John 13:26

to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it The text here is uncertain, but there is no doubt as to the meaning. Perhaps the better reading is, for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him. Copyists have possibly tried to correct the awkwardness of -for whom" and -to him." In any case -sop" or -morsel" must have the article. The Greek word is derived from -rub" or -break," and means -a piece broken off:" it is still the common word in Greece for -bread." To give such a morsel at a meal was an ordinary mark of goodwill, somewhat analogous to taking wine with a person in modern times. Christ, therefore, as a forlorn hope, gives the traitor one more mark of affection before dismissing him. It is the last such mark: -Friend, wherefore art thou come?" (Matthew 26:50) should rather be -Comrade, (do that) for which thou art come," and is a sorrowful rebuke rather than an affectionate greeting. Whether the morsel was a piece of the unleavened bread dipped in the broth of bitter herbs depends upon whether this supper is regarded as the Paschal meal or not.

And when, &c. The true reading is, Therefore, when He had dipped the morsel He taketh and giveth it. The name of Judas is once more given with solemn fulness as in John 6:71, Judas the son of Simon Iscariot. Comp. John 13:2.