Bible Strands
John 13:22
The disciples looked at one another, perplexed as to which of them He meant.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus has just announced that one present disciple will betray Him, occurring during the Last Supper as the group reclines together. The twelve hear this declaration directly from Him and react in immediate confusion.
The words — ἀποροῦμενοι (aporoumenoi) literally means "being uncertain" or "perplexed," capturing the disciples' mental state. ἔβλεπον (eblepon) means "were looking," describing their physical turning toward each other.
The thread — This shared confusion appears in the Synoptic Gospels where the disciples question among themselves who will commit the act (Matthew 26:22; Mark 14:19; Luke 22:23). All four Gospels record this identical moment of mutual suspicion before Jesus reveals the betrayer's identity.
Why it lands — The text states the disciples looked at one another in uncertainty about Jesus' reference, then demands the reader confront the natural human tendency toward self-doubt when faced with direct prophetic warning. It requires honest recognition of personal vulnerability to failure without offering immediate reassurance.
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
Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
Cross-references
- Luke 22:23 Then they began to question among themselves which of them was going to do this.
- Matthew 26:22 They were deeply grieved and began to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?”
- Mark 14:19 They began to be grieved and to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I?”
- Genesis 42:1 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?”