Luke 22:37

For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

For {G1063} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, that {G3754} this {G5124} that is written {G1125} must {G1163} yet {G2089} be accomplished {G5055} in {G1722} me {G1698}, And {G2532} he was reckoned {G3049} among {G3326} the transgressors {G459}: for {G2532}{G1063} the things concerning {G4012} me {G1700} have {G2192} an end {G5056}.

For I tell you this: the passage from the Tanakh that says, ‘He was counted with transgressors,’ has to be fulfilled in me; since what is happening to me has a purpose.”

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.”

For I say unto you, that this which is written must be fulfilled in me, And he was reckoned with transgressors: for that which concerneth me hath fulfilment.

Context

This verse is spoken by Jesus to His disciples during the Last Supper, just before His arrest and crucifixion. It is a pivotal moment where Jesus prepares His followers for the profound suffering and apparent defeat He is about to undergo. He emphasizes that these impending events are not accidental or unexpected but are the deliberate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. He is consciously walking into the very role prophesied for Him, thereby giving divine meaning to His suffering and death.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Fulfillment: The central theme is Jesus' explicit declaration that the prophecy of being "reckoned among the transgressors" must be accomplished in Him. This directly points to Isaiah 53:12, which speaks of the Suffering Servant bearing the sins of many and being numbered with the wicked. This highlights Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah and the divine orchestration of His passion.
  • Jesus' Redemptive Mission: By identifying with "transgressors," Jesus underscores His mission to take on humanity's sin and offer Himself as a sacrifice. His willingness to be treated as a criminal, despite His sinlessness, is fundamental to the concept of atonement and redemption.
  • The Culmination of His Earthly Work: The phrase "the things concerning me have an end" signifies the culmination and completion of Jesus' earthly ministry and His redemptive purpose. It's not merely a cessation of His life, but the reaching of a divinely appointed goal—the ultimate act of salvation through His death and resurrection.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "he was reckoned among the transgressors" is a direct quotation from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) version of Isaiah 53:12. This prophecy was literally fulfilled during Jesus' crucifixion when He was crucified between two criminals (Mark 15:28; Matthew 27:38). The Greek word translated "have an end" is telos (τέλος), which implies more than just a stopping point. It conveys the idea of a goal, a fulfillment, a completion, or a consummation. Thus, Jesus' suffering and death were not a tragic accident but the purposeful and necessary fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound insights for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Even in the face of immense suffering and apparent defeat, Jesus emphasizes that God's divine plan is being perfectly executed. This encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate control and purpose, even when circumstances seem chaotic or unjust.
  • Understanding the Cost of Salvation: Jesus' willingness to be "reckoned among the transgressors" highlights the depth of His sacrifice and the immense cost of our redemption. It reminds us that our salvation was not cheap but was secured by the sinless Son of God identifying with our sinful condition.
  • Reliability of Scripture: The precise fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in Jesus' life and death powerfully affirms the trustworthiness and divine inspiration of the Bible. It assures us that God's Word is true and His promises are unfailing, providing a firm foundation for faith.
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.

  • Isaiah 53:12

    Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  • Luke 23:32

    ¶ And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

  • Galatians 3:13

    Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:

  • Acts 13:27

    For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled [them] in condemning [him].

  • Acts 13:29

    And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took [him] down from the tree, and laid [him] in a sepulchre.

  • John 19:28

    After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

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