John 13:21-32
Dear RTB’ers,
Two items regarding the question of whether this meal in yesterday’s and today’s reading was the Last Supper or just another meal. I was wrong yesterday when I quoted verse 30, suggesting that “he immediately went out” referred to Jesus. Not true – that phrase relates to Judas, as does verse 31a, “When he had gone out…” However, verse 29a supports the “other meal” argument: Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast…” This phrase, “for the feast” could be John’s way of suggesting a later Passover meal, lending support for the “other feast” argument.
Judas’ betrayal… Troubling. For money? Or did Judas somehow imagine that he was doing a good thing, possibly “forcing” Jesus to reveal Himself as the Messiah, “forcing” Him to begin that reign that would overthrow the Romans? Judas’ later suicide suggests some miscalculation on his part. I don’t think it was just money.
Blessings!
See also:
Regarding “Buy what we need for the feast…” and whether this is some “other meal,” let’s not forget that the Feast of Unleavened Bread goes on for a week immediately following the Passover, and that the entire period is generally called the “Feast of the Passover.” Hence, I don’t think we can take the word “feast” here and construe it to mean only the initial Passover seder proper.
Good point, John. I’ll have to re-think my earlier comments.
Looking forward to seeing a bunch of you tomorrow!