Luke 22

Plot to kill Jesus

1 The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called Passover, was approaching.

2 The chief priests and the legal experts were looking for a way to kill Jesus, because they were afraid of the people.

3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve.

4 He went out and discussed with the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard how he could hand Jesus over to them.

5 They were delighted and arranged payment for him.

6 He agreed and began looking for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them—a time when the crowds would be absent.

Disciples prepare for the Passover

7 The Day of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover had to be sacrificed.

8 Jesus sent Peter and John with this task: " Go and prepare for us to eat the Passover meal."

9 They said to him, "Where do you want us to prepare it?"

10 Jesus replied, " When you go into the city, a man carrying a water jar will meet you. Follow him to the house he enters.

11 Say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher says to you, Where is the guestroom where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples? '

12 He will show you a large upstairs room, already furnished. Make preparations there."

13 They went and found everything just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

The Passover meal

14 When the time came, Jesus took his place at the table, and the apostles joined him.

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

16 I tell you, I won't eat it until it is fulfilled in God's kingdom."

17 After taking a cup and giving thanks, he said, " Take this and share it among yourselves.

18 I tell you that from now on I won't drink from the fruit of the vine until God's kingdom has come."

19 After taking the bread and giving thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, " This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."

20 In the same way, he took the cup after the meal and said, “This cup is the new covenant by my blood, which is poured out for you.

21 " But look! My betrayer is with me; his hand is on this table.

22 The Human One goes just as it has been determined. But how terrible it is for that person who betrays him."

23 They began to argue among themselves about which of them it could possibly be who would do this.

The disciples debate greatness

24 An argument broke out among the disciples over which one of them should be regarded as the greatest.

25 But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles rule over their subjects, and those in authority over them are called ‘friends of the people.'

26 But that's not the way it will be with you. Instead, the greatest among you must become like a person of lower status and the leader like a servant.

27 So which one is greater, the one who is seated at the table or the one who serves at the table? Isn't it the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

28 “You are the ones who have continued with me in my trials.

29 And I confer royal power on you just as my Father granted royal power to me.

30 Thus you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones overseeing the twelve tribes of Israel.

Peter’s denial predicted

31 " Simon, Simon, look! Satan has asserted the right to sift you all like wheat.

32 However, I have prayed for you that your faith won't fail. When you have returned, strengthen your brothers and sisters."

33 Peter responded, "Lord, I'm ready to go with you, both to prison and to death!"

34 Jesus replied, " I tell you, Peter, the rooster won't crow today before you have denied three times that you know me."

Call for preparedness

35 Jesus said to them, " When I sent you out without a wallet, bag, or sandals, you didn't lack anything, did you?" They said, "Nothing."

36 Then he said to them, " But now, whoever has a wallet must take it, and likewise a bag. And those who don't own a sword must sell their clothes and buy one.

37 I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in relation to me: And he was counted among criminals. Indeed, what's written about me is nearing completion."

38 They said to him, "Lord, look, here are two swords." He replied, " Enough of that!"

Jesus in prayer

39 Jesus left and made his way to the Mount of Olives, as was his custom, and the disciples followed him.

40 When he arrived, he said to them, "Pray that you won't give in to temptation."

41 He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed.

42 He said, " Father, if it's your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done."

43 Then a heavenly angel appeared to him and strengthened him.

44 He was in anguish and prayed even more earnestly. His sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.

45 When he got up from praying, he went to the disciples. He found them asleep, overcome by grief.

46 He said to them, " Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you won't give in to temptation."

Jesus’ arrest

47 While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd appeared, and the one called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him.

48 Jesus said to him, " Judas, would you betray the Human One with a kiss?"

49 When those around him recognized what was about to happen, they said, "Lord, should we fight with our swords?"

50 One of them struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear.

51 Jesus responded, " Stop! No more of this!" He touched the slave's ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders who had come to get him, " Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me, as though I were a thief?

53 Day after day I was with you in the temple, but you didn't arrest me. But this is your time, when darkness rules."

Peter denies knowing Jesus

54 After they arrested Jesus, they led him away and brought him to the high priest's house. Peter followed from a distance.

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

56 Then a servant woman saw him sitting in the firelight. She stared at him and said, "This man was with him too."

57 But Peter denied it, saying, "Woman, I don't know him!"

58 A little while later, someone else saw him and said, "You are one of them too." But Peter said, "Man, I'm not!"

59 An hour or so later, someone else insisted, "This man must have been with him, because he is a Galilean too."

60 Peter responded, "Man, I don't know what you are talking about!" At that very moment, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.

61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered the Lord's words: " Before a rooster crows today, you will deny me three times."

62 And Peter went out and cried uncontrollably.

Jesus taunted

63 The men who were holding Jesus in custody taunted him while they beat him.

64 They blindfolded him and asked him repeatedly, "Prophesy! Who hit you?"

65 Insulting him, they said many other horrible things against him.

Jesus before the Jerusalem leadership

66 As morning came, the elders of the people, both chief priests and legal experts, came together, and Jesus was brought before their council.

67 They said, "If you are the Christ, tell us!" He answered, " If I tell you, you won't believe.

68 And if I ask you a question, you won't answer.

69 But from now on, the Human One will be seated on the right side of the power of God."

70 They all said, "Are you God's Son, then?" He replied, " You say that I am."

71 Then they said, "Why do we need further testimony? We've heard it from his own lips."

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Images for Luke 22

Luke 22 Commentary

Chapter 22

The treachery of Judas. (1-6) The passover. (7-18) The Lord's supper instituted. (19,20) Christ admonishes the disciples. (21-38) Christ's agony in the garden. (39-46) Christ betrayed. (47-53) The fall of Peter. (54-62) Christ confesses himself to be the Son of God. (63-71)

Verses 1-6 Christ knew all men, and had wise and holy ends in taking Judas to be a disciple. How he who knew Christ so well, came to betray him, we are here told; Satan entered into Judas. It is hard to say whether more mischief is done to Christ's kingdom, by the power of its open enemies, or by the treachery of its pretended friends; but without the latter, its enemies could not do so much evil as they do.

Verses 7-18 Christ kept the ordinances of the law, particularly that of the passover, to teach us to observe his gospel institutions, and most of all that of the Lord's supper. Those who go upon Christ's word, need not fear disappointment. According to the orders given them, the disciples got all ready for the passover. Jesus bids this passover welcome. He desired it, though he knew his sufferings would follow, because it was in order to his Father's glory and man's redemption. He takes his leave of all passovers, signifying thereby his doing away all the ordinances of the ceremonial law, of which the passover was one of the earliest and chief. That type was laid aside, because now in the kingdom of God the substance was come.

Verses 19-20 The Lord's supper is a sign or memorial of Christ already come, who by dying delivered us; his death is in special manner set before us in that ordinance, by which we are reminded of it. The breaking of Christ's body as a sacrifice for us, is therein brought to our remembrance by the breaking of bread. Nothing can be more nourishing and satisfying to the soul, than the doctrine of Christ's making atonement for sin, and the assurance of an interest in that atonement. Therefore we do this in rememberance of what He did for us, when he died for us; and for a memorial of what we do, in joining ourselves to him in an everlasting covenant. The shedding of Christ's blood, by which the atonement was made, is represented by the wine in the cup.

Verses 21-38 How unbecoming is the worldly ambition of being the greatest, to the character of a follower of Jesus, who took upon him the form of a servant, and humbled himself to the death of the cross! In the way to eternal happiness, we must expect to be assaulted and sifted by Satan. If he cannot destroy, he will try to disgrace or distress us. Nothing more certainly forebodes a fall, in a professed follower of Christ, than self-confidence, with disregard to warnings, and contempt of danger. Unless we watch and pray always, we may be drawn in the course of the day into those sins which we were in the morning most resolved against. If believers were left to themselves, they would fall; but they are kept by the power of God, and the prayer of Christ. Our Lord gave notice of a very great change of circumstances now approaching. The disciples must not expect that their friends would be kind to them as they had been. Therefore, he that has a purse, let him take it, for he may need it. They must now expect that their enemies would be more fierce than they had been, and they would need weapons. At the time the apostles understood Christ to mean real weapons, but he spake only of the weapons of the spiritual warfare. The sword of the Spirit is the sword with which the disciples of Christ must furnish themselves.

Verses 39-46 Every description which the evangelists give of the state of mind in which our Lord entered upon this conflict, proves the tremendous nature of the assault, and the perfect foreknowledge of its terrors possessed by the meek and lowly Jesus. Here are three things not in the other evangelists. 1. When Christ was in his agony, there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. It was a part of his humiliation that he was thus strengthened by a ministering spirit. 2. Being in agony, he prayed more earnestly. Prayer, though never out of season, is in a special manner seasonable when we are in an agony. 3. In this agony his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down. This showed the travail of his soul. We should pray also to be enabled to resist unto the shedding of our blood, striving against sin, if ever called to it. When next you dwell in imagination upon the delights of some favourite sin, think of its effects as you behold them here! See its fearful effects in the garden of Gethsemane, and desire, by the help of God, deeply to hate and to forsake that enemy, to ransom sinners from whom the Redeemer prayed, agonized, and bled.

Verses 47-53 Nothing can be a greater affront or grief to the Lord Jesus, than to be betrayed by those who profess to be his followers, and say that they love him. Many instances there are, of Christ's being betrayed by those who, under the form of godliness, fight against the power of it. Jesus here gave an illustrious example of his own rule of doing good to those that hate us, as afterwards he did of praying for those that despitefully use us. Corrupt nature warps our conduct to extremes; we should seek for the Lord's direction before we act in difficult circumstances. Christ was willing to wait for his triumphs till his warfare was accomplished, and we must be so too. But the hour and the power of darkness were short, and such the triumphs of the wicked always will be.

Verses 54-62 Peter's fall was his denying that he knew Christ, and was his disciple; disowning him because of distress and danger. He that has once told a lie, is strongly tempted to persist: the beginning of that sin, like strife, is as the letting forth of water. The Lord turned and looked upon Peter. 1. It was a convincing look. Jesus turned and looked upon him, as if he should say, Dost thou not know me, Peter? 2. It was a chiding look. Let us think with what a rebuking countenance Christ may justly look upon us when we have sinned. 3. It was an expostulating look. Thou who wast the most forward to confess me to be the Son of God, and didst solemnly promise thou wouldest never disown me! 4. It was a compassionate look. Peter, how art thou fallen and undone if I do not help thee! 5. It was a directing look, to go and bethink himself. 6. It was a significant look; it signified the conveying of grace to Peter's heart, to enable him to repent. The grace of God works in and by the word of God, brings that to mind, and sets that home upon the conscience, and so gives the soul the happy turn. Christ looked upon the chief priests, and made no impression upon them as he did on Peter. It was not the mere look from Christ, but the Divine grace with it, that restored Peter.

Verses 63-71 Those that condemned Jesus for a blasphemer, were the vilest blasphemers. He referred them to his second coming, for the full proof of his being the Christ, to their confusion, since they would not admit the proof of it to their conviction. He owns himself to be the Son of God, though he knew he should suffer for it. Upon this they ground his condemnation. Their eyes being blinded, they rush on. Let us meditate on this amazing transaction, and consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.