Did Judas Receive Communion At Last Supper? - Catholic Philly

Home » Where Is Judas In The Last Supper » Did Judas Receive Communion At Last Supper? - Catholic Philly

Maybe your like

Skip to page content MENUMENU CatholicPhilly MOREMORE SHARESPREAD THE WORD Close

Jesus’ Baptism Reminds Us to Give Thanks for God’s Gifts

Relationships Strengthen Families, Such as Holy Family, and Church

Advent Week 4: By His Trust in God’s Plan, Joseph Becomes Model of Faith

Total Reliance on God Bolsters Our Hope, for God is With Us

Advent Week 3: ‘Gaudete’ Reminds Us to Slow Down, See Christ’s Presence

Our Inner Transformation Takes Time, Which Advent Affords

Spirituality

Did Judas receive Communion at Last Supper?

Share this story

Twitter Facebook Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn Email Print

Father Kenneth Doyle

By Father Kenneth Doyle • Catholic News Service • Posted November 20, 2019

Q. At the Last Supper, Jesus told the apostles to take his body and his blood. But Christ knew that Judas was in a state of serious sin. So how could he have let him receive? (Alexandria, Louisiana)

A. Scripture scholars indicate that there is room for debate as to whether Judas was still present at the Last Supper after Jesus had instituted the Eucharist. Luke’s account (22:17-23) would lead one to believe that Judas did share in consuming Christ’s body and blood.

In Luke, after blessing the bread and wine and indicating that it was now his body and blood, Jesus says: “Behold, the hand of the one who is to betray me is with me on the table; for the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed” (22:21-22).

The other evangelists, though — especially John — would seem to indicate that Judas may have already exited before the Eucharist was celebrated and shared.

[hotblock]

In John (13:21-30), the apostles are greatly troubled at Christ’s announcement of his betrayal and, in response to their question as to the betrayer’s identity, Jesus says, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.”

Then, after Jesus had handed the morsel to Judas, Judas “took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.” There is no indication that this took place after the institution of the Eucharist or that that particular morsel was different from the other food consumed at the supper.

But if Judas did in fact receive the Eucharist that night, why would Jesus have permitted it? One possibility is that Jesus left Judas free to make the choice and that the burden for the decision would have been on Judas for sharing that sacred food unworthily, since he had already been plotting Christ’s betrayal.

Another explanation might be that Judas was already feeling remorse for what he had done, although he clearly chose the wrong way to demonstrate that remorse when, “flinging the money into the temple, he departed and went off and hanged himself” (Mt 27:5).

Q. My wife and I married 53 years ago and have had nine children. Some of them served on the altar, and all of them went to Catholic schools. Our ninth child was refused for baptism because the priest insisted that my wife had to go to classes first.

I was not a Catholic at the time (I have since converted), and it bothered me a lot. How, I thought, could anyone deny a child the love and protection of God? I felt then that it was wrong, and I still do. Can you help me to understand? (Lincolnshire, England)

[hotblock2]

A. As for the “love and protection of God,” I wouldn’t worry about that part. God would find a way to offer that, even if a child were not baptized. But as to the baptism itself, I agree with you.

The Church’s Code of Canon Law indicates that for a baptism “there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion.” This same canon goes on to say that “if such a hope is altogether lacking, the baptism is to be delayed … after the parents have been advised about the reason” (Canon 868.1.2).

My own view is that the benefit of the doubt should always go to the parents, and I feel supported by the very wording of the canon. (To warrant a delay, says the canon, the hope of a Catholic upbringing must be “altogether lacking.”)

In your own situation, I don’t think there was any doubt at all: You were already, in fact, sending your other kids to a Catholic school. As for the baptismal preparation classes, they are surely worthwhile, especially for first-time parents. But for the ninth child, I would guess that your wife already knew a bit about the sacrament.

***

Questions may be sent to Father Kenneth Doyle at [email protected] and 30 Columbia Circle Dr., Albany, New York 12203.

Join the CatholicPhilly.com family

CatholicPhilly.com works to strengthen the connections between people, families and communities every day by delivering the news people need to know about the Catholic Church, especially in the Philadelphia region, and the world in which we live.

By your donation in any amount, you and hundreds of other people become part of our mission to inform, form in the Catholic faith and inspire the thousands of readers who visit every month.

Here is how you can help:

  • A $100 gift allows us to present award-winning photos of Catholic life in our neighborhoods.
  • A $50 gift enables us to cover a news event in a local parish, school or Catholic institution.
  • A $20 gift lets us obtain solid faith formation resources that can deepen your spirituality and knowledge of the faith.
  • A small, automated monthly donation means you can support us continually and easily.

Won't you consider making a gift today?

Please join in the church's vital mission of communications by offering a gift in whatever amount that you can ― a single gift of $40, $50, $100, or more, or a monthly donation. Your gift will strengthen the fabric of our entire Catholic community and sustain CatholicPhilly.com as your trusted news source. Thank you in advance!

Make your donation by credit card here:

Click to make a secure contribution.

Or make your donation by check: CatholicPhilly.com 222 N. 17th Street Philadelphia, PA 19103

PREVIOUS: The Liturgical calendar: Growing in Jesus through the years

NEXT: Praising God inside prisons of many kinds

Popular this week

USCCB: Statement of USCCB on Vatican’s Document Addressing Pastoral Blessings

Pope Francis’ May 2023 Prayer Intention | Watch Video

Reverend John R. McFadden

See Scenes: Christmas Eve Vigil Mass at the Cathedral Basilica

Christmas Mass and Crèche Blessing at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center

© 2026 CatholicPhilly

Tag » Where Is Judas In The Last Supper