Being deeply grieved, they began saying to Him, each one: “Surely it is not I, Lord?”
Parallel translations
- WEB They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, “It isn’t me, is it, Lord?”
- KJV And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
- BSB They were deeply grieved and began to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?”
- NKJV And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?”
- NLT Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one, Lord?”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The grieved disciples each ask whether they are the betrayer. Their sorrow and self-examination reveal sincere hearts, unlike Judas.
Overview
Deeply distressed, the disciples question themselves rather than accuse one another, showing humility and self-distrust. Their grief contrasts with Judas's hidden hardness. The scene invites every reader to honest self-examination before the Lord, mindful of the weakness of the human heart.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Luke 22:23They began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.
- John 13:22–25The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke.
- Mark 14:19–20They began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, “Surely not I?” And another said, “Surely not I?”
- John 21:17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 26:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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