Luke 22

The Chief Priests and Scribes Plot to Kill Jesus

1 Now the feast of Unleavened Bread (which is called Passover) was drawing near.

2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they could destroy him, because they were afraid of the people.

Judas Arranges to Betray Jesus

3 And Satan entered into Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.

4 And he went away [and] discussed with the chief priests and officers of the temple guard how he could betray him to them.

5 And they were delighted, and came to an agreement with him to give [him] money.

6 And he agreed, and began looking for a favorable opportunity to betray him to them apart from the crowd.

Jesus’ Final Passover with the Disciples

7 And the day of the feast of Unleavened Bread came, on which it was necessary [for] the Passover lamb to be sacrificed.

8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, "Go [and] prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat [it].

9 So they said to him, "Where do you want us to prepare [it]?"

10 And he said to them, "Behold, [when] you have entered into the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters.

11 And you will say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?" '

12 And he will show you a large furnished upstairs room. Make preparations there."

13 So they went [and] found [everything] just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

The Lord’s Supper

14 And when the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him.

15 And he said to them, "{I have earnestly desired} to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

16 For I tell you that I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."

17 And he took in hand a cup, [and] [after] giving thanks he said, "Take this and share [it] among yourselves.

18 For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the product of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

19 And he took bread, [and] [after] 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 And in the same way the cup after [they] had eaten, saying, "This cup [is] the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for you.

21 "But behold, the hand of the one who is betraying me [is] with me on the table!

22 For the Son of Man is going according to what has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!"

23 And they began to debate with one another who then of them it could be who was going to do this.

A Dispute About Who Is Greatest

24 And a dispute also occurred among them as to which of them was recognized as being greatest.

25 So he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called benefactors.

26 But you [are] not [to be] like this! But the one who is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves.

27 For who [is] greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? [Is it] not the one who reclines at the table? But I am in your midst as the one who serves.

28 "And you are the ones who have remained with me in my trials,

29 and I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred on me,

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

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat,

32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. And you, [when] once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

33 But he said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!"

34 And he said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times [that you] know me!"

The Two Swords

35 And he said to them, "When I sent you out without a money bag and a traveler's bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, [did you]?" And they said, "Nothing."

36 And he said to them, "But now the one who has a money bag must take [it], and likewise a traveler's bag. And the one who does not have a sword must sell his cloak and buy [one].

37 For I tell you that this that is written must be fulfilled in me: 'And he was counted with the criminals.' For indeed, [what is written] about me {is being fulfilled}."

38 So they said, "Lord, behold, here [are] two swords!" And he said to them, "It is adequate."

The Prayer in Gethsemane

39 And he went away [and] proceeded, according to [his] custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples also followed him.

40 And [when] he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not enter into temptation."

41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw and {knelt down} [and] began to pray,

42 saying, "Father, if you are willing, take away this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done." [[

43 And an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him.

44 And being in anguish, he began praying more fervently and his sweat became like drops of blood falling down to the ground.]]

45 And [when he] got up from the prayer [and] came to the disciples, he found them sleeping from sorrow,

46 and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up [and] pray that you will not enter into temptation!"

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47 [While] he was still speaking, behold, [there came] a crowd, and the one named Judas, one of the twelve, leading them. And he approached Jesus to kiss him.

48 But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"

49 And [when] those around him saw what was about to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?"

50 And a certain one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered [and] said, "{Stop! No more of this!}" And he touched [his] ear [and] healed him.

52 And Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come out against him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs, as against a robber?

53 Every day [when] I was with you in the temple [courts], you did not stretch out [your] hands against me! But this is your hour and the domain of darkness!"

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

54 And they arrested him [and] led [him] away and brought [him] into the house of the high priest. But Peter was following at a distance.

55 And [when they] had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.

56 And a certain female slave, seeing him sitting in the light and looking intently at him, said, "This man also was with him!"

57 But he denied [it], saying, "Woman, I do not know him!"

58 And after a short time another person saw him [and] said, "You also are [one] of them!" But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"

59 And [after] about one hour had passed, someone else was insisting, saying, "In truth this man also was with him, because he is also a Galilean!"

60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about!" And immediately, [while] he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.

61 And the Lord turned around [and] looked intently at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he said to him, "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times."

62 And he went outside [and] wept bitterly.

63 And the men who were guarding him began to mock him [while] they beat [him],

64 and [after] blindfolding him they repeatedly asked [him], saying, "Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?"

65 And they were saying many other [things] against him, reviling [him].

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

66 And when day came, the council of elders of the people gathered, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away to their Sanhedrin,

67 saying, "If you are the Christ, tell us!" But he said to them, "If I tell you, you will never believe,

68 and if I ask [you], you will never answer!

69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God."

70 So they all said, "Are you then the Son of God?" And he said to them, "You say that I am."

71 And they said, "Why do we have need [of] further testimony? For [we] ourselves have heard [it] from his mouth!"

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("went away") has been translated as a finite verb
• [b]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [c]. *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here ("began looking")
• [d]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("go") has been translated as a finite verb
• [e]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [f]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [g]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("have entered")
• [h]. Or perhaps "paved" or "panelled"
• [i]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("went") has been translated as a finite verb
• [j]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [k]. Literally "I have desired with desire"
• [l]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("took in hand") has been translated as a finite verb
• [m]. *Here "[after]" is supplied as a component of the temporal participle ("giving thanks")
• [n]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [o]. Some manuscripts have "I tell you that"
• [p]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("took") has been translated as a finite verb
• [q]. *Here "[after]" is supplied as a component of the temporal participle ("giving thanks")
• [r]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [s]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [t]. The same Greek word can be translated "nations" or "Gentiles" depending on the context
• [u]. Or "ones who have continued"
• [v]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("have turned back") which is understood as temporal
• [w]. Or "have turned around"
• [x]. *The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by "[did you]"
• [y]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [z]. A quotation from Isa 53:12
• [aa]. *The phrase "[what is written]" is not in the Greek text but is an understood repetition of the similar phrase at the beginning of the verse
• [ab]. Literally "is having an end"
• [ac]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("went away") has been translated as a finite verb
• [ad]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [ae]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("came") which is understood as temporal
• [af]. Literally "bent his knees"
• [ag]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("knelt down"; literally "bent his knees") has been translated as a finite verb
• [ah]. *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here ("began to pray")
• [ai]. *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here ("began praying")
• [aj]. A number of early and important Greek manuscripts lack verses 43 and 44
• [ak]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("got up") which is understood as temporal
• [al]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the participle ("came") has been translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style
• [am]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("get up") has been translated as a finite verb
• [an]. *Here "[while]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("speaking")
• [ao]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("saw") which is understood as temporal
• [ap]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("answered") has been translated as a finite verb
• [aq]. Literally "leave off to this"
• [ar]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [as]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("touched") has been translated as a finite verb
• [at]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("was")
• [au]. *Here "[courts]" is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
• [av]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [aw]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("arrested") has been translated as a finite verb
• [ax]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [ay]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [az]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("had kindled") which is understood as temporal
• [ba]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [bb]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("saw") has been translated as a finite verb
• [bc]. *Here "[after]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("had passed")
• [bd]. *Here "[while]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("was speaking")
• [be]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("turned around") has been translated as a finite verb
• [bf]. Some manuscripts have "the Lord's statement"
• [bg]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("went") has been translated as a finite verb
• [bh]. *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here ("began to mock")
• [bi]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("beat") which is understood as temporal
• [bj]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [bk]. *Here "[after]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("blindfolding") which is understood as temporal
• [bl]. *This imperfect verb is translated as iterative ("repeatedly asked")
• [bm]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [bn]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [bo]. Or "council"
• [bp]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [bq]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation