John 13:30

He then having received the sop. — Comp. Note on John 13:27. The narrative is resumed from that point, John 13:28 being an explanatory note added by the writer. Returning to the record of what took place, he dwells again on the moment of receiving the sop as that in which the betrayer took the fatal step which could not be retraced.

And it was night. — These words doubtless state the physical fact that at the time when Judas left the room the darkness of night had already come on. He went out, and went out into the darkness of night. We cannot say that the writer meant them to express more than this, and yet we feel that there is in them a fulness of meaning that cannot have been unintentional. It was night; and he stepped forth from light into darkness; from the presence and guidance of the Light of the World, to be possessed by and guided by the prince of darkness. It was night; and St. John could hardly have written these words without remembering those he had written but a short time before: “If a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.” (See Note on John 11:10.) Comp., for the way in which St. John gives emphasis to a tragic fulness of meaning by expressing it in a short detached sentence, John 11:35; John 18:40.

[(2) THE LAST WORDS OF DEEPEST MEANING TO THE FAITHFUL FEW (John 13:31 to John 16:33).

(a)

His glory is at hand, because He is going to the Father; they are therefore to love one another (John 13:31);

(b)

In the Father’s house He will receive them to Himself. He is the Way, the Truth, the Life (John 14:1);

(c)

Being in the Father, He will be present in the disciples (John 13:11):

(α) By answering their prayers (John 13:12);

(β)

By sending to them the Paraclete (John 13:13);

(γ)

By abiding in them (John 13:18).

(d)

His legacy of peace to them (John 13:25).]