John 13:18-30 (NKJV) The Tragic Story of Judas​

18  I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.' 19  Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. 20  Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me." 21  When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." 22  Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. 23  Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24  Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. 25  Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?" 26  Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27  Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly." 28  But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. 29  For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, "Buy those things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor. 30  Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night. ​

​Questions to Consider:

1. How would you feel about serving with or working beside a person who does not have your best interests in mind?
2. Have you ever been betrayed by someone who posed as a friend?  (How did you cope with it?)
3. We know that ultimately Judas was filled with remorse over his actions of betrayal.  In the final analysis, was Judas doomed from the beginning, or could he have repented and been restored, even after betraying Jesus?

​In the time of Jesus' public ministry, the name of "Judas" was a popular name.  Judas is a Greek variation of Judah, and it means "praised."  No less than two of the original disciples were named Judas.  The actions of betrayal by one Judas Iscariot has forever left a dark stain on this name.  Unless a person is either ignorant or has some animus towards Christianity, they generally avoid giving this name to their children.The disciples are sharing what is popularly known as the "Last Supper" with Jesus.  v.18 Jesus makes it known that one of the disciples He chose will come against Him; but Jesus also acknowledges that He chose this particular disciple to fulfill a prophetic word found in Scripture.  What this means is that the behavior of Judas did not blind-side Jesus.  Jesus, from the very beginning of including Judas in the circle of the 12 disciples was aware of Judas' duplicitous heart.  
v.21 Jesus tells His disciples: "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me."  This had to be a troubling revelation.  If Jesus was to be believed it meant that one of their number was a traitor.  "Who is it?"  They all wanted to know.
It must have been a chaotic scene, because even after Jesus told them that the guilty party was the one to whom He would give a piece of bread that He had dipped, and then gave it to Judas Iscariot; the disciples thought that Judas left the room to buy something for the group.
In terms of timing, when taking in to account the story of Judas' betrayal of Jesus found in Luke 22, it is possible that Judas had already struck a deal with the leaders of the Jews to betray Jesus before the "Last Supper."  When Judas left  Jesus and the disciples during supper that night it was to complete his part of the dubious bargain.  Judas knew where Jesus was going after the super was completed and he was going to bring the temple guard to that place to arrest Jesus.