunning imagery of the last days in His Olivet Discourse on the Mt. Of Olives. These events will be focused on the Jews during the time of the rapture and leading up to His Second Coming.
It’s likely the disciples see their world crumbling around them as more is revealed to them for which they don’t understand. Also, Jesus reminds His disciples that God is Sovereign. All that He’s ordained to happen will happen.
God will glorify Himself through Jesus and Jesus will be glorified. Everything that’s happening and about to happen is under the full control of God. They need to just put their trust in Him.
This can also be applied to our own world today. As things appear to be falling apart, they’re really just falling into place. Just as we’ve been reminded in this passage. All the things that are occurring in this world must happen to fulfill all that God has spoken of through His prophets and His Son.
Reflect and Apply:
Judas stayed close to Jesus outwardly while drifting far from Him inwardly.
Ask yourself honestly: Is your relationship with Christ growing deeper, or are you only maintaining appearances?
Continue Your John Study
If this moment shocked the disciples, the next chapters become even more powerful as Jesus begins preparing them for His death, resurrection, and return.
→ Read: “I and the Father Are One”
→ Read: “Why Did Jesus Wash the Disciples’ Feet?”
→ Read: “What Is the Rapture in the Bible?”
Why Jesus Spoke About Love in the Middle of Betrayal (John 13:33-35)
(Verses 33-35) As John often does in his recordings, He begins a chapter on one theme, in this case the theme of love. Then he circles back to it at the end of the chapter.
“Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”
(John 13:1)
Jesus introduces a new command that places a great responsibility on His disciples as well as all Christians who are true followers of Christ. For example, in John 13:1, Jesus demonstrates that He loved His people to the end, even when they rejected and persecuted Him up to His death.
This is the example He set forth for His disciples. They’re to not only to love one another but to also love their enemy as Jesus stated in Matthew 5:43-48.
By this command they would be set apart as followers of Christ. They would be recognized just as Christ is recognized as one who loves all.
Peter Was Strong in Words but Weak in the Flesh (John 13:36-38)
(Verse 36) We see Simon Peter change the subject as he attempts to try and understand what Jesus is talking about.
Notice here again, John uses the names Simon Peter and Peter interchangeably. He continues as he did in the beginning of the chapter. He points to Simon’s status as the ‘rock” that Christ is grooming to eventually become.
It would only be after his denial of Christ and Jesus’ return to bless them with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Only then would Simon Peter fully satisfy the role of being Peter the “rock” of the church. This would fulfill the start of what Christ predicted in Matthew 16:18, “upon this rock I will build my church.”
(Verses 37-38) Much like the Peter we saw in the beginning of the chapter, he acts with much bravado. He does this not fully understanding all that’s taking place and is about to occur.
Judas Iscariot and Peter both failed Jesus that night.
One betrayed Christ and never returned.
The other denied Christ but wept bitterly in repentance.
The difference was not the size of the sin — it was the condition of the heart.
How Jesus Restores Broken People After Failure
Peter’s denial of Jesus is one of the events that we find recorded in all four gospel accounts.
John 13 reveals two responses to failure.
Judas hardened his heart and walked into darkness. Peter collapsed in weakness but eventually returned to Christ in repentance.
Christ wanted Peter to be an empty shell of himself in weakness and despair. It’s in this very state of human existence when we desperately realize we need a savior. It’s in our weakness and affliction that Christ’ strength is made perfect in us.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
The more we pray to ask God to empty us of ourselves, the more room we make for the strength of Christ to enter our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. In other words, it’s in our weakness and affliction that we can experience the full power of a relationship with Christ.
The warning of Judas and the restoration of Peter remind us that Jesus does not seek perfect people. He seeks hearts willing to repent, trust Him, and follow Him fully.
Even in betrayal, denial, weakness, and suffering, Christ remains faithful.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Search our hearts and expose anything in us that resists Your will. Keep us from becoming hardened like Judas, and teach us to repent quickly when we fail like Peter. Thank You for loving us even in our weakness. Strengthen our faith, deepen our obedience, and help us love others the way You have loved us.
It’s in Your mighty name we pray, Amen.