Bible Strands
John 13:2
The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative places the scene at the Passover evening meal, occurring just before Jesus departs the world to return to the Father. It describes the moment when Jesus, having loved His disciples to the end, is present while the supper is underway.
The words — The text uses γινομένου (ginomenou), meaning "taking place," to describe the supper, and βεβληκότος (beblēkotos), meaning "having put," to describe the devil's action. These participles establish the simultaneous reality of the ongoing meal and the completed spiritual influence on Judas.
The thread — This theme of spiritual influence on a disciple's heart appears in Luke 22:3, where Satan enters Judas, and Acts 5:3, where Satan fills a heart to deceive. In contrast, James 1:13 explicitly states that God never tempts anyone, distinguishing divine sovereignty from the devil's direct action.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to acknowledge that evil action occurs within the context of Christ's deliberate, loving presence. It demands recognition that betrayal proceeds under divine permissibility while Christ remains fully in control of His mission.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
Cross-references
- James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.
- Acts 5:3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?
- Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve.
- Luke 22:31 Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat.
- John 6:70 Jesus answered them, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”
- John 13:26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this morsel after I have dipped it.” Then He dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.
- 2 Corinthians 8:16 But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.
- Ephesians 2:3 All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.
- Revelation 17:17 For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
- Ezra 7:27 Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put into the heart of the king to so honor the house of the LORD in Jerusalem,