[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.” As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.]
The event referred to as “The Last Supper,” took place shortly before Jesus Christ was arrested. There were many significant things that happened that evening. In a previous post I talked about Jesus washing their feet.
Another item of great significance which is often overlooked is Jesus giving Judas “the sop.”
A Traitor Among Them!
By the time of the meal, Judas had already arranged to betray Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver. It was a very dastardly act to say the least. But also by the time of the meal, Jesus already knew who the traitor was.
Mark 14:18-20:
And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
Matthew 26:25
Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
So at this point, Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray him and Judas knew that Jesus knew he was the traitor. And yet, Jesus gave Judas “the sop.” Understanding the biblical custom of giving someone, “the sop,” I don’t think I could have ever given it to Judas.
The Seating Arrangement
The two most honored seats at a meal were those to the right and left of the host or the master. That means that the disciple whom Jesus loved, who rested his head on Jesus’ bosom, an act of deep concern, love, and intimate friendship, was sitting in a position of honor at that meal.
Likewise, for Jesus to be able to give Judas the sop, he too was sitting very close to Jesus, possibly in the other honored position.
The Sop
The word “sop” simply means a small portion, a morsel, or a fragment. That is still common today whether in a serving bowl or on your plate, although we don’t really use the word “sop.” We use words like, “a little dab,” a little piece,” “a small bite,” etc. So, “sop” is just a word for a small piece of food.
In Bible times there would have been a common dish at the meal. Their bread was flat, thin and round. It was very common to dip a piece of bread into the common dish and wrap the bread around a small piece of food, a sop. Perhaps this was a forerunner of fajitas, I don’t know!
But when the host would dip his piece of bread into the dish, and then give the sop to someone, that was very, very significant. The host or master of the house would give the sop to the person to whom he wanted to show his greatest love and esteem.
He did that by dipping into the common dish and then placing the sop in the person’s mouth. In doing that, he would show to all those present, and to the person receiving the sop, the love and honor he had for him.
Incredible Love
Jesus knew that Judas was about to betray him. Yet, there he sat, quite possibly in a position of honor at the meal, and Jesus gave him the sop. By extending so much honor and love to Judas, Jesus gave him a chance to change his plans.
But God gives all us free will to choose. Even an act of love and honor directly and personally from the Lord Jesus Christ himself does not guarantee that someone will do what is right.
John 13:21 – 30
When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
I think that was a remarkable and extraordinary example of love by Jesus Christ? What do you think? Any comments?
Mike Verdicchio
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For other posts just click “The Eastern Eye” tab above.
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the eastern culture in which the Bible was written. The best I know of were written by by Bishop K. C. Pillai. I have had the pleasure of listening to recorded teaching by him.
He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced. But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window
Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)
Hi Mike!
God bless you in the name of Jesus Christ!
Yes, I think it was incredible love that Jesus Christ showed to Judas !
It teaches me a couple of things. One, that Jesus Christ had so renewed his mind to that of his Father, God, that he and God were one ( one in purpose) . Christ made his thoughts God’s thoughts and his heart God’s heart. Quite an example for me to keep growing as Jesus Christ did and studying The Word (bible) in order to renew my mind and walk as Christ walked in love.
The second thing it taught me or should I say reminded me of just how much God and His son Jesus Christ love me and would never leave me. Sometimes when things get pretty bad our “feelings” can play tricks on us and we can “feel” forsaken by God. But from that record no matter what the circumstances or what we have done, neither God nor Jesus Christ turn their backs on us and are always here to love us and forgive us and think of us with great honor. Absolutely amazing ! It shows me that God will never forsake me because of His great love for me; no matter how things may look to the contrary sometimes.
Carol
Hi Carol, and thanks for your comments.
Yes, the love of God is staggering to our minds at times, isn’t it? A great place to see that love is the parable in Luke 15, often referred to as, “The Prodigal Son,” but it should really be called, “The Forgiving Father.” Now that is unconditional love in action!
Have a great weekend,
Mike
Judas was also at the place with the disciples that were behind closed doors when Jesus visited the first time after he had risen, because in the gospel of John he says there were eleven of the twelve (and Thomas was absent until the second visit.)
When Judas said “Is it I?” and Jesus said “Thou Hast said” I think they were talking about someone else that “I” represented!
The author of the gospel of John may not have understood what was meant by “I”, but Jesus Christ doesn’t always tell everything to each of us for own good. I think Judas was obeying Jesus Christ and may have paid a price in being guilty of obedience. That’s my opinion at this time in my study of the gospels!
Merangue,
Thanks for leaving a comment with your thoughts. There are those (myself included) who understand from the Scriptures that Judas did not go out and immediately commit suicide after giving back the thirty pieces of silver. There are a number of clear verses that do show that he too saw the resurrected Christ.
However, I beg to differ about your comment that John may not have understood what what Judas said. The Bible teaches that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God,” and that “holy men of God spoke (wrote) as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” John wrote what God told him to write.
Judas had free will, and he chose to betray Christ.
God bless you,
Mike
I agree with meringue. Paul’s letter to Corinthians (15:1-7) informs us that judas saw the resurrected Jesus. Further the word translated by ‘betray’ is elsewhere translated by ” hand over or give up usually without resistance”. see Paul’s comments in Romans 8:32. So god gave his son up ( betrayed him if you wish). no judas never betrayed The Lord. To betray means to be disloyal by acting in the interest of an enemy. But judas act concurred with the will of God who was first to give Jesus up. That’s what all the disciples were meant to do. But they had no spiritual understanding and wanted Jesus to stay with them in this life for ever in which case there would have been no redemption for humankind. Recall that Jesus saw the devil at work when Peter attempted to dissuade him from going to the cross. Judas had understood that The Lord had to go. Jesus knew what judas was going to do and he had approved of it! That’s why he gives him the sop! He’s then only one that had the courage to let him go to the cross. Peter tries to resist by cutting the soldier’s ear but Jesus rectifies the situation as he must be ” handed over or given up to the Romans without resistance. He could have called on his father’s heavenly army but he chose not to. Judas was later vilified for his courage and I believe he eventually committed suicide as a result of rejection by northerners apostles who never understood. That’s what I believe happened.
Bishop Tamina,
Your opinion leaves many unanswered questions. A closer look at what the Scriptures say give much insight.
The word translated, “betrayed,” is actually used over 115 times in the New Testament, mostly translated, “deliver,” or, “betray.” It’s basic meaning is “to give into the hands of another,” or, “give over into one’s power or use.” A form of this word is also used in John 3:16: God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son… The context of each usage must be carefully considered.
The Gospel of John tells us that Judas was a thief, which speaks very highly of his spirituality. If he was doing God’s will, as you say, why did he agree to do it for money? He could have simply arranged for them to take Jesus without agreeing to be paid for it.
After he delivered Jesus to his enemies, he went to try and undo what he had done by returning the money. If he believed he was doing the will of God in delivering Jesus, why did he try to undo it? And, why did he tell them that what he had done was sin?
If he really was, as you say, the only one who got it right, why does Scripture not applaud and praise him for his actions?
Thanks for leaving a comment, but these and other unanswered questions indicate what you wrote is not based on an accurate understanding of the Scriptures.
Dear brother,
The accounts we have from mark, Matthew, Luke and John must be questionable since they seem to be inherently contradictory. You would help me if you explained why Mark, writing approximayely 10-15 years after Paul had already written his epistle, makes no mention of 30 silver coins in a story of such importance. Matthew takes it up a notch and by the time we get to Luke and John Judas is but devil incarnate.
Why does John contradict himself by telling us that after his resurrection, Jesus had appeared to his 11 apostles with the only absent Thomas.
Paul says the same thing in Cor 15:5.
In Matthew 19:28 Jesus promises 12 thrones to the 12 apostles who had followed ” thus far “. And Judas was one of them as the promise was being made.
How could Judas still be part of the apostle group even after the resurrection of our Lord after betraying him?
That’s what leads me to question what they have written about our brother Judas who was the only one from juda amongst the northerners!
Why all of the twisting and wresting of Scripture?
Judas was a liar, thief and a traitor. He was a liar, a thief and a
traitor before his final act of betraying Jesus. He was lying and
stealing from the bag, thus betraying his fellow disciples.
His final act was to carry out his dispicable, cowardly betrayal
backstabbing betrayal of Jesus, for thirty pieces of silver, the
price of blood!!
Wrestling? Twisting?
In answer to Tamina’s questions,
1. Mark didn’t write about the 30 silver coins or a great many other details, because they weren’t that important to the story. He was writing a short account so that a greater audience could learn who Jesus was. Incidentally, he did mention that Judas betrayed Jesus for money (Mark 14:10-11). This is why Matthew wrote a gospel using Mark as source material – to flesh the story out and give more detail.
2. I’m pretty sure John does not specify how many apostles Jesus appeared to, but even if he did say 11 without Thomas, that would be true. At the very beginning of Acts, Matthias is chosen to replace Judas because he meets the criteria “it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us” (Acts 1:21) So if Matthias was there when Jesus appeared (which he likely was given that above criteria) then saying Jesus appeared to 11 would be accurate from John’s perspective writing many years after Matthias had been chosen as Judas’ replacement. Paul in 1 Cor 15:5 would use the same reasoning as John here because he was writing to the church who had only ever known Matthias as one of the 12 since Judas was long gone before the gospel ever reached the gentiles.
3. Jesus promise of 12 thrones in Matt 19:28 is not to those who have followed “thus far.” He says, “you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Again, Matthias was following as well so it makes sense that Jesus had Matthias in mind as one who had followed Him and not Judas who proved that he was not a follower but rather a traitor in their midst.
4. You made the point that the gospel accounts must be questionable. That’s fine, but if that’s what you believe, where do you find any evidence that Judas was not a betrayer? If you can’t trust the gospels for what they say explicitly, why would you look to what isn’t said as evidence? It would be similar to reading the book of Mormon to determine what the angel Moroni really said when you don’t trust that Joseph Smith was being honest in his writing. It’s silly.
5. I don’t know if you meant to do this, but you seemed to suggest that the apostles were biased against Judas because he was from Judah rather than Israel. However, they wrote these accounts after they had already accepted gentiles into the church. It seems unbelievable that the disciples had such a hatred of Judah that they would lie to vilify Judas and simultaneously accept Samaritans and gentiles who are unclean.
Hmmmm….at the beginning of the blog post, you say “By the time of the meal, Judas had already arranged to betray Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver”; yet later, in a direct quote from the Scriptures,you stated “And after the sop Satan entered into him”. Well, which is it? Was Satan in him when he took the 30 pieces? Did Satan leave him and then re-enter after he took the sop from Jesus? Judas Iscariot was a good man and that is the reason he was chosen as the Treasurer. He, like many Christians then & now, believed that Jesus would lead an uprising against the Romans. He considered it an honour to “turn him in” to the Romans. There is one “little” thing that we often forget to remember…God, the potter, has the final say, even from the beginning…
Proverbs 16:4
The Creator has made everything to accommodate itself and contribute to its own end, and also for The Creator’s own purpose—even causing some to be wicked and fitted for their role on the day of calamity and evil.
Romans 9:21
Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same mass (lump) one vessel for beauty and distinction and honorable use, and another for menial or ignoble and dishonorable use?
How else could God’s plan be completed so beautifully, if you believe in the reason why Jesus had to die…I believe we spend too much time in focus on man’s sins, rather than God’s perfect planning.
God does not need for us to distort the plans and label people as good or evil…God is perfect love and sees everyone as good…God said so in the beginning…God looked at everything he made, and it was ALL good.Please keep in mind that God sees the end from the beginning, and it was still ALL good. Jesus confirmed by giving the new commandments…OF LOVE…Love yourself & love everyone unconditionally…It’s a very simple & pure message. The heart & mind of a child can comprehend it. God bless you brother.I am certain that one day you will awaken from your slumber.. I love you, David
David,
I think you missed the whole point of the article – the love Jesus extended to Judas, the man who betrayed him!
Jesus said the Scriptures are God speaking to us, and, he said that God’s Word is the Truth. Therefore your opinions about Judas not found in Scripture are pure speculation. Why not let all that God told us about Judas stand on it’s own instead of adding your ideas and conjectures about Roman uprisings and the like? You seem smart enough to simply look in the Bible every place Judas is mentioned, and put all that together to find out what God says.
Finally, the Bible does not teach, as you intimate, that everything is part of God’s plan. It does say Jesus always did the things that pleased the Father, but that was by his choice, so clearly seen by his prayer in the Garden before he was betrayed. If everything that happens is part of God’s plan, then you believe John the Baptist being murdered was God’s plan? Paul consenting to Stephen’s death was part of God’s plan? Herod executing James was part of God’s plan? You really believe that is all, as you said, “God’s perfect planning?”
God gave human beings free will and we make choices. If everything is part of “God’s perfect planning” then it doesn’t matter what we choose to do because it’s all part of His perfect plan anyway. On the other hand, the Bible, God’s Word, directs us to right thinking and right actions, because we are free to choose.
David, I forgive you for accusing me of, “slumber,” and, I suggest you stop elevating your ego far above the Word of God. I highly recommend getting your head into the Book.
You say “God gave human beings free will and we make choices”, but, if that is Biblical then it is contradictory. As I quoted from Scripture:
Romans 9:21
Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same mass (lump) one vessel for beauty and distinction and honorable use, and another for menial or ignoble and dishonorable use?
If God wanted to accomplish his plan of redemption through betrayal & crucifiction, then it is obvious that he would have made Judas Iscariot “a vessel for dishonorable use”. Whoever God chose to do this “so the prophecy of the old testament could be fulfilled”, that person (Judas) was not betraying Jesus by “his free will choice”. He was doing what the potter designed him to do.
How could God accomplish his plans if he had not chosen someone to betray Jesus?
You can’t have it both ways, brother. Either God has a “perfect plan” with the “perfect sacrifice”, or it was all dependent on the “free choices” of humans. Imagine how this would affect the outcome if humans’ choices did not line up with the plans of the Creator? It would all be just a collection of accidental occurrences based on random choices of humans. Doesn’t sounds like God is in charge if the outcome of his “plan of redemption” depends on what choices humans make.
There are many good reasons why God gave all humans a brain and a mind and a soul. God also lives inside us (in temples not made of human hands), and supplies answers to any questions we ask.
Judas was NOT a traitor. He was a hero! How else could Jesus be betrayed? Jesus himself said “No man can take my life…I lay it down and take it up”, so he did not need anyone to “betray” him. He could have gone to the Romans voluntarily. Plus, less we forget, it was the Scribes & Pharisees who pushed to have him crucified for “blasphemy” for saying “the father & I are One”.
God made us smart (in his image & likeness) for a reason: even the bible itself teaches us to test every spirit & question everything.
We just don’t “swallow” everything. Where did the ancients & men of the old testament get their wisdom and ability to “walk with the Lord”? Not by reading a book, but by speaking directly to God. He still speaks to us, but we have been trained to stick our heads in a book as a replacement for the living God who lives inside us. The book has become another idol. We believe that God spoke to men of old, but not to us. The children of Israel may have wandered for 40 years, but I am convinced that the “modern” children of God have been wandering for 4,000 years and they are still lost.
Jesus said we must be like children to enter the kingdom, so, like a child I continue to ask “why?”
I do love you brother. I have no “choice” in the matter. Jesus quite explicitly said “Love God, Love yourself, and love your neighbour as you love yourself”.
Blessings,
David
Perfect! To quote Elvis Presley, “My sentiments exactly!”
Blessings
Jim,
Thanks for leaving a comment.
God bless you
Judas is a type of Ego or carnality. The Judas betrays us but it has a purpose so Christ can die and resurrect in us.
Judas wasn’t literal. Christ in US. Satan=adversary or stumbling block. It’s our own carnality.
All allegory.
John, thanks for leaving a comment.
The record of Jesus giving Judas the sop really happened, it was not a parable; Judas was a literal person.
God bless you.
While in seminary I was told that dipping of the sop could also represent the mending of a relationship. Whereby two who are at odds with each other and one decides he wants to end the problems of their relationship will offer the other person a dip of sop. If they take it and return the offer to the person then their relationship can be restored. This is another way of apologizing. However, I have not found any information to confirm this. Does anyone have any knowledge of this form of apology. I’m very interest in hearing from anyone who could help.
Camille, thanks for leaving a comment. I’ve not heard of that.
You might be interested in my latest book which explains dozens of verses in light of Biblical culture.
Here’s a link for more information including getting a signed copy!
God bless you.
http://confidenceandjoy.com/what-does-it-mean/
God bless you