John Gill Commentary Matthew 26:25

"And Judas, who betrayed him, answered and said, Is it I, Rabbi? He saith unto him, Thou hast said." — Matthew 26:25 (ASV)

Then Judas, who betrayed him
Or that was about to betray him, as the Ethiopic version reads it: he had taken a step towards it, was seeking an opportunity to do it, and at length effected it: the Persic version reads, Judas Iscariot; who after all the rest had put the question,

answered and said, Master, is it I ?
Who though he knew what he had been doing, and what he further resolved to do, and was conscious to himself he was the man; nay, though he had been pointed out as the person, and the most dreadful woe denounced on him, that should be the betrayer, in his hearing; yet all this did not at all affect his marble heart; but in the most audacious manner, and without any concern of mind, or show of guilt, asks if he was the person; suggesting, that surely he could not mean him. It is observed by some, that the word Rabbi, used by Judas, is a more honourable name than that of Lord, used by the disciples; thereby feigning to give Christ more honour, and exceed in his respect to him, than the rest of the disciples; in order, if he could, to cover his wicked designs:

he said unto him, you have said :
that is, it is as you have said; you have said right, you are the man; a way of speaking used, when what is asked is assented to as truth: thus it being

``said to a certain person, is Rabbi dead? He replied to them, (Nwtyrma Nwta) , "you have said"; and they rent their clothes^F9 .'' Taking it for granted, by that answer, that so it was.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F9: T. Hieros Kilaim, fol. 32. 2.