Jesus has been speaking to his disciples, telling them how they should live in his absence. Judas has left the room to betray him.
As Jesus leaves, he promises a replacement for himself, the Counselor, who will not ever leave the disciples. The Christian now recognizes that Jesus is speaking of the Holy Spirit, provided more fully at Pentecosst.
John 14: 22-26, Follow my teachings ... and the Holy Spirit
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you.
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
The disciples are to follow the teachings of Jesus and that will be made possible by the promised Holy Spirit.
John 14: 27-31a, Peace
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.
30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me,
31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
Something deep is going on here. Evil, represented by "the prince of this world" is being allowed to win, for a time. But Jesus is at peace and passes this security on to his followers. I only understand parts of this.
John 14: 31b, Time to leave
"Come now; let us leave.
This chapter ends with this a short sentence, as if everyone is about to stand up and leave. Yet the intimate teachings continue for three more chapters. It is likely that they continue as they walk towards the Mount of Olives.
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Friday, March 30, 2018
John 14: 15-21, The Counselor
Jesus has been speaking to his disciples, telling them how they should live in his absence. Judas has left the room to betray him.
Both Thomas and Philip are fixating on a literal journey and Jesus, with a hint of frustration, explains that he is (or represents) the Father.
Is this promise, "Ask in my name", just to Philip and the disciples? Or is it universal? What does it mean?
John 14: 15-27, The Counselor
“If you love me, keep my commands.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
This is an interesting promise.
John 14: 18-21, Not Orphans!
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
As Jesus leaves, he promises a replacement for himself, the Counselor, who will not ever leave the disciples. The Christian now recognizes that Jesus is speaking of the Holy Spirit, provided more fully at Pentecost.
Both Thomas and Philip are fixating on a literal journey and Jesus, with a hint of frustration, explains that he is (or represents) the Father.
Is this promise, "Ask in my name", just to Philip and the disciples? Or is it universal? What does it mean?
John 14: 15-27, The Counselor
“If you love me, keep my commands.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
This is an interesting promise.
John 14: 18-21, Not Orphans!
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
As Jesus leaves, he promises a replacement for himself, the Counselor, who will not ever leave the disciples. The Christian now recognizes that Jesus is speaking of the Holy Spirit, provided more fully at Pentecost.
Thursday, March 29, 2018
John 14: 8-14, Ask!
Jesus has been speaking to his disciples, telling them how they should live in his absence. Judas has left the room to betray him.
Thomas asks a good question. "Where are you going?" The disciples thinks Jesus is going into exile. But Jesus is speaking metaphorically, about an eternal kingdom, of which the path is simply through him.
John 14: 8-11, I am in the Father and He is in me
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
Both Thomas and Philip are fixating on a literal journey and Jesus, with a hint of frustration, explains that he is (or represents) the Father.
This is a strong theme of the gospel of John; Jesus repeatedly identifies himself with God.
John 14: 12-14, Ask!
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Is this promise, "Ask in my name", just to Philip and the disciples? Or is it universal? What does it mean? It does come with implied conditions: the answers are part of God being glorified.
Thomas asks a good question. "Where are you going?" The disciples thinks Jesus is going into exile. But Jesus is speaking metaphorically, about an eternal kingdom, of which the path is simply through him.
John 14: 8-11, I am in the Father and He is in me
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
Both Thomas and Philip are fixating on a literal journey and Jesus, with a hint of frustration, explains that he is (or represents) the Father.
This is a strong theme of the gospel of John; Jesus repeatedly identifies himself with God.
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Is this promise, "Ask in my name", just to Philip and the disciples? Or is it universal? What does it mean? It does come with implied conditions: the answers are part of God being glorified.
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
John 14: 1-7, I Go to Prepare a Place
Jesus has been speaking to his disciples, telling them how they should live in his absence. Judas has left the room to betray him.
John 14: 1-4, In my Father's house
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
NIV footnotes: in verse 1, "You believe in God" could be a command, "Believe in God."
Jesus prepares to leave but reassures his followers that he has a longterm plan that includes preparing a home for them. There is a "mansion" in the house of God with lots of rooms.... Jesus explains that he will come back to lead them there, but that they already know the way. This must partially be metaphor; if Jesus plans to die (and rise again) and the disciples will eventually all die, then this House of God is a futuristic place, possibly after the Resurrection of all?
John 14: 5-7, The Way, Truth, Life
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Thomas asks a good question. "Where are you going?" The disciples thinks Jesus is going into exile. But Jesus is speaking metaphorically, about an eternal kingdom, of which the path is simply through him.
NIV footnotes: in verse 7 some manuscripts have "If you really knew me, you would know" instead of "will know".
John 14: 1-4, In my Father's house
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
NIV footnotes: in verse 1, "You believe in God" could be a command, "Believe in God."
Jesus prepares to leave but reassures his followers that he has a longterm plan that includes preparing a home for them. There is a "mansion" in the house of God with lots of rooms.... Jesus explains that he will come back to lead them there, but that they already know the way. This must partially be metaphor; if Jesus plans to die (and rise again) and the disciples will eventually all die, then this House of God is a futuristic place, possibly after the Resurrection of all?
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Thomas asks a good question. "Where are you going?" The disciples thinks Jesus is going into exile. But Jesus is speaking metaphorically, about an eternal kingdom, of which the path is simply through him.
NIV footnotes: in verse 7 some manuscripts have "If you really knew me, you would know" instead of "will know".
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
John 14, Counselor (Overview)
Jesus has been speaking to his disciples, telling them how they should live in his absence. Judas has left the room to betray him.
John 14: 1-4, In my Father's house
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."
Jesus prepares to leave but reassures his followers that he has a longterm plan that includes preparing a home for them.
John 14: 5-7, The Way, Truth, Life
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
Thomas asks a good question. "Where are you going?" The disciples thinks Jesus is going into exile. But Jesus is speaking metaphorically, about an eternal kingdom, of which the path is simply through him.
John 14: 8-14, Ask!
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Both Thomas and Philip are fixating on a literal journey and Jesus, with a hint of frustration, explains that he is (or represents) the Father.
Is this promise, "Ask in my name", just to Philip and the disciples? Or is it universal? What does it mean?
John 14: 15-21, The Counselor
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever‑‑ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
As Jesus leaves, he promises a replacement for himself, the Counselor, who will not ever leave the disciples. The Christian now recognizes that Jesus is speaking of the Holy Spirit, provided more fully at Pentecosst.
John 14: 22-26, Follow my teachings ... and the Holy Spirit
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
The disciples are to follow the teachings of Jesus and that will be made possible by the promised Holy Spirit.
John 14: 27-31a, Peace
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
You heard me say, `I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.
I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me."
Something deep is going on here. Evil, represented by "the prince of this world" is being allowed to win, for a time. But Jesus is at peace and passes this security on to his followers. I only understand parts of this.
John 14: 31b, Time to leave
"Come now; let us leave.
This chapter ends with this a short sentence, as if everyone is about to stand up and leave. Yet the intimate teachings continue for three more chapters. It is likely that they continue as they walk towards the Mount of Olives.
John 14: 1-4, In my Father's house
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."
Jesus prepares to leave but reassures his followers that he has a longterm plan that includes preparing a home for them.
John 14: 5-7, The Way, Truth, Life
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
Thomas asks a good question. "Where are you going?" The disciples thinks Jesus is going into exile. But Jesus is speaking metaphorically, about an eternal kingdom, of which the path is simply through him.
John 14: 8-14, Ask!
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Both Thomas and Philip are fixating on a literal journey and Jesus, with a hint of frustration, explains that he is (or represents) the Father.
Is this promise, "Ask in my name", just to Philip and the disciples? Or is it universal? What does it mean?
John 14: 15-21, The Counselor
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever‑‑ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
As Jesus leaves, he promises a replacement for himself, the Counselor, who will not ever leave the disciples. The Christian now recognizes that Jesus is speaking of the Holy Spirit, provided more fully at Pentecosst.
John 14: 22-26, Follow my teachings ... and the Holy Spirit
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
The disciples are to follow the teachings of Jesus and that will be made possible by the promised Holy Spirit.
John 14: 27-31a, Peace
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
You heard me say, `I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.
I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me."
Something deep is going on here. Evil, represented by "the prince of this world" is being allowed to win, for a time. But Jesus is at peace and passes this security on to his followers. I only understand parts of this.
John 14: 31b, Time to leave
"Come now; let us leave.
This chapter ends with this a short sentence, as if everyone is about to stand up and leave. Yet the intimate teachings continue for three more chapters. It is likely that they continue as they walk towards the Mount of Olives.
Monday, March 26, 2018
John 13: 31-38, Love One Another
Jesus is meeting with his disciples in an upstairs room for the Passover meal. Judas has just left to betray Jesus.
John 13:31-35, The second mark of a Christian
When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him.
32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus says that "now" is the Messiah glorified. Is "now" that night? Or the next day in the crucifixion?In context, it probably means the crucifixion and resurrection together.
NIV footnotes regarding verse 32: Many early manuscripts do not have "If God is glorified in him".
Jesus then explains, once again, that he is leaving them. As Jesus is planning his leave, he gives "a new command". This is the second "mark" of a Christian, that we love one another. This will be a central theme is the writings of the apostle John.
John 13:36-38, Peter's question
Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”
Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”
37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
Peter, of course, wants to know where Jesus is going. (Is he slipping away to the Gentiles?) Jesus merely says, "you can't follow at this time."
What is Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ second command? Peter is focused on staying close to Jesus as an obvious disciple, and is completely unprepared for what is about to happen. His bluster about dying for Jesus has it all backwards.
The chapter ends somewhat down or "dark". We have had some sober teachings from Jesus and a statement about betrayal. Chapters 14 to 17 continue with very important and intimate teachings, especially now that Judas has left.
When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him.
32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus says that "now" is the Messiah glorified. Is "now" that night? Or the next day in the crucifixion?In context, it probably means the crucifixion and resurrection together.
NIV footnotes regarding verse 32: Many early manuscripts do not have "If God is glorified in him".
Jesus then explains, once again, that he is leaving them. As Jesus is planning his leave, he gives "a new command". This is the second "mark" of a Christian, that we love one another. This will be a central theme is the writings of the apostle John.
John 13:36-38, Peter's question
Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”
Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”
37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
Peter, of course, wants to know where Jesus is going. (Is he slipping away to the Gentiles?) Jesus merely says, "you can't follow at this time."
What is Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ second command? Peter is focused on staying close to Jesus as an obvious disciple, and is completely unprepared for what is about to happen. His bluster about dying for Jesus has it all backwards.
The chapter ends somewhat down or "dark". We have had some sober teachings from Jesus and a statement about betrayal. Chapters 14 to 17 continue with very important and intimate teachings, especially now that Judas has left.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
John 13: 18-30, Night
Jesus has entered the upper room for the Passover Feast. There he washes the disciples' feet and explains that one will betray him.
John 13:18-30, A traitor in our midst
“I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’
19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.
20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
From the NIV footnotes: the phase translated "turned against me" is literally "lifted up his heel." This is a quotation from the Old Testament, from Psalm 41:9. One more indicator that Jesus is the Messiah (so he says) is that he has planned the upcoming events. He knows that he will be betrayed and knows that he will die.
John 13:21-30, A traitor in our midst
After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”
22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.
23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.
24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”
25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.
29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor.
Although Jesus knows the night's events, he is distressed. The disciple "whom Jesus loved" is presumably John, the author of this gospel. Peter presses John to pass on a question; John does and Jesus responds by dipping bread in a dish and giving it to Judas. Then Jesus has quiet instructions to Judas, misunderstood by the few who hear it.
John 13: 30, Judas leaves, into darkness
As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
There is poetry in John's writings. As soon as Judas leaves, there is darkness. We are approaching the darkest day, now called "Good Friday".
“I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’
19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.
20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
From the NIV footnotes: the phase translated "turned against me" is literally "lifted up his heel." This is a quotation from the Old Testament, from Psalm 41:9. One more indicator that Jesus is the Messiah (so he says) is that he has planned the upcoming events. He knows that he will be betrayed and knows that he will die.
After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”
22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.
23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.
24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”
25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.
29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor.
Although Jesus knows the night's events, he is distressed. The disciple "whom Jesus loved" is presumably John, the author of this gospel. Peter presses John to pass on a question; John does and Jesus responds by dipping bread in a dish and giving it to Judas. Then Jesus has quiet instructions to Judas, misunderstood by the few who hear it.
As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
There is poetry in John's writings. As soon as Judas leaves, there is darkness. We are approaching the darkest day, now called "Good Friday".
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