George Hutcheson
21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Followeth the second step of this discovery of Judas, wherein he more distinctly clears his treachery, shewing that the lifting up of the heel, v. 18. was in effect a betraying of him, and in stead of that general, that they were not all clean, v. 10. nor had all of them an interest in that promise of happinesse, v. 18. he determines upon the number, that it was one of them who should betray him. The reason of this repeated and more particular discovery, may partly be gathered from the following purpose; that they did not understand, nor were affected as became with the former intimation, and therefore he repeats and presseth it, till they be rowzed up by it: and partly, it is expressed in this verse to be Christs trouble in spirit, while his thoughts are upon Judas treachery, a taste of his own sad sufferings following thereupon, is let out upon his soul; and withal, his sorrow and indignation at the odious and ingrate treason, and the sad judgements to follow upon it, (as it is deduced, Mat. 26.24.) did so take hold on him, that he must reveal it with serious testifications and asseverations. Whence learn, 1. Soul-pressures and troubles were no strangers to our blessed Lord, and he would have it well studied that he is acquainted with such conditions; Therefore is his trouble in spirit here again marked. 2. Saints ought not to think it strange, if after deliverance from soul-trouble, they be again plunged into it; but must see that case sanctified unto them in Christs person, who after that sad fit, chap. 12.27. is again troubled in spirit. 3. Treacherous hypocrites in the Church are a great trouble, and matter of much vexation to the godly, either through their grief at their carriage, or by reason of the troubles which they raise to others; for, upon Christs speaking of Judas treachery, he is troubled at it in both these respects, as hath been cleared, When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit. 4. Treacherous hypocrites, who are the instruments of Christ or his followers sufferings, are in an horrible and woful condition, both in respect of guilt, and the judgments abiding them; for, Christ could not think of Judas treachery and end, without trouble; and so will it be with all right discerners, whatever these hypocrites think of themselves. 5. Albeit soul-trouble be bitter, yet it is useful (especially in Ministers) to draw forth truth, with more clearnesse and edge, to others, for, herein Christ hath given a proof, the fruit of whose soul-trouble is, that he speaks out more distinctly what they understood not before, and brings it out solemnly, testifying it. 6. When Christ is about to exercise his people, and they will not be put to it by some means, he will still put them to it, till he rouze them up; for, they making no use of the former intimation, he inculcates it again, till it become an exercise to all of them. 7. Christ perfectly knowes all men, and particularly, these who are more near to him in relations and fellowship; for, he can give a distinct account that one of them is a traitour. 8. As great naughtinesse may be in these who are very eminent; so their eminency renders their guilt more odious and horrible; that one of you should betray me. 9. It is hard to beleeve, if not almost incredible, what naughtinesse there may be in eminent Professours and Ministers, which yet Christ knoweth well enough; therefore he must confirm it with, Verily, verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 10. Such as are really affected with the sin of treacherous hypocrites, will not bluntly speak of it, in discovering or reproving it, but will evidence much zeal and indignation: for, Jesus being troubled in spirit, testified, and gravely, and with much seriousnesse, intimates it. 11. In times wherein we may discern Satan to be employing eminent Professours in an ill turn, it concernes every one to be upon their guard: Therefore is this intimation yet more general, one of you, not determining who, that all might be set on edge to try and search, as afterward it followeth, and more fully in the other Evangelists. See Matth. 26.21, 22.
