King James Version

What Does John 13:2 Mean?

John 13:2 in the King James Version says “And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;” — study this verse from John chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;”

John 13:2 · KJV

Context

1

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

2

And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;

3

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

4

He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And supper being ended (καὶ δείπνου γινομένου)—More literally "supper being in progress" or "while supper was happening." This is the Passover meal (or the meal immediately preceding it, depending on Synoptic/Johannine chronology). The context is intimate fellowship before betrayal.

The devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot (τοῦ διαβόλου ἤδη βεβληκότος εἰς τὴν καρδίαν)—The perfect tense "having put" (βεβληκότος/beblēkotos) indicates Satan had already planted the intention to betray. Luke 22:3 says "Satan entered into Judas," showing satanic agency behind the betrayal. Yet Judas remained morally responsible—Satan exploited Judas's greed and disillusionment but didn't override his will.

To betray him (ἵνα παραδῷ αὐτόν)—The verb paradidōmi (παραδῷ) means to hand over, deliver up, betray. It's used of Judas's betrayal, the Father's giving the Son (Romans 8:32), and Jesus's willing self-surrender (Galatians 2:20). Judas's evil act became part of God's sovereign plan—divine sovereignty and human responsibility mysteriously intertwined.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judas had been stealing from the disciples' money bag (John 12:6) and objected to Mary's "wasteful" anointing of Jesus (John 12:4-5). His disillusionment may have stemmed from Jesus's refusal to establish an earthly kingdom. Satan exploited these sinful attitudes. Church history debates Judas's motives—greed, political disappointment, or satanic possession—but Scripture emphasizes both satanic influence and Judas's moral culpability. Acts 1:25 says Judas "fell away" to his "own place," implying genuine apostasy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Satan exploit human weakness and sinful desires to accomplish his purposes, and how can we guard against this?
  2. What does Judas's betrayal teach about the danger of unrepentant sin and hardened hearts even in proximity to Jesus?
  3. How do we reconcile God's sovereign plan (the cross was predetermined, Acts 2:23) with Judas's genuine guilt and moral responsibility?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
καὶ1 of 16

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

δείπνου2 of 16

“supper”

G1173

dinner, i.e., the chief meal (usually in the evening)

γενομένου,3 of 16

“being ended”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

τοῦ4 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

διαβόλου5 of 16

“the devil”

G1228

a traducer; specially, satan (compare h7854)

ἤδη6 of 16

“having now”

G2235

even now

βεβληκότος7 of 16

“put”

G906

to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)

εἰς8 of 16

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν9 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίαν10 of 16

“the heart”

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

Ἰούδα11 of 16

“of Judas”

G2455

judas (i.e., jehudah), the name of ten israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region

Σίμωνος12 of 16

“Simon's”

G4613

simon (i.e., shimon), the name of nine israelites

Ἰσκαριώτου13 of 16

“Iscariot”

G2469

inhabitant of kerioth; iscariotes (i.e., keriothite), an epithet of judas the traitor

ἵνα14 of 16

“son to”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

αὐτὸν15 of 16

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

παραδῷ,16 of 16

“betray”

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 13:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 13:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 1:13-17Acts 5:3Nehemiah 2:12John 6:70-712 Corinthians 8:16Revelation 17:17

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