Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 13:26

"Jesus therefore answereth, He it is, for whom I shall dip the sop, and give it him. So when he had dipped the sop, he taketh and giveth it to Judas, [the son] of Simon Iscariot." — John 13:26 (ASV)

Jesus gave no specific identification. He simply indicated that the offender would be the one to whom he would give the special morsel he had dipped into the dish. For the host to select a tidbit from the main dish and give it to a guest would be a mark of courtesy and esteem. The disciples, seeing this, would conclude only that Jesus regarded Judas as a close friend. While Jesus’ reply would answer the question for the beloved disciple, he could scarcely have communicated his knowledge to Peter at that moment without disturbing the peace of the group.