Luke 22:21-23 21But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!” 23And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.
In the next verse, Luke records Jesus’ prediction of betrayal. Luke’s version is a brief summary of what John describes in John 13. Luke gave a brief summary of what Jesus said about who would betray him. To have a hand on the table is a figure of speech called synecdoche, representing the whole person. The table represents where the disciples had gathered and shared the meal with Jesus. The substantival participle who betrays is present tense, implying that Judas was already in the process of betrayal. Judas sat through the Passover meal and heard the same teaching as the other disciples, but his direction was already set. He had seen and experience miracles, but his doubts opened the door for Satan to enter. Judas could not humble himself enough to seek forgiveness and change his thinking.
Verse 22 creates a theological challenge with the perfect passive participle has been determined (hōrismenon). The passive voice implies that Jesus’ betrayal was part of God’s plan in the story of redemption. The perfect tense shows that the plan was made in the past and was unfolding in the present. Did God specifically ordain and determine that Judas would be the betrayer? Did Judas have any input or decision in the process? The mystery of the divine/human part of the betrayal cannot be determined, but both were involved. Judas’ doubts, disappointments, and questions about Jesus and how Jesus did not meet some unstated expectations created the situation for Satan to influence Judas. Whatever the case, Judas was not innocent of his decision. Jesus pronounced as woe upon the unnamed person in his prediction.
The disciples wondered about what Jesus said. Many things were happening to them at this point. It was an intense time, with great heights such as the triumphal entry, great power and authority with the clearing of the temple, and great theology with the temple teachings and the Passover meal. Their challenges were not finished for the week but only beginning. Eleven of the disciples were confused and wondering who could do such a thing, but Judas knew. We can imagine his discomfort at that moment. His resolve to move forward was only getting stronger as he hardened his heart more.
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