The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
MATTHEW 26:24KJVWhat does Matthew 26:24 mean?
Matthew 26:24 describes Jesus saying that he, the "Son of man," will go to his death just as the Scriptures predicted, but warns that it will be terrible for the person who betrays him—so much so that it would have been better for that person never to have been born. Jesus is making clear both the certainty of his fate and the seriousness of the betrayer's actions.
In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples during the Last Supper, just before his arrest. He refers to himself as the "Son of man," a title often used for the Messiah. Jesus acknowledges that his coming suffering is part of God's plan ("as it is written"), but he also singles out the betrayer—Judas Iscariot—emphasizing the grave consequences of that betrayal.
The Greek behind Matthew 26:24
- "Son of man" (υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, huios tou anthrōpou): This phrase is a way Jesus often refers to himself, highlighting both his humanity and his role as the expected figure in Jewish prophecy.
- "Woe" (οὐαί, ouai): This word expresses deep sorrow or warning, showing the seriousness of what will happen to the betrayer.
- "Betrayed" (παραδίδωμι, paradidōmi): This Greek word means to hand over or deliver up, pointing to the act of Judas turning Jesus over to the authorities.
Why Matthew 26:24 matters
- Matthew 26:24 clarifies that Jesus' death is not an accident but fulfills what was written in Scripture, showing God's plan at work even in suffering.
- The verse highlights personal responsibility; even though Jesus' death is foretold, the betrayer is still fully accountable for his choice.
- This statement sets the emotional tone for the events that follow, showing the weight of betrayal and the depth of Jesus' awareness of what is about to happen.