Matthew 26:22

Καὶ λυπούμενοι σφόδρα ἤρξαντο λέγειν αὐτῷ ἕκαστος αὐτῶν, Μήτι ἐγώ εἰμι, Κύριε;

RBT Greek Interlinear:

Strongs 2532; Kai; Καὶ; And; Conj

Strongs 3076; lypoumenoi; λυπούμενοι; those who are being hurt; V-PPM/P-NMP

Strongs 4970; sphodra; σφόδρα; extremely; Adv

Strongs 756; ērxanto; ἤρξαντο; began; V-AIM-3P

Strongs 3004; legein; λέγειν; to say; V-PNA

Strongs 846; autō; αὐτῷ; self/itself/himself; PPro-DM/N3S

Strongs 1520; heis; εἷς; one; Adj-NMS

Strongs 1538; hekastos; ἕκαστος; each; Adj-NMS

Strongs 3385; Mēti; Μήτι; If not; IntPrtcl

Strongs 1473; egō; ἐγώ; myself; PPro-N1S

Strongs 1510; eimi; εἰμι; I am; V-PIA-1S

Strongs 2962; Kyrie; Κύριε; Master; N-VMS

RBT Translation:

What? I'm not Handing myself to you?

And those who are being pained exceedingly, began to say to self, one apiece, "Is it not I, myself, master?"^49d

Asleep at the wheel, of the Evening Meal.
One from out of yourselves.
The Hour, the opportune time

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
And they being greatly grieved, began each of them to say to him, Far from it am I, O Lord:

LITV Translation:
And grieving exceedingly, they began to say to Him, each of them, Lord, not I am the one ?

Footnotes

49d

Mat 26:22

The Greek phrase Μήτι ἐγώ εἰμι is idiomatic and depends on context.

Μήτι – a particle used in questions expecting a “no” answer. It generally signals that the speaker expects denial or surprise.

ἐγώ εἰμι – “I myself am.” 

So Μήτι ἐγώ εἰμι literally is: “It is not I?” or “Am I not the one?” There is a subtle nuance between whether it is used in the sense of "surely it is not me" where the speaker is afraid that it is them, and the sense of "Is it not me" where the speaker is surprised that it is not them. 

The nuance hinges on the speaker’s expectation and emotional stance toward the proposition:

1. “Surely it is not I” – the speaker fears or dreads that it might be them. The question carries a sense of apprehension or avoidance. The expectation is negative: the speaker assumes it probably is not them, but the possibility that it is them is alarming.

2. “Is it not I” – the speaker is surprised or seeking confirmation. Here, the question expresses mild incredulity or clarification: the speaker might expect that it is them, or is puzzled that it seems otherwise.

In Greek, μήτι often signals this contrast: the particle sets up an expectation of denial, but the tone—fearful vs. surprised—depends on context and emotional coloring.