Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: John 13:22 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Joh 13:22	King James	Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake--Further intensely interesting particulars are given in the other Gospels: (1) "They were exceeding sorrowful" (Mat 26:22). (2) "They began to inquire among themselves which of them it was that should do this thing" (Luk 22:23). (3) "They began to say unto Him one by one, Is it I, and another, Is it I?" (Mar 14:19). Generous, simple hearts! They abhorred the thought, but, instead of putting it on others, each was only anxious to purge himself and know if he could be the wretch. Their putting it at once to Jesus Himself, as knowing doubtless who was to do it, was the best, as it certainly was the most spontaneous and artless evidence of their innocence. (4) Jesus, apparently while this questioning was going on, added, "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" (Mat 26:24). (5) "Judas," last of all, "answered and said, Lord, is it I?" evidently feeling that when all were saying this, if he held his peace, that of itself would draw suspicion upon him. To prevent this the question is wrung out of him, but perhaps, amidst the stir and excitement at the table, in a half-suppressed tone as we are inclined to think the answer also was--"Thou hast said" (Mat 26:25), or possibly by little more than a sign; for from Joh 13:28 it is evident that till the moment when he went out, he was not openly discovered.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake--Further intensely interesting particulars are given in the other Gospels: (1) "They were exceeding sorrowful" (Mat 26:22). (2) "They began to inquire among themselves which of them it was that should do this thing" (Luk 22:23). (3) "They began to say unto Him one by one, Is it I, and another, Is it I?" (Mar 14:19). Generous, simple hearts! They abhorred the thought, but, instead of putting it on others, each was only anxious to purge himself and know if he could be the wretch. Their putting it at once to Jesus Himself, as knowing doubtless who was to do it, was the best, as it certainly was the most spontaneous and artless evidence of their innocence. (4) Jesus, apparently while this questioning was going on, added, "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" (Mat 26:24). (5) "Judas," last of all, "answered and said, Lord, is it I?" evidently feeling that when all were saying this, if he held his peace, that of itself would draw suspicion upon him. To prevent this the question is wrung out of him, but perhaps, amidst the stir and excitement at the table, in a half-suppressed tone as we are inclined to think the answer also was--"Thou hast said" (Mat 26:25), or possibly by little more than a sign; for from Joh 13:28 it is evident that till the moment when he went out, he was not openly discovered.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Doubting of whom ... - The word translated "doubting" denotes that kind of anxiety which a man feels when he is in perplexity, and knows not what to say or do. We should say they were at a loss. See the notes at Mat 26:22.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Looked (ἔβλεπον) The imperfect tense, kept looking as they doubted. Doubting (ἀπορούμενοι) See on Mar 6:20. He spake (λέγει) The present tense, speaketh, introduced with lively effect.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Looked one on another doubting of whom he spake - See the notes on Mat 26:20-25 (note). Every one but Judas, conscious of his own innocence, looked about upon all the rest, wondering who in that company could be such a traitor! Even Judas himself is not suspected. Is not this a proof that his general conduct had been such as to subject him to no suspicion?

Top

²⁸ Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.

²⁵ Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

²⁴ 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.

¹⁹ And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?

²³ And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

²² And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

²⁰ For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

²⁰ Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
²¹ And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
²² And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
²³ And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
²⁴ 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.
²⁵ Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.