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I. A FEARFUL ANNOUNCEMENT. Christ had already more than once predicted that He would be betrayed; but now He adds to the intimation the terrible news that it would be by one of themselves. A little of the horror of thick darkness which His words spread over them still pervades our hearts. The fact is more than anything else, suggestive of all that is dark and pitiful in human nature. It shows —

1. How measureless may be the evil a man may reach by simply giving way to wrong.

2. No privileges, no light, no opportunity, can bless a man without his own cooperation.

3. Privileges, if unimproved, injure the soul.

4. Without self-surrender to God, every other religious quality and tendency is insufficient to save the soul. Judas only lacked this one thing.

5. As the existence of a pure soul is itself a proof and a prediction of heaven, so such a soul seems to prove and predict a hell.

II. CHRIST'S REASONS FOR MAKING THIS FEARFUL ANNOUNCEMENT.

1. Perhaps to cure the pride of the disciples. The announcement that one of them will betray will help to abate their vehemence in seeking to know "who shall be greatest."

2. To give Judas a glimpse of the perdition before him, and thus awake repentance.

3. To intimate to him that, though the Saviour might die by his craft, it was with His own knowledge and consent.

(R. Glover.)

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KJV: And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

WEB: As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, "Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me—he who eats with me."