Below is a chapter from the book,
What Does it Mean?

Chapter 42  Jesus Gave Judas the Sop

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. John 13:26

The event referred to as “The Last Supper” took place shortly before Jesus was arrested.  There were many significant things that happened that evening.  One of those was Jesus giving Judas the sop.

By the time of the meal, Judas had already arranged to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.  It was a dastardly act to say the least, and according to the record in Mark 14, Jesus already knew who his traitor was by this last meal. Jesus not only knew Judas was going to betray him, but according to Matthew 26, Judas also knew that Jesus knew.  Yet, Jesus gave Judas the sop.  What is the significance of the sop?

The two most honored seats at a meal were those to the right and left of the host or the master.  That means the disciple whom Jesus loved, who rested his head on Jesus’ bosom (an act of deep concern, love, and intimate friendship) was sitting at one of the positions of honor at this meal.  Likewise, for Jesus to be able to give Judas the sop, Judas would have also had to be near Jesus, quite possibly in the other honored position.

The word “sop” simply means a small portion; “a little bit, a morsel.”^[1] In our western culture today, we do not use the word “sop.”  We use phrases like, a dab, a little piece, or a small bite.  Sop is just a word for a small piece of food.

In biblical times, it would have been customary to have a common dish on the table that everyone shared.  The flat, thin bread they ate was often used to dip into the common dish and wrap it around a small piece of food, a sop. 

The host or master of the house gave 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.  This showed to all those present, and especially to the person receiving the sop, the love and honor he had for him.

Picturing this scene gives me chills.  Jesus knew Judas was about to betray him.  Judas knew Jesus knew.  Yet, Jesus gave him the sop.  By extending so much honor and love to Judas, Jesus gave him a chance to change his plans. The incredible and unconditional love Jesus demonstrated here is truly amazing.

God gives everyone free will to choose their own paths.  For Judas, however, even an act of love and honor directly from the Lord Jesus Christ himself did not guarantee he would do the right thing — how sad for Judas.

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.

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.
_________________________

 ^[1]  E.W. Bullinger, A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament (Zondervan Printing 1975), 718

The book, What Does It Mean? is available on Amazon:
From Amazon – Click Here For Paperback!
From Amazon – Click Here For Kindle!