“Master, is it I?”
The full verse · Matthew 26:25 · KJV
, , and , , ? He unto , hast .
Asked by
Judas Iscariot: one of the twelve, who had already agreed with the chief priests to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16)
Asked to
Jesus: the Son of God and promised Messiah, who had just said the betrayer was the one dipping with Him in the dish (Matthew 26:23)
The Scene
At the passover table, after Jesus says the betrayer is the one who dips with Him in the dish and pronounces woe on him, Judas speaks up (Matthew 26:23-25).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionJudas already knew the answer. Earlier he had gone to the chief priests and asked, "What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?" (Matthew 26:15), and Matthew introduces him here as "Judas, which betrayed him." Matthew Henry says, "He knew very well that it was he, and yet wished to appear a stranger to such a plot." Gill reports that some observe Judas said Rabbi, a more honorable title than the "Lord" the others used, as a way to cover, if he could, his wicked designs. By asking the same question as the eleven, even after Jesus' warning of woe (Matthew 26:24), Judas kept looking like one of them.
The Response
What Scripture records"He said unto him, Thou hast said" (Matthew 26:25). Barnes explains, "That is, thou hast said the truth. It is so. Thou art the man." Gill calls it "a way of speaking used, when what is asked is assented to as truth." Matthew records no reply from Judas. John says that after Jesus gave him the sop, Judas "went immediately out: and it was night" (John 13:30). Later that night he came with "a great multitude with swords and staves" and greeted Jesus with a kiss (Matthew 26:47-49).
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsThe KJV word "Master" here translates rhabbi. Thayer's lexicon gives its literal sense as "my great one, my honorable sir," a title Jews used for their teachers. The eleven said Kyrie, "Lord" (Matthew 26:22). Judas used rhabbi again when he kissed Jesus: "Hail, master" (Matthew 26:49).
Like the others, Judas began his question with meti, a word that expects the answer "no." Jesus' reply, "Thou hast said" (Greek Sy eipas, "you have said"), was a way of saying yes. Barnes compares Matthew 26:64, where Jesus gives the high priest the same answer, with Mark 14:62, where that answer reads plainly, "I am."
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyTwo things stand side by side in this exchange. The betrayal was foretold: "The Son of man goeth as it is written of him" (Matthew 26:24). Yet Judas chose it, for money (Matthew 26:15), and Jesus said, "woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed!" God's plan did not make Judas a puppet, and his choice did not overturn God's plan.
The contrast with the eleven is striking. They asked in sorrow and called Him Lord. Judas used nearly the same words with a hidden purpose. Jesus saw past the words to the heart and answered with the truth. Nothing in the upper room was hidden from Him.
Look Closer
What had Judas already done before he asked this question?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord Jesus, You answered Judas with the truth even when he hid behind the same words as the others; where do I need to stop hiding and let You show me what is true?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- Judas used the right words with a hidden purpose. What helps you keep your words to God honest and not merely correct?
- Jesus saw past the question to the heart. Why can it be good news, and not only sobering, that He sees you that clearly?
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
You can say the same words as everyone else and still keep Jesus at arm's length. Judas joined the eleven's question but not their sorrow. Jesus' answer shows that nothing is hidden from Him, and so there is no need to pretend with Him.
The text does not soften what Judas did: Jesus spoke woe over the betrayer (Matthew 26:24). This doesn't mean you should doubt every sincere prayer you pray. The eleven asked with trembling hearts, and Jesus did not accuse them. The difference was not their words but the secret Judas was keeping.
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“Lord, is it I?”
“Is it I? Is it I?”
“What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?”
“Friend, wherefore art thou come?”