Verse 21 That is, the event must take place, as predetermined in the sovereign counsels of God,--but woe to the wicked agent through whose instrumentality the work is done. This is a very strong and remarkable assertion of the great moral truth, that the sovereignty of God is absolute and entire over every event that comes to pass, while yet it does not shield the guilty from moral responsibility for the part they perform in the accomplishment of his designs. The calm decision with which the principle is asserted in reference to so very strong a case, directly involving as it does, the great difficulty of difficulties in moral philosophy, makes this one of the most remarkable passages in the sacred Scriptures. The Son of man goeth, as it is written of him, but woe unto him by whom he is betrayed.