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 26:24KJV
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Matthew 26:24 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“woe” Greek G3759 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
  • Mark 13:17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
  • Luke 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

“had” Greek G1080 · used in 65 verses

  • Matthew 1:2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
  • Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
  • Acts 7:29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.

“goeth” Greek G5217 · used in 77 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.
  • Mark 7:29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.
  • John 11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

“good” Greek G2570 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  • Luke 3:9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  • 1 Timothy 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;