And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

MATTHEW 26:21KJV
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Matthew 26:21 (KJV)

What does Matthew 26:21 mean?

Matthew 26:21 describes Jesus telling his closest followers that one of them will turn against him. He says this while they are eating together, placing the threat within the group sharing his meal.

Jesus speaks to the twelve disciples, the followers gathered at the table with him. The shared meal makes his announcement especially striking: the person who will betray him is among those present.

The Greek behind Matthew 26:21

  • “Verily” — ἀμήν (amēn): The word means “truly” or “surely.” Jesus uses it to give special weight to what he is about to say.
  • “betray” — παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi): The word can mean “hand over” or “deliver up.” Here, it points toward Jesus being handed over to those seeking to arrest him.

Why Matthew 26:21 matters

  • The announcement leaves the disciples questioning themselves. In verse 22, each asks Jesus, “Lord, is it I?”
  • The betrayal leads to Jesus’ arrest. Later in the passage, Judas identifies Jesus to the crowd sent to seize him (verses 47–50).
  • Eating together and plotting against Jesus stand side by side in Matthew’s account. Earlier, Judas had agreed to hand Jesus over for money (verses 14–16).

Where else these words appear

“eat” Greek G2068 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
  • Mark 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
  • 1 Corinthians 8:7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

“betray” Greek G3860 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
  • Mark 14:10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
  • John 19:16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

“Verily” Greek G281 · used in 126 verses

  • Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
  • Mark 14:9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
  • Romans 15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.