Bible Strands
Matthew 26:25
Then Judas, who would betray Him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said it yourself.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — During the Passover meal, Judas asks Jesus, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus responds directly to him.
The words — The Greek μήτι (mēti) literally means “surely not ever,” framing Judas’s question as a denial that expects a negative confirmation. Jesus’ reply uses the verb εἶπεν (eipen), “said,” to state the fact without elaboration.
The thread — Jesus uses the identical phrase “You have said it yourself” when questioned by the Sanhedrin in Matthew 26:64 and before Pilate in Matthew 27:11. Luke 22:70 records the same formula when the disciples ask if He is the Son of God.
Why it lands — The text states Jesus confirms Judas’s identity without evasion or plea. This requires a reader to acknowledge that divine foreknowledge and human responsibility operate simultaneously in the betrayal narrative.
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 Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Cross-references
- Matthew 26:64 “You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
- Matthew 27:11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, who questioned Him: “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
- Luke 22:70 So they all asked, “Are You then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.”
- John 18:37 “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”
- 2 Kings 5:25 When Gehazi went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Gehazi, where have you been?” “Your servant did not go anywhere,” he replied.
- Proverbs 30:20 This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’
- Matthew 23:7 the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.
- Matthew 26:49 Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.