Devine Scripture

John 13:21

What does John 13:21 mean?

A plain-English look at John 13:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 13:21 means

After speaking these things, Jesus is “troubled in the spirit” and solemnly testifies, “one of you shall betray me.” His distress shows true humanity and the cost of being betrayed by a close companion. He is not stoic; love feels the wound. Yet He speaks with authority, not gossip, bringing hidden evil into the light. The phrase “one of you” personalizes the shock—it is not an outsider but a member of the inner circle. This announcement forces self-examination among the disciples and prepares for the controlled, deliberate disclosure that follows.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in the spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in the spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

When Jesus had said this he was troubled in spirit, and gave witness, saying, Truly I say to you, that one of you will be false to me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

These things having said, Jesus was troubled in the spirit, and did testify, and said, `Verily, verily, I say to you, that one of you will deliver me up;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

When Jesus had said these things, he was troubled in spirit; and he testified, and said: Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you shall betray me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Having said these things, Jesus was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, Verily, verily, I say to you, that one of you shall deliver me up.

Context

This verse shifts the mood from teaching to crisis. In verse 22 the disciples will look at one another, uncertain whom He means. In verses 23–25, the disciple whom Jesus loved, reclining close to Jesus, will ask on Peter’s prompting who the betrayer is. Then, in verse 26, Jesus will indicate Judas by giving him a dipped morsel. The narrative slows to highlight each movement.

v.20Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

v.21This passage

v.22The disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 13:18

    I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me.

  • John 11:38

    Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it.

  • John 11:35

    Jesus wept.

  • John 11:33

    When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

  • John 12:27

    Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour. But for this cause came I unto this hour.

  • Luke 22:21

    But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

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