21 Jesus was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”

22 The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ breast. 24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.”

25 He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ breast, asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

26 Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him.

Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

28 Now no man at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 Therefore having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night.

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately."

36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?”

Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.”

37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times."

John 13:21-33, 36-38 - World English Bible

In John 13, Jesus celebrated the Passover in Jerusalem. Throughout this gospel, he would appear in the capital, then withdraw, so the leaders did not have the opportunity to arrest him. But, in this scene, he realized they were drawing closer and his betrayer would soon spring into action. The evangelist advanced this movement through asides (13:22-24).

In the first century AD, Jews ate in the Greek style, that is, laying in a circle, with food in the center, taking pieces of bread and dipping the pieces into shared bowls of sauces. Eating together and literally sharing food took on a symbolic significance. Like a family dinner, eating together not only strengthens family bonds because of the interaction between its members, the act of sharing food can define the group itself. The meal described who the group is and help describe its destiny. When the Lord dipped his bread in the bowl at the same time as the Iscariot, he indicated they shared a certain fate. Judas, in his shameful way, would act to fulfill the glory of Jesus, a destiny that would reveal the Father and his relationship with his Son (13:31-32). This was a glory Jesus would endure alone, despite the protestations of Peter.

What can you do today to prepare for the glory of Jesus on the cross?