Luke 22:21
What does Luke 22:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 22:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 22:21 means
Jesus exposes the hidden treachery: the hand of the one who betrays Him is with Him on the table. This heightens the tension and sorrow. Betrayal is not from a distant enemy but from a table companion. The disclosure is not to humiliate but to warn and fulfill Scripture—that even a close friend would lift his heel. It also shows Jesus’ full awareness and control; nothing surprises Him. The meal of covenant grace coexists with human sin; yet grace is not thwarted. The statement invites self-examination among the disciples and underscores the personal proximity of sin to sacred things. It sets the stage for the pronouncement of woe on the betrayer and the disciples’ troubled questioning.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But the hand of him who is false to me is with me at the table.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`But, lo, the hand of him delivering me up <FI>is<Fi> with me on the table,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But yet behold: the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Moreover, behold, the hand of him that delivers me up [is] with me on the table;
Context
Directly after instituting the bread and cup, Jesus reveals that a betrayer is present at the table itself. This disclosure shifts the room’s mood from solemn gratitude to alarm. The next verse will affirm God’s determined plan and pronounce woe on the betrayer. Then the disciples will question among themselves who could do such a thing, a confusion that ironically turns into a dispute about greatness, which Jesus must immediately correct.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 14:18
And as they sat and were eating, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you shall betray me, even he that eateth with me.
- 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.
- Matthew 26:21
and as they were eating, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
- John 13:21
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.
- John 13:26
Jesus therefore answereth, He it is, for whom I shall dip the sop, and give it him. So when he had dipped the sop, he taketh and giveth it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
- Psalms 41:9
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, Who did eat of my bread, Hath lifted up his heel against me.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 22
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 22.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Communion
Communion, often called the Lord's Supper, is a sacred practice remembering Jesus' sacrifice and looking forward to His return.
Topic
Bible Verses About Covenant
God’s covenant is a sacred agreement between Him and His people, demonstrating His unchanging faithfulness and redemptive plan for humanity.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Will of God
Understanding and following God's will is crucial for every believer seeking a life of purpose and divine fellowship
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Anxiety Before a Job Interview
Quiet your nerves and walk in with steady steps — six verses to pray on the way.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When Prayer Feels Empty
When the words won't come — scripture for the dry prayer life.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Forgotten by God
When the prayers feel one-sided — verses for the quiet seasons.