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.

The Plot to Kill Jesus and Judas's Betrayal

Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, drew near.

The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.

Satan entered into Judah, who was also called Iscariot, who was numbered with the twelve.

He went away, and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them.

They were glad, and agreed to give him money.

He consented, and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude.

Preparations for the Passover

The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed.

He sent Peter and Yochanan, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”

They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare?”

He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters.

Tell the master of the house, ‘The Rabbi says to you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’

He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.”

They went, found things as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Institution of the Lord's Supper

When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve emissaries.

He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,

for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”

He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this, and share it among yourselves,

for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God comes.”

He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.”

Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.

The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!”

They began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.

Dispute Over Greatness

There arose also a contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest.

He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’

But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves.

For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am in your midst as one who serves.

But you are those who have continued with me in my trials.

I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me,

that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial

The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat,

but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”

He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!”

He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times.”

He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, and wallet, and shoes, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”

Readiness for the Coming Conflict

Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.

For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ For that which concerns me has an end.”

They said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.” He said to them, “That is enough.”

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

He came out, and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him.

When he was at the place, he said to them, “Pray that you don’t enter into temptation.”

He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed,

saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him.

Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.

When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief,

and said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

The Arrest of Jesus

While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judah, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Yeshua to kiss him.

But Yeshua said to him, “Judah, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”

A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

But Yeshua answered, “Let me at least do this” —and he touched his ear, and healed him.

Yeshua said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?

When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn’t stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Peter Denies Jesus

They seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed from a distance.

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

A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, “This man also was with him.”

He denied Yeshua, saying, “Woman, I don’t know him.”

After a little while someone else saw him, and said, “You also are one of them!” But Peter answered, “Man, I am not!”

After about one hour passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean!”

But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.

The Lord turned, and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how he said to him, “Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.”

He went out, and wept bitterly.

Jesus Mocked and Examined

The men who held Yeshua mocked him and beat him.

Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?”

They spoke many other things against him, insulting him.

As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away into their council, saying,

“If you are the Messiah, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you won’t believe,

and if I ask, you will in no way answer me or let me go.

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

They all said, “Are you then the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say it, because I am.”

They said, “Why do we need any more witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth!”

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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