Lukas 22

1 2 And the Chag HaMatzot was approaching, the feast called Pesach.

2 And the Rashei Hakohanim and the Sofrim were seeking how they might destroy him, for they were afraid of the people.

3 And Hasatan entered into Yehudah, the one being called Yehudah from Kriot, being one of the Shneym Asar.

4 And having departed, Yehudah spoke with the Rashei Hakohanim and Ketzinim (Officers) of the Beis Hamikdash how he might hand him over to them.

5 And they got a lot of geshmak out of this, and they agreed to pay him kesef. [ZECHARYAH 11:12]

6 And Yehudah consented and he was seeking an opportunity to betray him when there was no multitude with them.

7 Shoin (already) now came the Yom HaMatzot, in which it was necessary to sacrifice the Pesach Korban, the Seh (Lamb, Isa 53:7). [Ex 12:18-20; Dt 16:58]

8 And he sent Kefa and Yochanan, having said, Go and make our preparations that we may eat and have the Pesach Seder.

9 And they said to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, Where do you wish that we should prepare it?

10 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to them, Hinei. When you enter into HaIr, you will meet a man carrying a jar of mayim. Follow him into the bais (house) into which he enters,

11 And you will say to the Baal Bayit, The Rebbe says to you, Where is the mekom linah (guest room) where I may conduct the Pesach Seder with my talmidim?

12 And that one will show you a large aliyyah having been furnished: there prepare the Seder.

13 And having departed, they found things just as he had told them, and they prepared the Seder.

14 And when the hour came, he reclined at tish and the Moshiach’s Shlichim were with him.

15 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to them, With great tshuka (deep and sincere desire, longing) I have desired to eat this Pesach with you before I suffer.

16 For I say to you, I may by no means eat it until it is fulfilled in the Malchut Hashem.

17 And having taken the Cup of Redemption, having made the bracha, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said, Take this, and share it among yourselves.

18 For I say to you, from now on by no means shall I drink from the p’ri hagefen until the Malchut Hashem comes.

19 And having taken the Afikoman and having made the hamotzi, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach broke the matzah and gave it to them, saying, This is my BASAR (SHEMOT 12:8) being given for you: this do in zikaron (remembrance) of me. [Lv 5:7; 6:23; Ezek 43:21; Isa 53:8]

20 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach took the kos (cup) similarly after they ate, saying, This kos (cup) is HaBrit HaChadasha in my dahm, being shed for you. [Ex 24:8; Isa 42:6; Jer 31:31-34; Zech 9:11; 53:10-12]

21 Nevertheless, hinei, the hand of the one betraying me is with me on the tish (table) [TEHILLIM 41:9]

22 Because the Ben HaAdam (Moshiach, DANIEL 7:13-14) indeed goes according to the thing having been determined: but oy to that man through whom he is betrayed.

23 And they began to discuss among themselves who then it might be among them that would do this.

24 And there came about also a dispute among them, as to which of them seemed to be the Gadol.

25 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to them, The melachim (kings) of the Goyim domineer them and the ones having shlita (control) over the Goyim are called benefactors.

26 But with you it is not so, but he of the Gedolim among you, let him be as the youngest, and he of the Manhigim, as the one serving.

27 For who is HaGadol? The one reclining at tish or the one serving? Is it not the one reclining at tish? But I am in your midst as one serving.

28 But you are the ones having remained with me in my nisyonos (temptations).

29 And I assign shlita (authority) to you, just as Avi assigned shlita to me; a Malchut (Kingdom),

30 That you may eat and drink at my tish in my Malchut, and you will sit upon kissot (thrones) judging the Shneym Asar Shivtei Yisroel (Twelve Tribes of Yisroel).

31 Shimon, Shimon, hinei, Hasatan asked for you, to sift you like wheat [IYOV 1:6-12; AMOS 9:9]

32 But I davened for you, that your emunah may not fail: and when you have made teshuva, give chizzuk to your Achim bMoshiach.

33 But Shimon Kefa said to him, Adoni, with you I am prepared even to go to the beis hasohar, even to die al kiddush ha-Shem.

34 But Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said, I say to you, a tarnegol will not crow hayom until shalosh paamim you, Kefa, will make hakhchashah (denial) of your daas of me.

35 He said to them, When I sent you without a money belt and a bag and sandals, did you lack anything? And they said, Nothing.

36 Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to them, But now the one having a money belt, let him take it; likewise also a bag; and the one not having, let him sell his kaftan and let him buy a cherev.

37 For I say to you, that it is necessary that what stands written be fulfilled in me, VES POSHEIM NIMNAH (and with lawless persons he was numbered YESHAYAH 53:12). For indeed what was written about me is being fulfilled.

38 And they said, Adoni, hinei, here are shtei charavot (two swords). And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to them, It is enough.

39 And having gone out, he went according to his kvius (regimen) to the Har HaZeytim, and his talmidim followed him also.

40 And having come to the place, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to them, Daven and offer tefillos, lest you enter lidey nisayon (into temptation, Mt.6:13).

41 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach had withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and, having fallen down, he was davening,

42 Saying, Avi, im yirtzeh Hashem, if You are willing, take this kos (cup) away from me. Nevertheless not the ratzon of me but rtzonechah (Thy will) be done. (Mt. 6:10)

43 And a malach min HaShomayim appeared to him, strengthening him.

44 And having been in agony, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was davening more fervently; and his sweat became like drops of dahm falling down upon the adamah.

45 And having got up from davening and having come to the talmidim, he found them sleeping, because of agmat nefesh (grief).

46 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to them, Why are you sleeping? Get up, daven, lest you enter lidey nisayon (into temptation).

47 Yet as he was speaking, hinei, a multitude! And going at their head was the one being called Yehudah, one of the Shneym Asar, and he drew near to Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach to give him a neshikah (kiss).

48 And Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach said to him, Yehudah, do you with a neshikah the Ben HaAdam (Moshiach, DANIEL 7:13-14) betray?

49 But having seen what was coming, the ones around Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said, Adoni, should we strike with the cherev (sword)?

50 And a certain one of them struck the eved (servant) of the Rashei Hakohanim and cut off his right ear.

51 And, in reply, Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach said, Blaib shtein! (Stop!) No more of this! And having touched the ear, he healed him.

52 And Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach said to the ones having come against him, the Rashei Hakohanim and the Beis Hamikdash shomrim and the Ziknei HaAm, Do you have the chutzpah to come out as against a ganav (thief) with charavot and clubs?

53 Yom Yom (Daily) I was with you in the Beis Hamikdash and you did not stretch out your hands against me, but this is your hour and the shlita of choshech (power of evil, sitra ahra).

54 And having seized Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, they led him away and brought him into the bais of the Rashei Hakohanim. And Kefa was following from a distance.

55 And some kindled a hadlakah (bonfire) in the middle of the courtyard, and having sat down together, Kefa was sitting in their midst.

56 And a certain shifcha, seeing him sitting in the light of the hadlakah (bonfire), staring intently at Kefa, said, And this one was with him.

57 But Kefa denied it, saying, I do not have daas of him, isha.

58 And after a short while, another, having seen him, said, And you are of them! But Kefa said, Man, I am not!

59 And about one hour had passed, and still another was insisting, saying, Beemes (in actuality) this one was with him also, for he also is a Gelili (inhabitant of the Galil)!

60 But Kefa said, Ben Adam, I do not have daas what you are saying. And immediately, while Kefa was speaking, a tarnegol crowed.

61 And having turned, Adoneinu looked at Kefa, and Kefa was reminded of the dvar of Moshiach Adoneinu when he said to him, Before the tarnegol crows hayom (today) you will make hakhchashah (denial) of me shalosh paamim.

62 And having gone outside Kefa wept bitterly.

63 And the men, the ones having Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach in custody, were ridiculing and beating him.

64 And having blindfolded him, they were setting a she’elah in front of him, saying, Give a dvar nevuah, who is the one having given you a klap (blow)?

65 And with much other Chillul Hashem gadfanut they were speaking against Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.

66 And when boker came, the Ziknei HaAm were gathered together, both the Rashei Hakohanim and the Sofrim, and they led him away to their Sanhedrin,

67 Saying, If you are the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach, tell us. But he said to them, If I say this to you, you will by no means have emunah.

68 And if I set a she’elah before you, you will by no means give answer.

69 But from now on the Ben HaAdam (Moshiach, DANIEL 7:13-14) will be YOSHEV LIMIN as the gevurat Hashem. (TEHILLIM 110:1)

70 And everyone said, Then you are the Ben HaElohim? Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said, You are saying that I am.

71 And to them they said, Why still do we have need of an eidus (witness)? For we ourselves heard from his peh (mouth).

Lukas 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.