And foretasting the joy of approaching triumph, they, with silent consent, invited Judas to decide the matter.
Peter called out, "Come now, Judas the wise, tell us who will be first, nearest to Jesus, he or I ?" But Judas remained silent, breathing heavily, his eyes eagerly questioning the quiet, deep eyes of Jesus.
"Yes," John condescendingly repeated, "tell us who will be first, nearest to Jesus." Without taking his eyes off Christ, Judas slowly rose, and answered quietly and gravely: "I." Jesus let His gaze fall slowly.

And quietly striking himself on the breast with a bony finger, Iscariot repeated solemnly and sternly: "I, I shall be nearest to Jesus!" And he went out.

Struck by his insolent freak, the disciples remained silent; but Peter suddenly recalling something, whispered to Thomas in an unexpectedly gentle voice: "So that is what he is always thinking about! See ?".