King James Version

What Does Matthew 26:24 Mean?

Matthew 26:24 in the King James Version says “The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

Matthew 26:24 · KJV


Context

22

And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

23

And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

24

The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

25

Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

26

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. blessed it: many Greek copies have gave thanks


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Son of man goeth as it is written of him (ὁ μὲν υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὑπάγει καθὼς γέγραπται περὶ αὐτοῦ, ho men hyios tou anthrōpou hypagei kathōs gegraptai peri autou)—Divine sovereignty and human responsibility coexist: Jesus's death fulfills Scripture (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Zechariah 13:7), yet Judas bears full moral culpability. Woe (οὐαί, ouai) pronounces covenant curse.

Good for that man if he had not been born—This terrifying statement reveals the eternal weight of betraying the Son of God. Judas's temporal gain (30 pieces of silver) cost him eternal loss. The hypothetical non-existence would be preferable to the conscious torment awaiting covenant betrayers (Hebrews 10:29).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus's statement reflects the Jewish theological tension between divine determinism and human free will. The Passover Haggadah itself rehearsed God's sovereign deliverance while calling for human response. First-century Judaism understood that God's foreknowledge didn't eliminate human responsibility—both truths stand.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can God's sovereign plan for Christ's death coexist with Judas's genuine moral guilt for betrayal?
  2. What does this 'woe' statement teach about the eternal consequences of rejecting Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
1 of 31
G3588

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

μὲν2 of 31
G3303

properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)

υἱὸς3 of 31

The Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ4 of 31
G3588

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

ἄνθρωπος5 of 31

he

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ὑπάγει6 of 31

goeth

G5217

to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively

καθὼς7 of 31

as

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

γέγραπται8 of 31

it is written

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

περὶ9 of 31

of

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

αὐτῷ10 of 31

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

οὐαὶ11 of 31

woe

G3759

woe

δὲ12 of 31

but

G1161

but, and, etc

τῷ13 of 31
G3588

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

ἄνθρωπος14 of 31

he

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐκεῖνος15 of 31

for that

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

δι'16 of 31

by

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

οὗ17 of 31

whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

18 of 31
G3588

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

υἱὸς19 of 31

The Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ20 of 31
G3588

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

ἄνθρωπος21 of 31

he

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

παραδίδοται·22 of 31

is betrayed

G3860

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

καλὸν23 of 31

good

G2570

properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished

ἦν24 of 31

! it had been

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

αὐτῷ25 of 31

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

εἰ26 of 31

if

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

οὐκ27 of 31

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐγεννήθη28 of 31

been born

G1080

to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate

29 of 31
G3588

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

ἄνθρωπος30 of 31

he

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐκεῖνος31 of 31

for that

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 26:24 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 Matthew 26:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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