Bible Strands
John 13:21
After Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit and testified, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray Me.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses His disciples during the meal, immediately following His declaration that receiving His messengers equals receiving God.
The words — The Greek verb ἐταράχθη (etarachthē) means "was troubled," literally describing Jesus' spirit becoming agitated before He announces the coming betrayal.
The thread — This declaration aligns with the betrayal prophecy in Matthew 26:21 and Mark 14:18, while John 13:18 specifies that the event fulfills Scripture concerning the chosen one.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to acknowledge that the Messiah proceeds toward betrayal with full knowledge, leaving the listeners to face the unexplained reality of chosen treachery.
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
When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Cross-references
- Matthew 26:21 And while they were eating, He said to them, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.”
- John 13:18 I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’
- Mark 14:18 And while they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you who is eating with Me will betray Me.”
- Luke 22:21 Look! The hand of My betrayer is with Mine on the table.
- John 12:27 Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour.
- Acts 1:16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus.
- 2 Corinthians 2:12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door stood open for me in the Lord,
- Matthew 26:38 Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”
- John 11:33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
- 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.