Luke 22:1

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

Now {G1161} the feast {G1859} of unleavened bread {G106} drew nigh {G1448}, which is called {G3004} the Passover {G3957}.

But the festival of Matzah, known as Pesach, was approaching;

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

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

Luke 22:1 serves as a pivotal introduction to the Passion narrative in Luke's Gospel, setting the precise chronological and spiritual backdrop for the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. This verse immediately places the narrative within the context of significant Jewish festivals, highlighting God's divine timing in the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

Context

The verse states, "Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover." These were two distinct but closely related Jewish festivals, celebrated consecutively in early spring:

  • The Passover (Pesach): This feast commemorated the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, specifically the night when the angel of death "passed over" the homes marked with the blood of a lamb, sparing the firstborn within. It was observed on the 14th day of the first month (Nisan).
  • The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot): This seven-day festival immediately followed Passover, beginning on the 15th of Nisan. During this time, Israelites were commanded to eat only unleavened bread (matzah) as a reminder of their hasty departure from Egypt, leaving no time for dough to rise.

By Jesus' time, these two feasts were often spoken of interchangeably or as one extended festival due to their proximity and shared themes of liberation and purity. Luke's mention of their approach signals that the most significant events of Jesus' ministry – His last supper, betrayal, trial, and crucifixion – are about to commence, aligning perfectly with the time when the Passover lambs were traditionally sacrificed.

Key Themes

  • Divine Timing: This verse underscores that Jesus' crucifixion was not a random event but occurred according to God's predetermined plan, aligning with the ancient Passover sacrifice.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The approaching Passover points to Jesus as the ultimate Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice would bring about a greater deliverance than that from Egypt – deliverance from sin and death.
  • Preparation for Sacrifice: The atmosphere of religious observance and purification associated with these feasts sets the stage for the profound spiritual cleansing Jesus would achieve through His atoning work.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "Passover" is Pascha (πάσχα), a direct transliteration of the Hebrew Pesach. It carries the dual meaning of the "passing over" of the angel of death and the festival itself, including the lamb sacrificed for it.
  • "Unleavened bread" comes from the Greek azymos (ἄζυμος), literally meaning "without leaven" or "unleavened." In biblical symbolism, leaven often represents corruption or sin (see 1 Corinthians 5:8), making the eating of unleavened bread a symbol of purity and putting away sin.

Practical Application

Luke 22:1 reminds us that God's plan is meticulously detailed and perfectly executed. The timing of Jesus' death during the Passover feast was not coincidental but providentially ordained to reveal Him as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. For believers today, this verse invites us to:

  • Appreciate God's Sovereignty: Reflect on how God orchestrates history to fulfill His redemptive purposes, even in the most challenging circumstances.
  • Understand Christ's Sacrifice: See Jesus as our true Passover Lamb, whose blood cleanses us from sin and sets us free from spiritual bondage, much like the original Passover delivered Israel from slavery.
  • Live a Pure Life: The symbolism of unleavened bread encourages us to strive for purity and to rid our lives of the "leaven" of sin, living in accordance with the new covenant established through Christ's blood (Luke 22:20).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 14:1

    ¶ After two days was [the feast of] the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put [him] to death.

  • Mark 14:2

    But they said, Not on the feast [day], lest there be an uproar of the people.

  • Leviticus 23:5

    In the fourteenth [day] of the first month at even [is] the LORD'S passover.

  • Leviticus 23:6

    And on the fifteenth day of the same month [is] the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.

  • Matthew 26:2

    Ye know that after two days is [the feast of] the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

  • Matthew 26:5

    But they said, Not on the feast [day], lest there be an uproar among the people.

  • John 11:55

    And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

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