John 13:27

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 13:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And after the sop, then entered Satan into him. Jesus therefore saith unto him, What thou doest, do quickly.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And after the sop, then entered Satan into him. Jesus therefore saith unto him, What thou doest, do quickly.
John 13:27 — American Standard Version

Context — John 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
27And after the sop, then entered Satan into him. Jesus therefore saith unto him, What thou doest, do quickly.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And after the sop, Satan entered into him, etc.] After he had taken and eaten the sop, or crust of bread, by which he was pointed out to be the betrayer, “Satan entered into him”; possessed his body, and filled his mind, and stirred him up more eagerly to pursue with rigour his wicked design. The Jews have a saying f590, that “no man commits a transgression, until twjç jwr wb snkn, “a spirit of madness enters into him”.” Such an evil spirit entered into Judas, which pushed him on to commit this horrid iniquity: then said Jesus to him, that thou doest, do quickly; this he said, not as approving his wicked design, and exhorting him to it as a laudable action, but rather as deriding him, having…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“after the sop Satan entered into him--Very solemn are these brief hints of the successive steps by which Judas reached the climax of his guilt. "The devil had already put it into his heart to betray his Lord." Yet who can tell what struggles he went through ere he brought himself to carry that suggestion into effect? Even after this, however, his compunctions were not at an end. With the thirty pieces of silver already in his possession, he seems still to have quailed--and can we wonder? When Jesus stooped to wash his feet, it may be the last struggle was reaching its crisis. But that word of the Psalm, about "one that ate of his bread who would lift up his heel against Him" (Psa 41:9)…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“After the sop - After he had taken and probably eaten it. By this Judas saw that Jesus knew his design, and that he could not conceal his plan. He saw, also, that the other disciples would be acquainted with it; and, aroused by sudden anger, or with the apprehension that he should lose his reward, or that Jesus might escape, he resolved on executing his plan at once. Satan entered into him - The devil had before this put it into his heart to betray Jesus John 13:2, but he now excited him to a more decided purpose. See Luke 22:3; also Acts 5:3; “Why hath Satan filled thine heart,” etc. What thou doest, do quickly - This showed to Judas that Jesus was acquainted with his design. He did not…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“What thou doest, do quickly - This is not a permission, much less a command. It is only as if he had said, If thou art determined to do it, why dost thou delay? Hereby showing Judas, that he could not be hid, and expressing his own readiness to suffer. John 13:28”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:27 When Satan entered into Judas (see Luke 22:3), Judas became an example of what happens to those who are consumed by the darkness. Satan uses such people as pawns in a wider struggle against the light. • Hurry and do what you’re going to do: In issuing this command, Jesus once again showed that he was in control, not human beings or Satan (see study note on John 7:30).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Satan: Joh 13:2; Psa 109:6; Mat 12:45; Luk 8:32, Luk 8:33, Luk 22:3; Act 5:3 That: Kg1 18:27; Pro 1:16; Ecc 9:3; Jer 2:24, Jer 2:25; Dan 2:15; Mar 6:25; Jam 1:13-15 John 13:29”
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Sources and verification