AMtophel. Tlie nintli verse here quoted says, "Mine own familiar friend, wliicli did eat of my bread, hatli lifted up his heel against me." The expression implies the act of one who like a stubborn and vicious horse, suddenly turns round against his master and kicks at him. " This," our Lord says, " is about to be fulfilled in the conduct of Judas Iscariot to Me."
It cannot of course be said that this quotation is positive proof that Judas ate the Lord's Supper. But it certainly rath- er increases the probability of it. The words, " eateth bread with Me," used in such close juxtaposition to the institution of the Lord's Supper, are very remarkable.
The grand lesson, that we must be prepared for much disap- pointment in friends and companions in this life, is very plain in this passage. The less we expect from man the better.
19. — [^Now I tell you before, etc.] There can be little doubt that this verse applies to the warning of Judas' approaching apos- tasy which our Lord had just given. " I tell you of the com- ing fall of one of your number before it takes i^lace, in order that when it takes place you may not be confounded, but may see fresh reason for believing that I am the promised Mes- siah."
The expression, " I am He," in the Greek is literally, " I am." Is there any reference to the famous " I AM " hath sent me in Exodus ? It comes in close connection with " sending " in the next verse.
20. — [ Verily, verily I say, etc.'] Our Lord's purpose in this verse seems to be to encourage and cheer His faithful disciples. " Be not dismayed " he seems to say, " though one of your number is unfaithful and falls away. Persevere and fear not. Remember the high dignity of your office. I solemnly declare to you that he who receives you or any one else whom I send forth to preach the Gospel, receives Me, because ye are my rep- resentatives. Nor is this all. He that receives Me, receives not Me only, but God the Father who sent Me. Ye have no cause therefore to be ashamed of your calling however unworthily some may behave."
Let us note that it is no light matter to reject and despise a faithful minister of Christ. A weak and ignorant servant may carry a message for a royal master, and for his master's sake, ought not to be lightly esteemed. Contempt for Christ's min- isters, when they are really faithful, is a bad symptom in a church or nation.
The connection of this verse with the preceding passage is certainly not easy to see, and has puzzled all commentators. Some, as Alford, have thought that our Lord intended to show the wickedness of Judas in giving up such an honorable office as that of the Apostleship. This seems far-fetched. — Some re- fer it back to the command to imitate our Lord's humility by