Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 26:22

"And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began to say unto him every one, Is it I, Lord?" — Matthew 26:22 (ASV)

And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

That short sentence fell like a bomb-shell among the Saviour's bodyguard. It startled them; they had all made great professions of affection for him, and, for the most part, those professions were true.

And they were exceeding sorrowful: and well they might be. Such a revelation was enough to produce the deepest emotions of sorrow and sadness.

It is a beautiful trait in the character of the disciples that they did not suspect one another, but every one of them inquired, almost incredulously, as the form of the question implies, "Lord, is it I?" No one said, "Lord, is it Judas?" Perhaps no one of the eleven thought that Judas was base enough to betray the Lord who had given him an honourable place among his apostles.

We cannot do any good by suspecting our brothers; but we may do great services by suspecting ourselves. Self-suspicion is closely related to humility.

And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

No one said, "Lord, is it Judas?" Perhaps no one of the eleven thought that Judas was base enough to betray the Lord who had given him an honourable place among his apostles. It is certainly a mark of grace that "every one" of the apostles put to their Lord the question, "Is it I?"

And began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

It shows a beautiful trait in their character that they did not suspect one another, and least of all, I suppose, did they suspect Judas; but each one asked, Lord, is it I? It is an admirable way of hearing a sermon to take it home to yourself, especially if there is a rebuke or a caution in it.

That short sentence fell like a bombshell among the Savior's bodyguard. It startled them. They had all made great professions of affection for Him, and, for the most part, those professions were true. And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and well they might be. Such a revelation was enough to produce the deepest emotions of sorrow and sadness.

It is a beautiful trait in the character of the disciples that they did not suspect one another, but every one of them inquired, almost incredulously, as the form of the question implies, Lord, is it I? No one said, “Lord, is it Judas?” Perhaps no one of the eleven thought that Judas was base enough to betray the Lord who had given him an honorable place among His apostles.

We cannot do any good by suspecting our brothers, but we may do great service by suspecting ourselves. Self-suspicion is closely related to humility.

And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

The habit of self-suspicion, rather than suspecting somebody else, is a good one. If there is anyone in this place who is going to commit a gross sin, why may it not be I? The natural tendency of each one of us is to say, "I shall never do such a thing as that, I am sure." Ah, me! If grace were truly reigning in our heart, each of us should be suspicious of ourselves, and not of others, and the question of each one would be, "Lord, is it I?" Not one of the apostles asked, "Lord, is it Judas?" or, "Is it So-and-so?" but every one of them began to say to him, "Lord, is it I?"

And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say to him, Lord, is it?

They did not doubt their Lord's declaration; they knew it must be true, and it produced in them deep emotion: They were exceeding sorrowful. It also brought about in them earnest self-examination; not one of them said, "Lord, is it Judas?"

Perhaps not one of them could have thought so badly of Judas as to suppose that he would betray his Lord; they had such esteem for him that they had made him their treasurer.

It is always wise for us to turn the glass of critical examination upon ourselves; we cannot do any good by suspecting our brethren. Suspicion stings like an adder, but we may do ourselves great service by suspecting and examining ourselves. Self-suspicion is closely related to humility and truthfulness; it was so with all but one of these disciples who began to say to Christ, "Lord, is it I?"

And began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

What anguish does that question always stir within the heart and mind of every true believer! "Shall I ever betray my Lord and Master? Shall I ever deny or forsake him?" God grant that none of us may ever do as Judas did!