Matthew 26:25: Judas and Jesus—A Reminder of Our Depravity

Here is a verse that provides and excellent example of how, oftentimes, our English bible translations simply fail to render the original Greek in the most accurate manner. Within Greek grammatical rules is a grammatical structure where if one of two Greek negatives, οὐ, is used in a question, then the questioner is expecting a "Yes" answer. Conversely, if the other of the two negatives, μή, is used, a "No" answer is expected. In the following verse under consideration, the New American Standard version gets it right, while the highly reputable English Standard version unexpectedly seems to miss it.

The setting is the last Passover Jesus will share with the twelve disciples. Among the twelve, of course, is Judas, who has already secured his booty of silver from the chief priests in exchange for his impending betrayal of Jesus (v. 15). This fact is key to understanding the importance of the Greek grammatical structure in verse 25!

Now, knowing what has occurred in earlier in verse 15, Matt. 26:25 is even more startling, when in answer to Jesus' all-knowing statement that one of his disciples would betray him, Judas emphatically asks Jesus, "It is not I, is it, Rabbi?" — μήτι ἐγώ εἰμι, ῥαββι;

According to Greek usage, Judas is expecting (at least in his mind and heart) a "No" answer from his omniscient Lord, in spite of the fact that he has already been paid for the yet uncommitted deed of betrayal. In spite of the fact that surely he should have known by then that Jesus, the very Son of God, would know what was in his heart. A reminder and warning to us all of our depravity, most clearly set forth by Jeremiah: "The heart is more deceitful than all else, and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?" (Jer. 17:9)

Go to: "It's All Greek to YOU!" (Wermuth's Greek Blog)