Jesus predicts his betrayal three times in theNew Testament, a narrative which is included in all fourCanonical Gospels.[1] This prediction takes place during theLast Supper inMatthew 26:24–25,Mark 14:18–21,Luke 22:21–23, andJohn 13:21–30.[1]
Before that, inJohn 6:70, Jesus warns his disciples that one among them is"a devil". In the next verse, the author affirms that Jesus is talking aboutJudas Iscariot.
In theGospel of John, the prediction is preceded by the assertion in13:17–18 thatJesus knew thatJudas Iscariot would betray him: "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled: He who eats my bread lifted up his heel against me."[2] The blessing inJohn 13:17 is thus not directed at the Iscariot.[2]
InMatthew 26:23–25, Jesus confirms the identity of the traitor:
"The Son of Man goes, even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born." Judas, who betrayed him, answered: "It isn't me, is it, Rabbi?" He said to him: "You said it."
Theattribution of the title Rabbi to Jesus by the Iscariot in this episode is unique to him, for one after another the other Apostles say "Surely it is not I, Lord", using the Lord (Kyrios) title.[3] The Iscariot again calls Jesus Rabbi inMatthew 26:49 when he betrays him to theSanhedrin in theKiss of Judas episode.[3]
Italian Renaissance artistLeonardo da Vinci'sThe Last Supper depicts the precise moment following Jesus's dinner prediction.[4] According to art historianHelen Gardner, this artwork is the most reproduced religious painting of all time.[5]