Exit of Judas

It’s difficult to be exact as to when Judas left. Did he leave before or after the institution of what we call the Lord’s Supper? It seems before. John is pretty clear that Judas left immediately after being exposed. Luke, however, quotes Jesus as saying that the betrayer’s hand is with his at the table when he distributes the wine. However, Jesus may have been just saying that Judas was part of the evening. It may not be literal, saying that Judas was still there.

John records that Jesus signaled him as to who the betrayer was by giving the betrayer a morsel of food, apparently dipped in some sauce at the table. Most just assume it was an insignificant bit of food, but it was more likely what become known as Hillel’s sandwich. Hillel, the most influential rabbi, just before Jesus’s birth, said the minimum participation to complete the Passover was matzah, a bitter herb, and a bit of lamb.