21 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;' 22 the disciples were looking, therefore, one at another, doubting concerning whom he speaketh. 23 And there was one of his disciples reclining (at meat) in the bosom of Jesus, whom Jesus was loving; 24 Simon Peter, then, doth beckon to this one, to inquire who he may be concerning whom he speaketh, 25 and that one having leant back on the breast of Jesus, respondeth to him, 'Sir, who is it?' 26 Jesus answereth, 'That one it is to whom I, having dipped the morsel, shall give it;' and having dipped the morsel, he giveth 'it' to Judas of Simon, Iscariot. 27 And after the morsel, then the Adversary entered into that one, Jesus, therefore, saith to him, 'What thou dost—do quickly;' 28 and none of those reclining at meat knew for what intent he said this to him, 29 for certain were thinking, since Judas had the bag, that Jesus saith to him, 'Buy what we have need of for the feast;' or that he may give something to the poor; 30 having received, therefore, the morsel, that one immediately went forth, and it was night.
31 When, therefore, he went forth, Jesus saith, 'Now was the Son of Man glorified, and God was glorified in him; 32 if God was glorified in him, God also will glorify him in Himself; yea, immediately He will glorify him. 33 'Little children, yet a little am I with you; ye will seek me, and, according as I said to the Jews—Whither I go away, ye are not able to come, to you also I do say 'it' now. 34 'A new commandment I give to you, that ye love one another; according as I did love you, that ye also love one another; 35 in this shall all know that ye are my disciples, if ye may have love one to another.'
36 Simon Peter saith to him, 'Sir, whither dost thou go away?' Jesus answered him, 'Whither I go away, thou art not able now to follow me, but afterward thou shalt follow me.' 37 Peter saith to him, 'Sir, wherefore am I not able to follow thee now? my life for thee I will lay down;' 38 Jesus answered him, 'Thy life for me thou wilt lay down! verily, verily, I say to thee, a cock will not crow till thou mayest deny me thrice.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 13:21-38
Commentary on John 13:18-30
(Read John 13:18-30)
Our Lord had often spoken of his own sufferings and death, without such trouble of spirit as he now discovered when he spake of Judas. The sins of Christians are the grief of Christ. We are not to confine our attention to Judas. The prophecy of his treachery may apply to all who partake of God's mercies, and meet them with ingratitude. See the infidel, who only looks at the Scriptures with a desire to do away their authority and destroy their influence; the hypocrite, who professes to believe the Scriptures, but will not govern himself by them; and the apostate, who turns aside from Christ for a thing of naught. Thus mankind, supported by God's providence, after eating bread with Him, lift up the heel against Him! Judas went out as one weary of Jesus and his apostles. Those whose deeds are evil, love darkness rather than light.
Commentary on John 13:31-35
(Read John 13:31-35)
Christ had been glorified in many miracles he wrought, yet he speaks of his being glorified now in his sufferings, as if that were more than all his other glories in his humbled state. Satisfaction was thereby made for the wrong done to God by the sin of man. We cannot now follow our Lord to his heavenly happiness, but if we truly believe in him, we shall follow him hereafter; meanwhile we must wait his time, and do his work. Before Christ left the disciples, he would give them a new commandment. They were to love each other for Christ's sake, and according to his example, seeking what might benefit others, and promoting the cause of the gospel, as one body, animated by one soul. But this commandment still appears new to many professors. Men in general notice any of Christ's words rather than these. By this it appears, that if the followers of Christ do not show love one to another, they give cause to suspect their sincerity.
Commentary on John 13:36-38
(Read John 13:36-38)
What Christ had said concerning brotherly love, Peter overlooked, but spoke of that about which Christ kept them ignorant. It is common to be more eager to know about secret things, which belong to God only, than about things revealed, which belong to us and our children; to be more desirous to have our curiosity gratified, than our consciences directed; to know what is done in heaven, than what we may do to get thither. How soon discourse as to what is plain and edifying is dropped, while a doubtful dispute runs on into endless strife of words! We are apt to take it amiss to be told we cannot do this and the other, whereas, without Christ we can do nothing. Christ knows us better than we know ourselves, and has many ways of discovering those to themselves, whom he loves, and he will hide pride from them. May we endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, to love one another with a pure heart fervently, and to walk humbly with our God.