Luke 22

Judas Agrees to Hand Jesus Over

1 The Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was near.

2 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for a way to get rid of Jesus. They were afraid of the people.

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

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

5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money.

6 Judas accepted their offer. He watched for the right time to hand Jesus over to them. He wanted to do it when no crowd was around.

The Last Supper

7 Then the day of Unleavened Bread came. That was the time the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.

8 Jesus sent Peter and John on ahead. "Go," he told them. "Prepare for us to eat the Passover meal."

9 "Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked.

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

11 Then say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks, "Where is the guest room? Where can I eat the Passover meal with my disciples?" '

12 He will show you a large upstairs room with furniture in it. Prepare for us to eat there."

13 Peter and John left. They found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover meal.

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles took their places at the table.

15 He said to them, "I have really looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you. I wanted to do this before I suffer.

16 I tell you, I will not eat the Passover meal again until it is celebrated in God's kingdom."

17 After Jesus took the cup, he gave thanks. He said, "Take this cup and share it among yourselves.

18 I tell you, I will not drink wine with you again until God's kingdom comes."

19 Then Jesus took bread. He gave thanks and broke it. He handed it to them and said, "This is my body. It is given for you. Every time you eat it, do it in memory of me."

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup. He said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. It is poured out for you.

21 But someone here is going to hand me over to my enemies. His hand is with mine on the table.

22 The Son of Man will go to his death, just as God has already decided. But how terrible it will be for the one who hands him over!"

23 The apostles began to ask each other about this. They wondered which one of them would do it.

24 They also started to argue. They disagreed about which of them was thought to be the most important person.

25 Jesus said to them, "The kings of the nations hold power over their people. And those who order them around call themselves Protectors.

26 But you must not be like that. Instead, the most important among you should be like the youngest. The one who rules should be like the one who serves.

27 "Who is more important? Is it the one at the table, or the one who serves? Isn't it the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

28 You have stood by me during my troubles.

29 And I give you a kingdom, just as my Father gave me a kingdom.

30 Then you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.

31 "Simon, Simon! Satan has asked to sift you disciples like wheat.

32 But I have prayed for you, Simon. I have prayed that your faith will not fail. When you have turned back, help your brothers to be strong."

33 But Simon replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."

34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, you will say three times that you don't know me. And you will do it before the rooster crows today."

35 Then Jesus asked the disciples, "Did you need anything when I sent you without a purse, bag or sandals?" "Nothing," they answered.

36 He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it. And also take a bag. If you don't have a sword, sell your coat and buy one.

37 It is written, 'He was counted among those who had committed crimes.'(Isaiah 53:12) I tell you that what is written about me must come true. Yes, it is already coming true."

38 The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied.

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives. His disciples followed him.

40 When they reached the place, Jesus spoke. "Pray that you won't fall into sin when you are tempted," he said to them.

41 Then he went a short distance away from them. There he got down on his knees and prayed.

42 He said, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup of suffering away from me. But do what you want, not what I want."

43 An angel from heaven appeared to Jesus and gave him strength.

44 Because he was very sad and troubled, he prayed even harder. His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

45 After that, he got up from prayer and went back to the disciples. He found them sleeping. They were worn out because they were very sad.

46 "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up! Pray that you won't fall into sin when you are tempted."

Jesus Is Arrested

47 While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd came up. The man named Judas was leading them. He was one of the Twelve. Judas approached Jesus to kiss him.

48 But Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you handing over the Son of Man with a kiss?"

49 Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen. So they said, "Lord, should we use our swords against them?"

50 One of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered, "Stop this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus spoke to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders. They had all come for him. "Am I leading a band of armed men against you?" he asked. "Do you have to come with swords and clubs?

53 Every day I was with you in the temple courtyard. And you didn't lay a hand on me. But this is your hour. This is when darkness rules."

Peter Says He Does Not Know Jesus

54 Then the men arrested Jesus and led him away. They took him into the high priest's house. Peter followed from far away.

55 They started a fire in the middle of the courtyard. Then they sat down together. Peter sat down with them.

56 A female servant saw him sitting there in the firelight. She looked closely at him. Then she said, "This man was with Jesus."

57 But Peter said he had not been with him. "Woman, I don't know him," he said.

58 A little later someone else saw Peter. "You also are one of them," he said. "No," Peter replied. "I'm not!"

59 About an hour later, another person spoke up. "This fellow must have been with Jesus," he said. "He is from Galilee."

60 Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.

61 The Lord turned and looked right at Peter. Then Peter remembered what the Lord had spoken to him. "The rooster will crow today," Jesus had said. "Before it does, you will say three times that you don't know me."

62 Peter went outside. He broke down and sobbed.

The Guards Make Fun of Jesus

63 There were men guarding Jesus. They began laughing at him and beating him.

64 They blindfolded him. They said, "Prophesy! Who hit you?"

65 They also said many other things to make fun of him.

Jesus Is Brought to Pilate and Herod

66 At dawn the elders of the people met together. These included the chief priests and the teachers of the law. Jesus was led to them.

67 "If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us." Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me.

68 And if I asked you, you would not answer.

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

70 They all asked, "Are you the Son of God then?" He replied, "You are right in saying that I am."

71 Then they said, "Why do we need any more witnesses? We have heard it from his own lips."

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.