John 13:18-20 18I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, ‘The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19Right now I am telling you before it happens, so that you may believe when it happens that I am. 20Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who receives whomever I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
Jesus continued to talk about his betrayer without naming who that would be. He had spoken previously about being betrayed (6:71; 12:4; 13:2), however, not everyone would betray him, although each disciple would struggle in some way with what was about to happen. Verse 8 poses a theological challenge with the English translation that clears up in the Greek. It may seem that Jesus intentionally chose Judas as a disciple to one day betray him, as implied with the phrase, I know whom I have chosen. However, the word whom in this phrase is plural, referring to all twelve of the apostles. Jesus chose all them for his special purpose of being sent out. Judas was one of the disciples sent out in special mission. Something happened in his heart along the way when he either did not fully repent or let sin, and thus, Satan, slip in and derail his focus and devotion.
The theological issue shows up in the next phrase in verse 8 about the betrayer fulfilling Scripture. Although Judas had a choice in what he did and was accountable for his decision, his betrayal was also predicted in Scripture and what a part of the divine plan for Jesus’ journey to the cross. Jesus cites Psalm 41:9 to indicate that there would be someone who would share his bread and then betray him. This psalm is a lament of David of how friends betrayed and abandoned him. Jesus’ experience mirrored this aspect of David’s experience. In that culture, it was especially bad for one who shared a meal then to betray that person. Sharing a meal was a form of bond. Judas shared bread with Jesus and then broke the bond of fellowship and friendship implied in sharing this meal. Judas was more than a passive pawn in a big chess game. He was involved by making his own free will choice at some point, possibly after the event with Mary in chapter 12.
In his divine enablement and close relationship with the Father, Jesus knew what would soon happen with Judas. He predicted quite precisely by citing the passage from Psalm 41 that the betrayal would happen at the meal. Verse 19 states that he purposefully told his disciples this. The reason, stated in a purpose clause, is significant and echoes what John recorded many times in his Gospel. Jesus wanted his disciples to know that he is the I am (egō eimi). Jesus carefully prepared his disciples at the Last Supper for what would soon take place. He had predicted his suffering and death multiple times (as noted in the Synoptic Gospels). At this point, he predicts precisely what would happen with a betrayer among them. The disciples may not have understood what he said at that point, but with later reflection, they could remember and realize that only the Great I AM could make such predictions. What was about to happen would be another sign and confirmation that Jesus was the Son of God and predicted Messiah.
Verse 20 gives another timeless truth that seems out of place in reference to Jesus’ betrayal. The saying is similar to one found in Matthew 10:40. This verse connects four persons in a succeeding pattern. The first person is the one who receives, which would refer to someone outside the group, possibly an unbeliever. The second person is whomever I send, which would refer to one of the disciples, or more specifically, a “sent out one,” meaning one of the apostles. The third person is Jesus, and the fourth person is God the Father. Because Jesus is the I AM, those who accept him also accept God the Father. The corollary is also true: rejecting Jesus means rejecting God. This verse prepared for the later commission found in 20:21. The disciples would become the extension of Jesus’ mission. The context of this verse within the framework of betrayal implies that one of the twelve apostles would break this pattern and not be part of the mission of bringing unbelievers to the Father. What Judas did was more than betray Jesus. He was also betraying God the Father and God’s plan of redemption for those on the outside. Jesus was warning his disciples of all time to be careful not to follow Judas’ example and what was about to take place.
For older posts, click here.
