“And they were very sorrowful and began to say to Him one after another, ‘Is it I, Lord?’ He answered, ‘He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me…’ Then Judas, who would betray Him, answered, ‘Is it I, Rabbi?’”
-Matthew 26:22-25
There are betrayals that wound the flesh. But there are also betrayals that deny the spirit.
And Judas committed both.
The Betrayal Before the Betrayal
Many focus on the moment Judas kissed Jesus in the garden, marking Him for arrest. But the seed of that act was sown long before—when Judas saw Jesus as a mere teacher rather than the Son of God.
While the other disciples at the Last Supper addressed Jesus as “Lord“, Judas alone used the term “Rabbi.”
This wasn’t just semantics.
This was spiritual rejection.
To call someone “Lord” (Kyrios) was to recognize divine authority. It was the title used for Yahweh in Greek translations of the Old Testament. Judas chose a lesser word—a safer one. “Rabbi” meant teacher—an honorable title, but one that boxed Jesus into human terms.
He could admire Jesus, even follow Him.
But he wouldn’t worship Him.
What This Reveals About Judas
This moment reveals something far more tragic than the silver exchanged or the kiss of betrayal—is shows that Judas never really believed.
“But there are some of you who do not believe.”
-John 6:64
Even after walking with Jesus, witnessing miracles, and hearing the Word from the Word Himself, Judas didn’t have revelation.
“No one can say,’Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.”
–1 Corinthians 12:3
This verse isn’t just about a title. It’s about a spiritual unlocking—an inward recognition of divine truth. Judas never experienced this.
Spiritual Proximity Does Not Equal Spiritual Revelation
One of the most sobering truths in scripture is that you can be close to Jesus physically, yet far from Him spiritually.
Judas saw what others saw—dead men raised, blind eyes opened—but instead of faith, he harbored ambition, disappointment, and control.
He wanted a political Messiah, not a crucified one.
He wanted a kingdom now, not eternity later.
So when Jesus spoke of dying, of surrender, of meekness—Judas’ heart turned.
He never wanted a Lord. He wanted a leader who fit his plan.
“They went out from us, but they were not of us…”
–John 2:19
What This Means for Us
The chilling truth is: many people today so the same thing.
They admire Jesus. They quote Him. They may even attend church.
But deep down, they’ve labeled Him as a wise man… not the living God.
To call Jesus “Rabbi” is easy.
To call Him “Lord” means surrender.
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?”
–Luke 6:46
Faith isn’t about words—it’s about recognition.
True belief sees Him not as a moral example but as the embodiment of God in flesh.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
–John 1:1, 14
“Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
–John 14:9
Jesus: God in Human Form
Scripture doesn’t hint that Jesus is God—it proclaims it boldly.
- Thomas, after the resurrection, cries out:
“My Lord and my God!”
–John 20:28
- Paul writes:
“In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
–Colossians 2:9
- Hebrews declares:
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being…”
–Hebrews 1:3
Final Reflection: Which Title Do You Use?
If Jesus stood before you today and said, “One of you will betray Me,” what would your answer be?
Would you say, “Is it I, Lord?” — from a place of reverence and heart-searching?
Or would your lips unconsciously reveal your distance from Him:
“Is it I, Rabbi?”
The question Judas asked wasn’t just an inquiry—it was a confession.
And it may have been the first betrayal, long before the kiss.
Key Scriptures to Meditate On:
- Matthew 26:20-25 (The Last Supper)
- John 1:1-14 (The Word made flesh)
- Philippians 2:6-11 (Christ’s divinity and humility)
- 1 John 2:22-23 (The spirit of the antichrist denies the Son)
- John 13:1-11 (Jesus knew who would betray Him)
Armored Ashes 
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