The Last Night
Then they began to question among themselves which of them was going to do this. Luke 22:23 · Berean Standard Bible
The disciples are stunned and start asking each other who would possibly do such a thing. No one can figure out who the betrayer is.
The fact that no one could identify Judas shows how well he hid his intentions. He looked like everyone else at the table.
Luke captures the confusion and alarm rippling through the group after Jesus' revelation, showing how unexpected the betrayal was.
Put yourself at that table. Jesus just said one of your closest friends is going to betray Him. You'd look around in disbelief, wondering who it could possibly be. That's exactly what happened — no one saw it coming.
The disciples begin to synzētein (discuss/debate intensely) among themselves which of them could possibly be the one about to do this (to pratten touto). The questioning reveals their collective shock and self-doubt.
Their questioning of one another — rather than immediately identifying the traitor — suggests Judas had concealed his intentions effectively, and the disciples recognized their own capacity for failure.
Luke narrates the disciples' corporate response of confusion and mutual suspicion following Jesus' devastating announcement.
The table erupts in anxious whispers. Rather than pointing fingers at an obvious suspect, they look at each other and wonder: could it be me? Their inability to identify the traitor speaks both to Judas' convincing facade and to their honest self-awareness.
21Look! The hand of My betrayer is with Mine on the table.
22Indeed, the Son of Man will go as it has been determined, but woe to that man who betrays Him.”
23Then they began to question among themselves which of them was going to do this.
24A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
25So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors.
Read all of Luke 22 — The upper room, a betrayer's kiss, a servant's ear, and Peter's denial by firelight. The longest night in history begins.
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