And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

JOHN 13:27KJV
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John 13:27 (KJV)

What does John 13:27 mean?

John 13:27 describes the moment when Satan enters Judas, the disciple who is about to betray Jesus. Jesus then tells Judas to carry out quickly what he is doing, showing that Jesus is aware of what is unfolding.

The “sop” is a piece of bread dipped in food. Jesus has just given it to Judas. Jesus speaks directly to Judas, although the other disciples do not understand why he says these words.

The Greek behind John 13:27

  • “sop” — ψωμίον (psōmion): A small piece of food, here a morsel of bread. The word helps picture the piece Jesus gives Judas during the meal.
  • “doest” and “do” — ποιέω (poieō): To do or carry out. The same Greek verb stands behind both words, linking what Judas is already doing with Jesus’ instruction to act quickly.

Why John 13:27 matters

  • Jesus’ words are not understood by everyone at the table. John 13:28 says that none of the other disciples knew why Jesus spoke to Judas in that way.
  • The meal setting explains the disciples’ guesses. Because Judas kept the shared money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy supplies for the feast or give something to the poor (John 13:29).
  • John connects Judas’s departure with the time of day. After receiving the morsel, Judas goes out, and John says, “it was night” (John 13:30).

Where else these words appear

“sop” Greek G5596 · used in 3 verses

  • John 13:26 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 13:30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

“quickly” Greek G5032 · used in 5 verses

  • John 20:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
  • 1 Timothy 3:14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
  • Hebrews 13:19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

“Satan” Greek G4567 · used in 33 verses

  • Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
  • Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.