Luke22

Luke 22 details the events leading to Jesus's arrest, beginning with Judas's betrayal agreement and the institution of the Lord's Supper. Jesus then prays in Gethsemane, facing profound agony and submitting to God's will. He is subsequently arrested by Judas's kiss, while Peter denies him three times, fulfilling prophecy, and Jesus is brought before the Jewish council.

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The Plot to Kill Jesus and Judas's Betrayal

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching,

and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death; for they feared the people.

Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve.

And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them.

They were delighted and agreed to give him money.

Judas consented, and began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them in the absence of a crowd.

Preparations for the Passover

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed.

Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare for us to eat the Passover.”

“Where do You want us to prepare it?” they asked.

He answered, “When you enter the city, a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him to the house he enters,

and say to the owner of that house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’

And he will show you a large upper room, already furnished. Make preparations there.”

So they went and found it just as Jesus had told them. And they prepared the Passover.

Institution of the Lord's Supper

When the hour had come, Jesus reclined at the table with His apostles.

And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering.

For I tell you that I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves.

For I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”

And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.

Look! The hand of My betrayer is with Mine on the table.

Indeed, the Son of Man will go as it has been determined, but woe to that man who betrays Him.”

Then they began to question among themselves which of them was going to do this.

Dispute Over Greatness

A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them would be considered the greatest.

So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors.

But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves.

For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.

You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials.

And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me,

so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial

Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.

But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

“Lord,” said Peter, “I am ready to go with You even to prison and to death.”

But Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out without purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered.

Readiness for the Coming Conflict

“Now, however,” He told them, “the one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag; and the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.

For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about Me is reaching its fulfillment.”

So they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” He answered.

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him.

When He came to the place, He told them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.”

And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, where He knelt down and prayed,

“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.

And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.

When Jesus rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.

“Why are you sleeping?” He asked. “Get up and pray so that you will not enter into temptation.”

The Arrest of Jesus

While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him.

But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?”

And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.

Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple officers, and elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against an outlaw?

Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on Me. But this hour belongs to you and to the power of darkness.”

Peter Denies Jesus

Then they seized Jesus, led Him away, and took Him into the house of the high priest. And Peter followed at a distance.

When those present had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.

A servant girl saw him seated in the firelight and looked intently at him. “This man also was with Him,” she said.

But Peter denied it. “Woman, I do not know Him,” he said.

A short time later, someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.”

About an hour later, another man insisted, “Certainly this man was with Him, for he too is a Galilean.”

“Man, I do not know what you are talking about,” Peter replied. While he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”

And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Jesus Mocked and Examined

The men who were holding Jesus began to mock Him and beat Him.

They blindfolded Him and kept demanding, “Prophesy! Who hit You?”

And they said many other blasphemous things against Him.

At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said,

“If You are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe.

And if I ask you a question, you will not answer.

But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

So they all asked, “Are You then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.”

“Why do we need any more testimony?” they declared. “We have heard it for ourselves from His own lips.”

Study Notes for Luke 22

Verse 1

The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Nisan 15-21) began immediately after the Passover sacrifice (Nisan 14), thus the terms are often used interchangeably to refer to the entire festival period.

Verse 2

The religious leaders sought to kill Jesus quietly, fearing a riot among the people who generally viewed Jesus favorably (cf. 19:48).

Verse 3

Luke emphasizes the supernatural motivation for Judas’s action, showing that the betrayal was not merely political or financial, but instigated by Satan.

Verse 7

This verse marks the beginning of Nisan 14, the day when the Passover lamb was traditionally slaughtered in the late afternoon.

Verse 10

The sign of a man carrying water (usually women’s work) was unique and likely pre-arranged, demonstrating Jesus' sovereign foresight and control over the events.

Verse 14

The 'hour' refers to the appointed time for the Passover meal, but also the specific time set by God for the inauguration of the New Covenant.

Verse 15

Jesus expresses deep emotional intensity (a Hebrew idiom for 'I have greatly desired') to share this final Passover, knowing it would be replaced by the sacrifice of his own life.

Verse 16

Jesus emphasizes the eschatological nature of the meal. The Passover foreshadowed the ultimate redemption, which will be fully realized when God's kingdom arrives in its fullness.

Verse 19

The bread is identified as Jesus’ body 'given for you.' This act establishes the Eucharist (Communion) as the central act of Christian remembrance and worship, linking the meal directly to his sacrificial death.

Verse 20

The 'new testament in my blood' fulfills the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:31, establishing a new covenant relationship between God and humanity based on forgiveness achieved through Christ's shed blood.

Verse 22

Jesus affirms both divine sovereignty (it was 'determined' or appointed) and human moral responsibility ('woe unto that man'). The betrayal was part of God’s plan, yet Judas remains accountable.

Verse 24

Even at this solemn moment, the disciples struggled with worldly ambition, revealing a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of Jesus' kingdom.

Verse 27

Jesus provides the ultimate model for Christian leadership: the greatest is the one who serves. He demonstrates this truth by his own actions, being among them 'as he that serveth.'

Verse 29

Despite their failures, Jesus affirms the disciples' future role, promising them authority and participation in the messianic kingdom.

Verse 31

The Greek word for 'you' here is plural, indicating Satan sought to attack all the disciples, testing their loyalty and faith like a farmer sifting grain.

Verse 32

Jesus specifically prayed for Peter, not that he would not fall, but that his faith would not utterly fail. His restoration was intended to strengthen the other disciples.

Verse 36

This instruction marks a shift from the peaceful mission of Galilee to the coming period of severe opposition. The command to buy a sword is likely symbolic of the imminent danger and necessity of self-reliance, rather than a literal call to armed defense.

Verse 37

Jesus quotes Isaiah 53:12. His impending arrest and execution as a criminal fulfills prophecy, showing that his rejection and suffering are the culmination ('an end') of his mission.

Verse 39

Gethsemane, located on the Mount of Olives, was Jesus' customary place of retreat. His regular habit of prayer underscores its necessity in times of stress.

Verse 42

The 'cup' is a biblical metaphor for suffering or God’s judgment (cf. Ps 75:8). Jesus’ prayer demonstrates perfect human submission, prioritizing God’s will over his own natural desire to avoid agony.

Verse 43

Verses 43–44 are absent from some important early manuscripts, but they describe the profound physical and spiritual agony Jesus endured as he faced the cross.

Verse 44

The description of sweat like drops of blood (hematidrosis) emphasizes the extreme psychological and physical stress Jesus was under during this intense prayer.

Verse 47

The kiss was the traditional sign of respect and loyalty between a student and teacher, making Judas's action the ultimate act of hypocrisy and betrayal.

Verse 51

Jesus immediately heals the severed ear of the high priest's servant (Malchus, according to John 18:10). This final miracle before the cross demonstrates Jesus’ compassion and non-violent submission to God’s plan.

Verse 53

Jesus contrasts his public teaching ministry with the secrecy and violence of their present action. He recognizes this as the 'hour' when God temporarily permits the 'power of darkness' (Satan and his agents) to prevail.

Verse 54

Peter following 'afar off' reflects his conflicted state: loyalty to Jesus mixed with fear and self-preservation.

Verse 61

The Lord's gaze upon Peter is the catalyst for repentance, bringing Peter’s memory and conscience to bear on his denial, resulting in immediate remorse and bitter weeping.

Verse 63

The mockery, abuse, and physical violence begin immediately after the arrest, before the formal trial, revealing the deep hatred of the guards and attendants.

Verse 66

The Sanhedrin, the Jewish high council, gathered at daybreak to conduct a legal proceeding, likely to give their actions a semblance of judicial authority before handing Jesus over to the Romans.

Verse 69

Jesus answers the council's question by claiming the highest possible authority, referencing Daniel 7:13 and Psalm 110:1, asserting his future exaltation as the divine Son of Man.

Verse 70

The council confirms that Jesus has claimed the title 'Son of God,' which they interpreted as blasphemy and grounds for a capital charge.

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