John 13:27–30

In these verses, we have the consequents of this designation in Judas himself, occasioning a fourth step of this discovery, wherein Christ declares more of his mind to Judas himself concerning his treason. The summe of this purpose is to be conceived thus; Judas guilty conscience making him suspect all things, he could not but observe the whisperings betwixt Christ and John, and that Christ after that had given him a sop, which (it is like) drew John, who knew the scope of that sign, to eye him in an odd way. Therefore perceiving or fearing that he was discovered, he is so imbittered and vexed at it, that he gives himself wholly up to Satan, and resolves to prosecute his treason speedily and effectually. Upon which, (and possibly he was now on his feet to go out to the chief Priests) Christ lets him know that he knew his designe, and bids him do his worst, v. 27. which as the rest understood not, but some of them supposed that, as purse-master, he was sent out to provide somewhat against the solemnity of the next day, or ordained to give somewhat unto the poor, v. 28, 29. so he is more hardened thereby to go on in his wicked course, and accordingly goeth out to effectuate it, though it was dark night, verse 30.

From v. 27. Learn, 1. As Satan gets possession by degrees of wicked men; so it is hard when once he gets footing, to prevent a more full possession; for, Satan, who before trysted with him, by casting tentations into his heart, now gets full possession, and entred into him. 2 Traitours and hypocrites are so far from being reclaimed by the discovery of their naughtines, that they are rather more irritate thereby; for, upon his perceiving that Christ had discovered him to John, by giving the sop, Satan entred into him. 3. Christ in his holy providence and righteous judgement, may do to hypocrites that, whereupon they may take occasion to harden themselves unto perdition, and to forsake him, yet without all imputation to him; for upon this discovery he is set on edge by Satan against Christ, as if he had affronted him. 4. Satan gets ready entry in a man, nor can he long stand, when he is given over of God; for, Judas is given up by Christ to himself, to do quickly what he did, when Satan possessed him to do this mischief. 5. As Christ knows all the naughtinesse of traitors, so he is the permitter of the same, without any approbation of their sinne; for, That thou doest, do quickly, is not a command, but a declaration of his prescience and permission. 6. When Christ hath long struggled with corrupt men, to restraine and curb their naughtinesse; he may at last, let loose the reins to them, to do their worst, for, having a traitour so long restrained in his company, he at last gives him up to himself. See Psal. 81.11, 12. Prov. 14.14. 7. Christs willingness to suffer for his people, made all attempts against him to be nothing terrible; for, this permission imports also that he was willing to suffer, and therefore cared not how soon he would put him to it. And thus our willing resolutions would take off much of the terrour of our sufferings. 8. Christ needs never restrain any of his enemies, for any fear he hath of them; but can carry on his purpose, and triumph over their most violent oppositions; for, this upgiving is also a defying of Judas to do his worst, and when he had so done, yet Christ should redeem his people, and triumph over all the sufferings he brought him into by his treachery. 9. Men given over by God unto Satan, will be very wrestlesse to execute mischief, and may speed well at it, for a time; for, do quickly, is also a prediction of his activity and successe, as to the outward suffering.

From v. 28, 29. Learn, 1. It is no fault in sincere professours, to be charitable even of hypocrites, so long as they keep close; for, it flowed, in part, from their charity, that no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him, and some supposed some other thing. And it seems that John himself to whom he was particularly discovered, did not suspect he would presently go about his treason, and therefore understood not this discourse, though possibly he joyned not in the opinion some others had of him and it. And as for the rest, albeit it seemes they should have known his treachery from Christs answer to his question, Mat. 26.25. Yet it seems that Christ gave him that answer secretly, or he propounded that question but immediately before he went out. 2. Christ did so willingly suffer for his people, that by his own over-ruling hand he kept back all things that might hinder instruments to act therein; for, this ignorance also flowed from the hand of God, lest they should have hindred him, and so should have marred the work Christ came about. See Mat 16.20. and 26.52, 53, 54. 3. It is the will of Christ, that were mens portion but mean, yet they should not only provide for their own necessities thereby, and so live in an honest way; but they should also be beneficial to the poor and indigent, for this construction, which some of them put upon Christs words, teacheth, that it was his custome as at other times, so now, out of his small stock, to buy these things we have need of against the feast, (or the solemnity of the first day of unleavened bread, being the morrow after the passeover, Lev. 23.5, 6. Numb. 28.16, 17.) and to give something to the poor, and his practice in this is our rule.

From v. 30. Learn, 1. Checks given by Christ to enemies, which might reclaime them, do but irritate and render them worse; for, after all this, he having received the sop, went out. 2. Men given over by God, and possessed by Satan, are so impudent, that they will not only attempt highest wickednesse, even against Christ, but will commit it even in Christs presence, and when they know that he knoweth and seeth them; for, albeit Christ had intimate that he knew what he was doing, yet he went out to act it 3. Satan is violent in driving these acted by him, very hastily, and over all impediments, to commit mischief; for, having received the sop, he went immediately out, and that though it was night, as being too good for works of darknesse.