Luke 22:7

¶ Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

Then {G1161} came {G2064} the day {G2250} of unleavened bread {G106}, when {G1722}{G3739} the passover {G3957} must {G1163} be killed {G2380}.

Then came the day of matzah, on which the Passover lamb had to be killed.

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

And the day of unleavened bread came, on which the passover must be sacrificed.

Luke 22:7 sets the stage for one of the most pivotal moments in human history: the Last Supper and the subsequent crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This verse pinpoints the specific timing within the Jewish calendar, highlighting the deep theological significance of Christ's sacrifice.

Context

This verse refers to the "Day of Unleavened Bread," which was intimately connected with the Passover festival. According to Mosaic Law, the Passover lamb was sacrificed on the 14th day of Nisan, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread began immediately thereafter, lasting for seven days, during which no leaven was permitted in Jewish homes. The two festivals were often spoken of interchangeably or as a single extended period, especially in common parlance. For Jesus and His disciples, this was the critical time when they would prepare to observe the traditional Passover meal in Jerusalem, fulfilling ancient customs even as Jesus prepared to inaugurate a new covenant through His own blood.

Key Themes

  • Divine Timing and Fulfillment: The precision of the timing underscores God's meticulous plan. Jesus, the ultimate Passover Lamb, was to be "killed" (sacrificed) at the very time the traditional lambs were being slaughtered for the Passover meal. This highlights His role as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and types.
  • Sacrifice and Atonement: The verse implicitly points to the necessity of sacrifice for atonement. Just as the Passover lamb's blood protected the Israelites in Egypt (Exodus 12), Jesus' shed blood would provide ultimate redemption for all who believe.
  • Transition to the New Covenant: The events that follow this verse, particularly the Last Supper, demonstrate Jesus transitioning His disciples from the old covenant's shadow to the reality of the new, where He Himself is the true sacrifice.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "the day of unleavened bread" is he hemera tōn azymōn (ἡ ἡμέρα τῶν ἀζύμων). While technically the Feast of Unleavened Bread followed the Passover meal, the term here encompasses the entire festive period, starting with the preparation for the Passover sacrifice. The phrase "must be killed" (ἔδει θύεσθαι, edei thyesthai) indicates a divine necessity and obligation for the Passover lamb's slaughter, foreshadowing the divine necessity of Christ's own sacrifice.

Reflection and Application

Understanding the precise context of Luke 22:7 helps us grasp the profound significance of Jesus' actions. His willingness to become the ultimate Passover sacrifice, shed His blood, and institute the Lord's Supper during this sacred time was not coincidental but divinely orchestrated. It calls us to remember that our salvation is rooted in God's perfect timing and the substitutionary death of Christ. As we reflect on this verse, we are invited to appreciate the depth of God's redemptive plan and the immense love demonstrated through His Son, our true Passover.

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.

  • Exodus 12:18

    In the first [month], on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.

  • Mark 14:12

    ¶ And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?

  • Mark 14:16

    And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

  • Matthew 26:17

    ¶ Now the first [day] of the [feast of] unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?

  • Matthew 26:19

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

  • Exodus 12:6

    And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

  • Luke 22:1

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

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