Luke 22:10

KJV

And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Behold {G2400}, when ye {G5216} are entered {G1525} into {G1519} the city {G4172}, there shall {G4876} a man {G444} meet {G4876} you {G5213}, bearing {G941} a pitcher {G2765} of water {G5204}; follow {G190} him {G846} into {G1519} the house {G3614} where {G3757} he entereth in {G1531}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He told them, “As you’re going into the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house he enters,

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house whereinto he goeth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 22:10 records Jesus' precise, divinely-inspired instructions to Peter and John concerning the preparation of the Passover meal, which would become the Last Supper. Jesus directs them to follow a distinctive sign—a man carrying a pitcher of water—into a specific house in Jerusalem, revealing his sovereign foreknowledge and meticulous orchestration of events leading to this pivotal moment of communion and sacrifice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the critical prelude to Jesus' passion. The preceding verses ([Luke 22:7-9](/luke/22-7-9 "Luke 22:7-9 - Preparation for Passover")) show the disciples, specifically Peter and John, asking Jesus where they should prepare the Passover. Jesus' response in [Luke 22:10](/luke/22-10 "Luke 22:10 - Jesus' Instructions for the Passover Location") and the subsequent verses ([Luke 22:11-13](/luke/22-11-13 "Luke 22:11-13 - Finding the Upper Room")) provide highly detailed, almost cryptic, instructions that demonstrate his supernatural foreknowledge. This immediate context highlights the disciples' reliance on Jesus' divine guidance for even practical matters, setting the stage for the profound theological significance of the Last Supper that immediately follows in [Luke 22:14-20](/luke/22-14-20 "Luke 22:14-20 - The Institution of the Lord's Supper").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the week of Passover, a time of immense religious significance and heightened tension. Jerusalem would have been bustling with pilgrims, making finding a suitable, private location for the Passover Seder challenging. In ancient Jewish society, carrying water from a public well or spring was typically a task performed by women (e.g., [Genesis 24:11-16](/genesis/24-11-16 "Genesis 24:11-16 - Rebekah at the Well") or [John 4:7-9](/john/4-7-9 "John 4:7-9 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman")). Therefore, a man carrying a water pitcher (as opposed to a wineskin, which men often carried) would have been an unusual and highly distinctive sight, serving as a unique identifier for the disciples. This detail underscores the precision of Jesus' instructions and his awareness of the cultural norms.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 22](/luke/22 "Luke 22 - The Last Supper and Betrayal") is a chapter rich with themes of divine sovereignty, obedience, and preparation for sacrifice. Jesus' detailed instructions in [Luke 22:10](/luke/22-10 "Luke 22:10 - Jesus' Instructions for the Passover Location") exemplify his **divine foresight and control** over all circumstances, even mundane logistical details, assuring his disciples that His plan is unfolding precisely as intended, despite the looming betrayal and crucifixion. The disciples' ready **obedience** to these specific, unconventional directions is also a key theme, illustrating the importance of simple faith in following Christ's leading. Furthermore, this passage serves as a **preparation for significant events**, specifically the institution of the Lord's Supper, a foundational Christian sacrament (as seen in [Luke 22:19-20](/luke/22-19-20 "Luke 22:19-20 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")), demonstrating God's meticulous provision for His redemptive purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Behold (Greek, _idoú_):** This imperative particle serves as an exclamation, drawing immediate attention to what follows. It signifies that Jesus is about to reveal something important, a divinely given sign or instruction that requires careful observation and immediate action. In this context, it highlights the supernatural nature of Jesus' foreknowledge and the certainty of the sign.
* **pitcher (Greek, _kerámion_):** Referring to an earthenware vessel, this word itself is ordinary. However, its significance here is entirely contextual. The type of vessel, specifically for water, combined with the gender of the person carrying it, creates the unique and unmistakable sign Jesus provides. It's not a generic container, but one specifically associated with water, which was typically carried by women.
* **man (Greek, _ánthrōpos_):** This refers to a human being, a male in this context. The emphasis here is on the *male* identity of the water-carrier. As fetching water was culturally a woman's task, a man performing this chore would have been highly unusual and thus a perfect, unambiguous identifier for the disciples to follow. This detail underscores the precision and intentionality of Jesus' divine guidance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto them,"**: This introduces Jesus' direct communication to his disciples, specifically Peter and John, who had inquired about the Passover preparations in the preceding verse. It sets the stage for a crucial set of instructions.
* **"Behold, when ye are entered into the city,"**: "Behold" (Greek: _idoú_) acts as an attention-grabber, signaling the importance of the upcoming detail. Jesus directs them to enter Jerusalem, implying a specific, immediate action required before the sign appears.
* **"there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water;"**: This is the core of Jesus' prophetic instruction and the unique sign. The unusual sight of a man (typically women carried water pitchers) carrying a water pitcher would serve as an unmistakable identifier. The verb "meet" (Greek: _synantáō_) suggests an encounter that is divinely arranged and not coincidental.
* **"follow him into the house where he entereth in."**: This is the command for the disciples' response. Their task is simple: observe the sign, and then follow the man directly into the house he enters. This emphasizes the need for immediate and unquestioning obedience to Jesus' specific, divinely orchestrated directions.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 22:10 employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Jesus' precise instructions about finding the upper room anticipate the pivotal events of the Last Supper, his betrayal, and ultimately, his crucifixion. The detail of the "man bearing a pitcher of water" functions as a clear **sign** or **symbol**, a unique and divinely appointed identifier that would be unmistakable to the disciples. This unusual detail also creates a sense of **mystery** and **divine orchestration**, highlighting Jesus' **omniscience** and control over seemingly random events. The narrative structure here is also a form of **prophecy**, where Jesus predicts a specific future event (the encounter with the man) that immediately comes to pass, reinforcing his divine authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 22:10 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous sovereignty and foreknowledge, even over the minutiae of human events. Jesus' ability to predict the exact circumstances of finding the upper room—a man with a water pitcher, an unusual sight—demonstrates His divine control and preparation for His redemptive plan. This passage reassures believers that God is actively involved in orchestrating His purposes, providing specific guidance and making provision for His will to be accomplished, even amidst uncertainty or impending crisis. It calls for a posture of simple, trusting obedience to His often-unconventional leading, recognizing that great spiritual moments often hinge on small acts of faith.

* [Matthew 26:18-19](/matthew/26-18-19 "Matthew 26:18-19 - Jesus' Instructions in Matthew")
* [Mark 14:13-15](/mark/14-13-15 "Mark 14:13-15 - Jesus' Instructions in Mark")
* [John 13:1-2](/john/13-1-2 "John 13:1-2 - Jesus' Foreknowledge of His Hour")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 22:10 serves as a powerful reminder that God's providence extends to every detail of our lives, even the seemingly mundane or unexpected. Just as Jesus provided a specific, unusual sign for His disciples, He often guides us through unique circumstances, unexpected encounters, or quiet promptings that may not immediately make logical sense. Our call is to cultivate a spirit of attentiveness and simple, unwavering obedience. When we encounter an unusual "man with a pitcher" moment in our lives—a distinct leading, an unexpected open door, or a clear instruction that deviates from the norm—our response should be to "follow him." This passage encourages us to trust that God has already prepared the way for His purposes to unfold, and our faithful response, even when the full picture is unclear, is precisely what leads us into His greater plans and blessings. It teaches us that God’s provision is always perfectly aligned with His purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I seeking specific guidance from God, and how willing am I to follow even unusual or unexpected directions?**
* **Can I recall a time when God provided a unique "sign" or unexpected circumstance that led me to a significant spiritual moment or outcome? What did I learn about His providence?**
* **How does the disciples' simple obedience to Jesus' instructions encourage me to trust God's leading even when I don't fully understand the "why" or "how"?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus give such specific, almost cryptic, instructions instead of just naming the house?**

Answer: Jesus' highly specific and seemingly cryptic instructions in [Luke 22:10](/luke/22-10 "Luke 22:10 - Jesus' Instructions for the Passover Location") served multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, it demonstrated His **divine omniscience and sovereignty**. By predicting a unique and unusual sign (a man carrying a water pitcher, which was typically a woman's task), Jesus underscored His supernatural foreknowledge and control over all circumstances, even those that appear coincidental. This would have affirmed the disciples' faith in His divine authority. Secondly, it likely served as a measure of **secrecy and security**. Given the escalating tension and plots against Jesus (as seen in [Luke 22:1-6](/luke/22-1-6 "Luke 22:1-6 - Plot Against Jesus")), revealing the exact location directly could have compromised the Last Supper, allowing His enemies to interrupt or prevent it. The "sign" method ensured that only those whom Jesus intended—His disciples—would find the designated place. Finally, it required **active obedience and faith** from the disciples, reinforcing their reliance on His specific guidance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 22:10, though seemingly a logistical detail, is profoundly Christ-centered, revealing Jesus as the sovereign Lord who meticulously orchestrates His own path to the cross and the institution of the new covenant. The "man bearing a pitcher of water" is a divinely appointed sign, not a random occurrence, pointing to Jesus' complete control over His destiny, even as He enters His passion. This foreshadows His ultimate role as the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice is not a tragic accident but a preordained act of redemption (as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - Lamb Led to Slaughter") and fulfilled in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The preparation of the upper room, guided by Jesus' precise instructions, leads directly to the institution of the Lord's Supper, where Jesus establishes the New Covenant in His blood (as recounted in [Luke 22:19-20](/luke/22-19-20 "Luke 22:19-20 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")). Thus, this verse highlights Jesus as the one who fulfills the Passover, transforming it into the Christian Eucharist, and demonstrating that every detail of His life, including His final hours, is purposefully directed toward the salvation of humanity, culminating in His victorious death and resurrection. He is the one who prepares the way, not just for a meal, but for the very means of our reconciliation with God, inviting us to follow Him into His redemptive purpose, just as the disciples followed the man into the house.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 26:18

And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.

Matthew 26:19

And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

Acts 8:26

¶ And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

Acts 8:29

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

1 Samuel 10:2

When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?

1 Samuel 10:7

And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, [that] thou do as occasion serve thee; for God [is] with thee.

John 16:4

But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.