Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 14:18

"And as they sat and were eating, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you shall betray me, [even] he that eateth with me." — Mark 14:18 (ASV)

The Passover meal was originally eaten standing (Exodus 12:11). But in Jesus’ time it had become customary to eat it in a reclining position.

Jesus then disclosed that one of the Twelve would betray him. “One of you!” It came like a bolt of lightning. It was almost unbelievable. But Jesus must be speaking the truth!

Jesus further identified the betrayer as “one who is eating with me.” To betray a friend after eating a meal with him was, and still is, regarded as the worst kind of treachery in the Middle East (Jesus may have had in mind Ps 41:9; cf. Jn 13:18).