Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 13:22
Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
22. looked one on another ] ‘Began to enquire among themselves’ (Luk 22:23). The other two Evangelists say that all began to say to Him ‘Is it I?’ They neither doubt the statement, nor ask ‘Is it he? ’ Each thinks it is as credible of himself as of any of the others. Judas asks, either to dissemble, or to see whether he really was known (Mat 26:25).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Doubting of whom … – The word translated doubting denotes that kind of anxiety which a man feels when he is in perplexity, and knows not what to say or do. We should say they were at a loss. See the notes at Mat 26:22.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 22. Looked one on another doubting of whom he spake.] See the notes on Mt 26:20-25. Every one but Judas, conscious of his own innocence, looked about upon all the rest, wondering who in that company could be such a traitor! Even Judas himself is not suspected. Is not this a proof that his general conduct had been such as to subject him to no suspicion?
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
It seemeth they had no suspicion of Judas, but our Saviour telling them that it was one of them, they begin to look about one upon another, rather suspecting themselves than Judas. There may be a great deal of villany, and the greatest villany, in the hearts of professors, in whose conversation appeareth nothing that may give a just suspicion to others; and the true disciples of Christ will have so much candour anti brotherly love, that they will not rashly judge and censure their brethren.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
22. the disciples looked one onanother, doubting of whom he spakeFurther intenselyinteresting particulars are given in the other Gospels: (1) “Theywere exceeding sorrowful” (Mt26:22). (2) “They began to inquire among themselves which ofthem it was that should do this thing” (Lu22:23). (3) “They began to say unto Him one by one, Is it I,and another, Is it I?” (Mr14:19). Generous, simple hearts! They abhorred the thought, but,instead of putting it on others, each was only anxious to purgehimself and know if he could be the wretch. Theirputting it at once to Jesus Himself, as knowing doubtless who was todo it, was the best, as it certainly was the most spontaneous andartless evidence of their innocence. (4) Jesus, apparently while thisquestioning was going on, added, “The Son of man goeth as it iswritten of Him, but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man isbetrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born”(Mt 26:24). (5) “Judas,”last of all, “answered and said, Lord, is it I?“evidently feeling that when all were saying this, if he held hispeace, that of itself would draw suspicion upon him. To prevent thisthe question is wrung out of him, but perhaps, amidst the stir andexcitement at the table, in a half-suppressed tone as we are inclinedto think the answer also was”Thou hast said” (Mt26:25), or possibly by little more than a sign; for from Joh13:28 it is evident that till the moment when he went out, he wasnot openly discovered.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then the disciples looked one to another,…. As persons surprised and astonished, and as scarce crediting what was said; not having had the least suspicion of anyone among them, that could be guilty of such an action; and expressing by their looks their detestation of, and indignation at so horrible an iniquity; or they looked one to another, to observe if they could, whether the countenance of anyone would discover who the person was:
doubting of whom he spake; not being able to conceive and imagine, who the person was he had in view; from whence it appears, that Judas, to this time, had behaved outwardly as well as any of the other disciples; he had given no occasion, by his conduct, to suspect him more than any other: upon this broad intimation, or rather strong protestation which Christ made, that one of them should betray him, their eyes were not turned to him directly and particularly, but to one another.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Looked one on another ( ). Inchoative imperfect of , “began to glance at one another in bewilderment (doubting, , present passive participle of , to be at a loss, to lose one’s way, privative and , way). They recalled their strife about precedence and Judas betrayed nothing.
Concerning whom he spake ( ). Indirect question retaining present active indicative . See same note in Mark 14:19; Matt 26:22; Luke 22:23.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Looked [] . The imperfect tense, kept looking as they doubted.
Doubting [] . See on Mr 6:20.
He spake [] . The present tense, speaketh, introduced with lively effect.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Then the disciples looked one on another,” (eblepon eis allelous hoi mathetai) “The disciples looked at one another,” with questioning, inquiring glances and penetrating gazes, in bewilderment, not yet suspecting with any certainty that it was Judas.
2) “Doubting of whom he spake. (aporounenoi peri tinos legei) “Being perplexed, pondering about, or concerning who he was speaking,” doubting, uncertain, not knowing of whom He spoke in alluding to the Scripture, Psa 41:9. Judas was at no real loss to know of whom He spoke.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
22. The disciples, therefore, looked on one another. They who are not conscious of any crime are rendered uneasy by what Christ has said: Judas alone is so stupid amidst his malice, that he remains unmoved. The authority of Christ was held in so great estimation by the disciples, that they were fully convinced that he said nothing without a good reason; but Satan had expelled from the heart of Judas all reverence, so that it was harder than a rock to reject every admonition. And though Christ appears to be somewhat unkind in inflicting this torture, for a time, on those who were innocent, yet as anxiety of this kind was profitable to them, Christ did them no injury. It is proper that, when the children of God have heard the sentence of the ungodly, they should themselves feel uneasiness, that they may sift themselves, and guard against hypocrisy; for this gives them an opportunity of examining themselves and their life.
This passage shows that we ought sometimes to reprove the ungodly in such a manner as not instantly to point the finger to them, until God, by his own hand, drag them forth to the light. For it frequently happens that there are secret diseases in the Church, which we are not at liberty to disguise; and yet the wickedness of men is not so ripe as to be capable of being laid open. In such cases we ought to take this middle path.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(22) Then the disciples looked one on another.Comp. Mat. 26:22 et seq., and the parallel in Mar. 14:19 and Luk. 22:23. St. Matthew and St. Mark both state that they expressed their doubt in words, and St. Lukes narrative implies this questioning, but as addressed to one another, not to our Lord (And they began to inquire among themselves). St. John remembers the look of astonishment, and the way in which each tried to read the countenance of his brother as they all heard the words, which asserted that there was a traitor in their midst. He was nearest to our Lord, and knew what others may not have known, how Peter beckoned to him, and how he put the question to our Lord. This is the moment which has been caught in Leonardo da Vincis famous masterpiece in the refectory of the Dominican Fathers at Milan. The painting itself has almost passed away, but perhaps no work of art is so widely known. The three Apostles mentioned in the text are all on the right of our Lord. John is nearest to Him, and leaning towards Peter, who stretches behind Judas to speak to the disciple whom Jesus loved. Judas, clutching the bag and upsetting the salt, declaring in every feature of that wondrous face, which cost Da Vinci a whole years study in the lowest quarter of the city, that he is the traitor, is on the right hand of John, and between him and Peter. This verse can have no better comment than a study of this great picture, accompanied by the chapter in Lanzis Storia Pittorica or Mrs. Jamesons Sacred and Legendary Art, would provide, and Englishmen have a noble copy of it in their own National Gallery. (See the Sacred and Legendary Art, Ed. 3, 1857, vol. i., p. 209.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
Ver. 22. Looked one upon another doubting, &c. ] Our Saviour sifted them; and hereby put them upon the duty of self-examination; ever seasonable, but especially before the sacrament, as here, Let a man examine himself (and do it exactly, as the word signifies, , 2Co 11:28 ), though the heart hang off never so much. Men are as loth to review their actions and read the blurred writing of their hearts, as schoolboys are to parse their lessons and false Latins they have made. But this must be done, or they are undone for ever. And sparing a little pains at first, doubles it in the end; as he who will not cast up his books, his books will cast him up at length.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
22. ] In Matt. and Mark they express their questioning in words . St. Luke’s would appear to imply the same. We seem called on here to decide a much-controverted question, where in John’s narrative the institution of the Lord’s supper is to be inserted? I believe certainly before this announcement, as in Luke: and if before it, perhaps before the washing of the disciples’ feet: for I see no break which would admit it between our Joh 13:1 and Joh 13:21 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 13:22 . The disciples had no idea who was meant. , Judas could scarcely be “at a loss to know of whom He spoke”.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
looked. Greek. blepo. App-133.
on = towards. Greek. eis. App-104.
splice = is speaking.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
22.] In Matt. and Mark they express their questioning in words. St. Lukes would appear to imply the same. We seem called on here to decide a much-controverted question,-where in Johns narrative the institution of the Lords supper is to be inserted? I believe certainly before this announcement, as in Luke: and if before it, perhaps before the washing of the disciples feet: for I see no break which would admit it between our Joh 13:1 and Joh 13:21.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 13:22
Joh 13:22
The disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.-The disciples, save Judas did not know to whom he referred. So wondering and inquiring glances were exchanged in doubt as to whom he referred. There seems to have been nothing in the conduct of Judas heretofore that directs suspicion or attention to him as the person to whom reference was made, notwithstanding it had been said that he was a thief in carrying the bag.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
looked: Gen 42:1, Mat 26:22, Mar 14:19, Luk 22:23
Reciprocal: Gen 37:3 – loved
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2
When Jesus announced in general terms that one of them was going to betray him, they each gave an inquiring look at the others. There was only one man among them who knew whom Jesus meant, and that was Judas the traitor.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 13:22. The disciples looked one on another, in perplexity of whom he spake. From the parallel passages of the earlier Gospels (Mat 26:22, etc.; Mar 14:19; Luk 22:23) we learn that they expressed their perplexity to one another in words. To John, hastening always to the main figure of the scene, it is enough to speak of their looks.