Luke 22

1 The Festival of Unleavened Bread, called Passover, was near.

2 The chief priests and the scribes were looking for some way to kill Jesus. However, they were afraid of the people.

3 Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles.

4 Judas went to the chief priests and the temple guards and discussed with them how he could betray Jesus.

5 They were pleased and agreed to give him some money.

6 So Judas promised to do it. He kept looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them when there was no crowd.

7 The day came during the Festival of Unleavened Bread when the Passover lamb had to be killed.

8 Jesus sent Peter and John and told them, "Go, prepare the Passover lamb for us to eat."

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

10 He told them, "Go into the city, and you will meet a man carrying a jug of water. Follow him into the house he enters.

11 Tell the owner of the house that the teacher asks, 'Where is the room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?'

12 He will take you upstairs and show you a large furnished room. Get things ready there."

13 The disciples left. They found everything as Jesus had told them and prepared the Passover.

14 When it was time to eat the Passover meal, Jesus and the apostles were at the table.

15 Jesus said to them, "I've had a deep desire to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

16 I can guarantee that I won't eat it again until it finds its fulfillment in the kingdom of God."

17 Then he took a cup and spoke a prayer of thanksgiving. He said, "Take this, and share it.

18 I can guarantee that from now on I won't drink this wine until the kingdom of God comes."

19 Then Jesus took bread and spoke a prayer of thanksgiving. He broke the bread, gave it to them, and said, "This is my body, which is given up for you. Do this to remember me."

20 When supper was over, he did the same with the cup. He said, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new promise made with my blood."

21 "The hand of the one who will betray me is with me on the table.

22 The Son of Man is going to die the way it has been planned for him. But how horrible it will be for that person who betrays him."

23 So they began to discuss with each other who could do such a thing.

24 Then a quarrel broke out among the disciples. They argued about who should be considered the greatest.

25 Jesus said to them, "The kings of nations have power over their people, and those in authority call themselves friends of the people.

26 But you're not going to be that way! Rather, the greatest among you must be like the youngest, and your leader must be like a servant.

27 Who's the greatest, the person who sits at the table or the servant? Isn't it really the person who sits at the table? But I'm among you as a servant.

28 "You have stood by me in the troubles that have tested me.

29 So as my Father has given me a kingdom, I'm giving it to you.

30 You will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. You will also sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel."

31 [Then the Lord said,] "Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to have you apostles for himself. He wants to separate you from me as a farmer separates wheat from husks.

32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. So when you recover, strengthen the other disciples."

33 But Peter said to him, "Lord, I'm ready to go to prison with you and to die with you."

34 Jesus replied, "Peter, I can guarantee that the rooster won't crow tonight until you say three times that you don't know me."

35 Then Jesus said to them, "When I sent you out without a wallet, traveling bag, or sandals, you didn't lack anything, did you?" "Not a thing!" they answered.

36 Then he said to them, "But now, the person who has a wallet and a traveling bag should take them along. The person who doesn't have a sword should sell his coat and buy one.

37 I can guarantee that the Scripture passage which says, 'He was counted with criminals,' must find its fulfillment in me. Indeed, whatever is written about me will come true."

38 The disciples said, "Lord, look! Here are two swords!" Then Jesus said to them, "That's enough!"

39 Jesus went out [of the city] to the Mount of Olives as he usually did. His disciples followed him.

40 When he arrived, he said to them, "Pray that you won't be tempted."

41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed,

42 "Father, if it is your will, take this cup [of suffering] away from me. However, your will must be done, not mine."

43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength.

44 So he prayed very hard in anguish. His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.

45 When Jesus ended his prayer, he got up and went to the disciples. He found them asleep and overcome with sadness.

46 He said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up, and pray that you won't be tempted."

47 While he was still speaking to the disciples, a crowd arrived. The man called Judas, one of the twelve apostles, was leading them. He came close to Jesus to kiss him.

48 Jesus said to him, "Judas, do you intend to betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"

49 The men who were with Jesus saw what was going to happen. So they asked him, "Lord, should we use our swords to fight?"

50 One of the disciples cut off the right ear of the chief priest's servant.

51 But Jesus said, "Stop! That's enough of this." Then he touched the servant's ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple guards, and leaders who had come for him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a criminal?

53 I was with you in the temple courtyard every day and you didn't try to arrest me. But this is your time, when darkness rules."

54 So they arrested Jesus and led him away to the chief priest's house. Peter followed at a distance.

55 Some men had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard. As they sat together, Peter sat among them.

56 A female servant saw him as he sat facing the glow of the fire. She stared at him and said, "This man was with Jesus."

57 But Peter denied it by saying, "I don't know him, woman."

58 A little later someone else saw Peter and said, "You are one of them." But Peter said, "Not me!"

59 About an hour later another person insisted, "It's obvious that this man was with him. He's a Galilean!"

60 But Peter said, "I don't know what you're talking about!" Just then, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.

61 Then the Lord turned and looked directly at Peter. Peter remembered what the Lord had said: "Before a rooster crows today, you will say three times that you don't know me."

62 Then Peter went outside and cried bitterly.

63 The men who were guarding Jesus made fun of him as they beat him.

64 They blindfolded him and said to him, "Tell us who hit you."

65 They also insulted him in many other ways.

66 In the morning the council of the people's leaders, the chief priests and the scribes, gathered together. They brought Jesus in front of their highest court and asked him,

67 "Tell us, are you the Messiah?" Jesus said to them, "If I tell you, you won't believe me.

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

69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be in the highest position in heaven."

70 Then all of them said, "So you're the Son of God?" Jesus answered them, "You're right to say that I am."

71 Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We've heard him say it ourselves."

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.