The disciples in consternation looked upon one another, "doubting of whom He spoke," says St. John. And being very much troubled they began to say to Him one by one:
"Is it I, Lord?"
And He answering said: "One of the Twelve whose hand is with Me on the table, he shall betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goeth as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man shall be betrayed; it were better for him if that man had not been born."
Terrified at these awful words, the disciples were silent. But presently Judas, afraid of being noticed if he did not ask with the rest, said:
"Is it I, Rabbi?"
Jesus answered him in a whisper: "Thou hast said it."
How careful our Lord must have been of the good name of Judas, that not one of his fellow-disciples thought of suspecting him. Even now the miserable man was not afraid of his Master betraying him, or he would never have dared to put that question. What would have happened if Peter or the sons of Zebedee had heard those words: "Thou hast said it?"
The Heart of Jesus was wrung with anguish at the thought of the misery to which one of His chosen Twelve was rushing. Again and again during the supper He speaks of the betrayal, now in tender, now in terrible words, striving by fear when love had failed to save him before it is too late.
But now for a brief space the heavy cloud that overshadowed them all seemed lifted. For, as they looked upon the Master, they saw His countenance glow with
