The Bread of Life
He was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For although Judas was one of the Twelve, he was later to betray Jesus. John 6:71 · Berean Standard Bible
The writer reveals that Jesus was talking about Judas. Even though Judas was one of the Twelve, he would later betray Jesus. The tragedy was already set in motion.
This is the first clear hint of what Judas will do. From the outside, he looked like every other disciple. But inside, something was deeply wrong.
The Gospel writer explains who Jesus was referring to, giving you information the other disciples did not have at the time.
Judas sat at the same table, heard the same teachings, and saw the same miracles. And yet he would hand Jesus over to be killed. It is a sobering reminder that proximity to Jesus is not the same as surrender to Him.
The narrator identifies the diabolos as Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, noting that although he was one of the Twelve (heis ek tōn dōdeka), he was destined (emellen) to betray (paradidonai) Jesus.
The use of mellō (was about to/was destined to) combined with the continuous present paradidonai creates a sense of prophetic inevitability, while Judas' identification as one of the Twelve heightens the tragedy of insider betrayal.
The narrator provides an editorial explanation identifying Judas and foreshadowing the betrayal to come.
John pulls back the curtain for the reader. The devil among the disciples is Judas. Despite being chosen, taught, and trusted as one of the Twelve, he will become the instrument of the greatest betrayal in history.
69We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.”
70Jesus answered them, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”
71He was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For although Judas was one of the Twelve, he was later to betray Jesus.
Read all of John 6 — Jesus feeds five thousand, walks on water, and then makes a claim so shocking that many of his followers abandon him on the spot.
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