er would be betrayed by the inner
circle of His friends! But there seemed no reason for challenging His
announcement, backed as it was by a quotation from a familiar Psalm,
"He that dippeth his hand with Me in the dish, the same shall betray
Me." From these words also it was evident that the traitor must be one
of two or three; for only these could reach the common dish in which
Jesus dipped His food.

It became, therefore, more and more clear to Judas, that the Master
knew perfectly well all that had transpired, and he said to himself,
"If He knows so much, it is almost certain that He knows all."
Therefore, partly to disarm any suspicions that might be suggested to
the others if he did not take up their question, partly because he felt
that probably there was nothing to be gained by maintaining his
disguise before Jesus, and being withal feverishly anxious to know how
much of his plan was discovered, he asked, adopting the colder title
Rabbi, rather than that of Lord, as employed by the others, "Rabbi, is
it I?" Probably the question was asked under his breath, and that
Jesus replied in the same tone, "Thou hast said."

Immediately the thoughts of Judas sprang back to the foot-washing, and
all the other marks of extraordinary tenderness with which Jesus had
treated him. At the time he had thought, "He would not act like this
if He knew all." Now, however, he realized that Jesus had acted in the
full knowledge of all that had passed, and was passing in his heart.
It must have struck him as extraordinary that the Master should
continue to treat him thus when He had read the whole dark secret. Why
did He not unmask and expose him? Why not banish him from His company?
Why count him still on speaking terms? Not till afterward was he aware
of Jesus' motive, nor did he detect the loving purpose which was laying
siege to his stony heart as though to turn him from his evil purpose
before it was too late.

Once more the Lord made an effort to prove to him that though He knew
all He loved him still, even to the end. It was the Jewish custom for
one to dip a morsel in the common dish and pass it to another in token
of special affection, so when He had dipped the sop, Jesus took and
gave it to Judas, the son of Simon. He had previously answered John's
whispered question, "Lord, who is it?" which had been suggested by a
sign from Peter, by saying, "He it is to whom I shall give a sop when I
have dipped it." But He did