Luke 22

Preparing the Passover

1 ¹Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the ²Passover, was approaching.

2 The chief priests and the scribes ³were seeking how they might put Him to death; for they were afraid of the people.

3 ⁴And ⁵Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging * to the number of the twelve.

4 And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and ⁶officers how he might betray Him to them.

5 They were glad and agreed to give him money.

6 So he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the crowd.

7 ⁷Then came the first day of Unleavened Bread on which ⁸the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.

8 And Jesus sent ⁹Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it."

9 They said to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare it?"

10 And He said to them, "When you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters.

11 "And you shall say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?"'

12 "And he will show you a large, furnished upper room; prepare it there."

13 And they left and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

The Lord's Supper

14 ¹⁰When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and ¹¹the 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 say to you, I shall never * again eat it ¹²until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."

17 ¹³And when He had taken a cup and ¹⁴given thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves;

18 for ¹⁵I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes."

19 And when He had taken some bread and ¹⁶given 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 He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is ¹⁷poured out for you is the ¹⁸new covenant in My blood.

21 "¹⁹But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table.

22 "For indeed, the Son of Man is going ²⁰as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!"

23 And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing.

Who Is Greatest

24 And there arose also ²¹a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.

25 ²²And 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 it is not this way with you, ²³but the one who is the greatest among you must become like ²⁴the youngest, and the leader like the servant.

27 "For ²⁵who 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 ²⁶I am among * you as the one who serves.

28 "You are those who have stood by Me in My ²⁷trials;

29 and just as My Father has granted Me a ²⁸kingdom, I grant you

30 that you may ²⁹eat and drink at My table in My ³⁰kingdom, and ³¹you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

31 "Simon, Simon, behold, ³²Satan has demanded permission to ³³sift you like wheat;

32 but I ³⁴have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, ³⁵strengthen your brothers."

33 ³⁶But he said to Him, "Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!"

34 And He said, "I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me."

35 And He said to them, "³⁷When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?" They said, "No, nothing."

36 And He said to them, "But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.

37 "For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, '³⁸AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS '; for ³⁹that which refers to Me has its fulfillment."

38 They said, "Lord, look, here are two ⁴⁰swords." And He said to them, "It is enough."

The Garden of Gethsemane

39 ⁴¹And He came out and proceeded ⁴²as was His custom to ⁴³the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him.

40 ⁴⁴When He arrived at the place, He said to them, "⁴⁵Pray that you may not enter into temptation."

41 And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He ⁴⁶knelt * down * and began to pray,

42 saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this ⁴⁷cup from Me; ⁴⁸yet not My will, but Yours be done."

43 Now an ⁴⁹angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.

44 And ⁵⁰being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.

45 When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow,

46 and said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and ⁵¹pray that you may not enter into temptation."

Jesus Betrayed by Judas

47 ⁵²While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding 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 When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the ⁵³sword?"

50 And 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 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and ⁵⁴officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs ⁵⁵as you would against a robber?

53 "While I was with you daily * in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours."

Jesus' Arrest

54 ⁵⁶Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but ⁵⁷Peter was following at a distance.

55 ⁵⁸After they had kindled a fire in the middle of ⁵⁹the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them.

56 And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, "This man was with Him too."

57 But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."

58 A little later, ⁶⁰another saw him and said, "You are one of them too!" But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"

59 After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, "Certainly * this man also was with Him, ⁶¹for he is a Galilean too."

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

61 ⁶²The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "⁶³Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times."

62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

63 ⁶⁴Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking Him and beating Him,

64 and they blindfolded Him and were asking Him, saying, "⁶⁵Prophesy, who is the one who hit You?"

65 And they were saying many other things against Him, ⁶⁶blaspheming.

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

66 ⁶⁷When it was day, ⁶⁸the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their ⁶⁹council chamber, saying,

67 "⁷⁰If You are the Christ, tell us." But He said to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe;

68 and if I ask a question, you will not answer.

69 "⁷¹But from now on ⁷²THE SON OF MAN WILL BE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND of the power OF GOD."

70 And they all said, "Are You ⁷³the Son of God, then?" And He said to them, "⁷⁴Yes, I am."

71 Then they said, "What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth."

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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.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Cross References 74

1. Luke 22:1, 2: {Matthew 26:2-5; Mark 14:1, 2;} Exodus 12:1-27
2. John 11:55; John 13:1
3. Matthew 12:14
4. Luke 22:3-6: {Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10, 11}
5. Matthew 4:10; John 13:2, 27
6. 1 Chronicles 9:11; Nehemiah 11:11; Luke 22:52; Acts 4:1; Acts 5:24, 26
7. Luke 22:7-13: {Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16}
8. Mark 14:12
9. Acts 3:1, 11; Acts 4:13, 19; Acts 8:14; Galatians 2:9
10. Matthew 26:20; Mark 14:17
11. Mark 6:30
12. Luke 14:15; Luke 22:18, 30; Revelation 19:9
13. Luke 22:17-20: {Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25;} 1 Corinthians 10:16
14. Matthew 14:19
15. Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25
16. Matthew 14:19
17. Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24
18. Exodus 24:8; Jeremiah 31:31; 1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 8:8, 13; Hebrews 9:15
19. Luke 22:21-23: {Matthew 26:21-24; Mark 14:18-21;} Psalms 41:9; John 13:18, 21, 22, 26
20. Acts 2:23; Acts 4:28; Acts 10:42; Acts 17:31
21. Mark 9:34; Luke 9:46
22. Luke 22:25-27: {Matthew 20:25-28; Mark 10:42-45}
23. Matthew 23:11; Mark 9:35; Luke 9:48
24. 1 Peter 5:5
25. Luke 12:37
26. Matthew 20:28; John 13:12-15
27. Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15
28. Matthew 5:3; 2 Timothy 2:12
29. Luke 22:16
30. Matthew 5:3; 2 Timothy 2:12
31. Matthew 19:28
32. Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-6; Matthew 4:10
33. Amos 9:9
34. John 17:9, 15
35. John 21:15-17
36. Luke 22:33, 34: {Matthew 26:33-35; Mark 14:29-31; John 13:37, 38}
37. Matthew 10:9; Mark 6:8; Luke 9:3f; Luke 10:4
38. Isaiah 53:12
39. John 17:4; John 19:30
40. Luke 22:36, 49
41. Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; John 18:1
42. Luke 21:37
43. Matthew 21:1
44. Luke 22:40-46: {Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42}
45. Matthew 6:13; Luke 22:46
46. Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:35; Luke 18:11
47. Matthew 20:22
48. Matthew 26:39
49. Matthew 4:11
50. Hebrews 5:7
51. Luke 22:40
52. Luke 22:47-53: {Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-50; John 18:3-11}
53. Luke 22:38
54. Luke 22:4
55. Luke 22:37
56. Matthew 26:57; Mark 14:53
57. Matthew 26:58; Mark 14:54; John 18:15
58. Luke 22:55-62: {Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; John 18:16-18, 25-27}
59. Matthew 26:3
60. John 18:26
61. Matthew 26:73; Mark 14:70
62. Luke 7:13
63. Luke 22:34
64. Matthew 26:67; Mark 14:65; John 18:22
65. Matthew 26:68; Mark 14:65
66. Matthew 27:39
67. Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1; John 18:28
68. Acts 22:5
69. Matthew 5:22
70. Matthew 26:63-66; Mark 14:61-63; Luke 22:67-71; John 18:19-21
71. Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:62; Mark 16:19
72. Psalms 110:1
73. Matthew 4:3
74. Matthew 26:64; Matthew 27:11; Luke 23:3