Luke 22

Luke 22 recounts the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion, beginning with the plot to betray Him, the Last Supper, His predictions of betrayal and Peter's denial, and His time of prayer and anguish in Gethsemane. The chapter continues with His arrest, Peter's denial, and the mockery and trial before the Sanhedrin. This pivotal chapter highlights themes of sacrifice, betrayal, and the fulfillment of prophecy as Jesus prepares to complete His earthly mission.

Luke 22:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover.
2 And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, or Passover, was a significant time in Jewish tradition, commemorating the Israelites' liberation from Egypt. Here, we see the religious leaders plotting to kill Jesus, but they are cautious due to Jesus' popularity with the people. This sets the stage for the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, showing the tension between Jesus’ growing influence and the authorities’ determination to eliminate Him.

Luke 22:3-6 (NKJV)
3 Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.
4 So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.
5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.
6 So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.

Judas Iscariot’s betrayal is depicted as a moment influenced by Satan, indicating the spiritual weight of this act. Judas, one of the chosen twelve, agrees to hand Jesus over for money, highlighting his betrayal's depth. The religious leaders are pleased with Judas’s offer, seizing the opportunity to capture Jesus without causing public unrest. This passage reveals the lengths they were willing to go to eliminate Jesus, even using one of His close followers.

Luke 22:7-13 (NKJV)
7 Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed.
8 And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”
9 So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?”
10 And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters.
11 Then you shall 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 Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.”
13 So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.

Jesus instructs Peter and John to prepare the Passover, demonstrating His careful planning even in the face of impending betrayal. His precise directions to find the room highlight His foreknowledge and control over the situation, suggesting that all events are unfolding according to God’s plan. The preparation of the Passover meal, traditionally a time of remembrance for Israel’s deliverance, foreshadows the new covenant Jesus will establish.

Luke 22:14-20 (NKJV)
14 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.
15 Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;
16 for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves;
18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.”

During the pivotal moment of the Last Supper, Jesus shares a deeply significant meal with His disciples, marking a transition from the traditional Passover to the establishment of a new covenant through His impending sacrifice. He expresses a fervent desire to share this meal before His suffering, highlighting the urgency and importance of what He is about to impart. As He breaks the bread and distributes the wine, He assigns profound new meanings to these elements: the bread as His body and the wine as His blood, symbols not just of His physical sacrifice but of His life being poured out for many. These acts are not meant to be mere remembrances of His death; rather, they are invitations to experience and acknowledge the living presence of Christ within believers. When Jesus instructs them to "do this in remembrance of Me," He is calling them to a continuous, active engagement with His life-giving spirit—a tangible, communal experience that Christ’s life is within and sustaining each believer. This ongoing participation in communion thus becomes a vital act where the historical reality of Jesus' sacrifice converges with the present spiritual experience of His indwelling presence. The full spiritual reality of this new covenant, however, is actualized on the Day of Pentecost, when Jesus, having received the Spirit from the Father, pours out this Spirit upon His followers. From that day forward, the presence of God the Father and Jesus lives within believers, enabling them to not only recall His atoning death but also to genuinely encounter and manifest the life of Christ within them, thereby reinforcing the profound truth that Christ lives through His followers, empowering and transforming them in the here and now.

Luke 22:21-23 (NKJV)
21 But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table.
22 And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”
23 Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.

Jesus reveals that His betrayer is among the disciples, sparking confusion and concern among them. Although His betrayal is part of God's plan, Jesus still warns of the consequences for the betrayer, showing the gravity of Judas’s impending actions. This moment highlights the sorrow in knowing one of His close companions will turn against Him and the emotional weight Jesus carries as He approaches His sacrifice.

Luke 22:24-30 (NKJV)
24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’
26 But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.
27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.
28 But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.
29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me,
30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

In response to the disciples' dispute over greatness, Jesus teaches them about servant leadership. Instead of seeking power, He calls them to serve others, modeling His own life as one of humility and service. Jesus acknowledges their loyalty and promises them a place in His kingdom, where they will have roles of authority. This instruction underscores the value Jesus places on humility and the reward awaiting those who faithfully follow Him.

Luke 22:31-34 (NKJV)
31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”
34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

Jesus warns Peter of Satan’s desire to test him, but also offers reassurance, revealing that He has prayed for Peter’s faith. Despite Peter’s confident declaration of loyalty, Jesus foretells his denial, showing His understanding of human frailty. This passage highlights the struggle between faith and fear, and Jesus’s compassion in supporting Peter even in his moments of weakness.

Luke 22:35-38 (NKJV)
35 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.”
36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.
37 For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.”
38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

Jesus prepares His disciples for the challenges they will face after His departure by contrasting their past experiences with what is to come. He reminds them of how, during earlier missions, they lacked nothing despite carrying no provisions, as God provided for their needs. This was a lesson in faith and trust in divine care. Now, however, Jesus warns them that the world will become increasingly hostile, and they must be prepared, symbolized by taking a money bag, knapsack, and sword. These items are not primarily literal but represent spiritual preparation—trusting in God, grounding themselves in His Word (the "sword" as a symbol of the Word of God in Ephesians 6:17), and being equipped for the trials ahead. Jesus quotes Isaiah 53:12 to affirm that His mission as the suffering Messiah, who would be “numbered with the transgressors,” is being fulfilled. When the disciples present two physical swords, misunderstanding His statement, Jesus responds, “It is enough,” not as approval of their interpretation but as a dismissal of further discussion, knowing they still don’t fully grasp His spiritual message. He is not advocating violence but teaching that their real battles are spiritual, requiring faith, reliance on God, and readiness to endure persecution with the gospel as their ultimate weapon. Later, when Peter uses a sword to defend Jesus during His arrest, Jesus rebukes him, saying, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52), further clarifying that the use of physical violence is not part of His kingdom's mission.

Luke 22:39-43 (NKJV)
39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.
40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed,
42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.
44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.
46 Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”

Jesus retreats to the Garden of Gethsemane, carrying the overwhelming burden of the world’s sin. His agony is not born out of fear of physical pain but from the crushing thought that, by taking humanity’s sins upon Himself, He might face eternal separation from His Father. This was the ultimate sacrifice—the possibility of never again beholding His Father’s face, a prospect so agonizing that His sweat became like great drops of blood. Ellen White underscores this in The Desire of Ages, stating, "He feared that sin was so offensive to God that Their separation was to be eternal" (p. 753). Yet, despite the unimaginable anguish, Jesus submits to His Father’s will, demonstrating His boundless love and commitment to saving mankind, even at the cost of eternal loss. Since Jesus perfectly reflected the character of God the Father, this means the Almighty God, placed in the same situation, would also willingly give up everything—even eternal life—to save others. What an amazing love!

Luke 22:47-53 (NKJV)
47 And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.
48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”
50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
51 But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.
52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
53 When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Judas’s betrayal is signified by a kiss, a customary greeting, adding a painful irony. When the disciples respond with violence, Jesus intervenes, healing the injured servant, Malchus, showcasing His mercy even toward His captors. Jesus questions why they arrest Him in secrecy, noting the injustice in their methods. This moment emphasizes the darkness of the betrayal and contrasts Jesus’ peaceful, redemptive nature with the hostility of His enemies.

Luke 22:54-62 (NKJV)
54 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance.
55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.
56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.”
57 But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”
58 And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”
59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.”
60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Peter’s denial fulfills Jesus’ prediction, and his fear leads him to deny knowing Jesus three times. When the rooster crows, Peter recalls Jesus’ words, and Jesus’ look reminds him of his earlier confidence and failure. Overcome with guilt and remorse, Peter weeps bitterly. This episode reveals the struggle between fear and loyalty and foreshadows Peter’s eventual restoration, underscoring the theme of repentance and forgiveness.

Luke 22:63-65 (NKJV)
63 Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him.
64 And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?”
65 And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.

Jesus endures brutal mocking and physical abuse from His captors, who taunt Him to “prophesy” and identify His attackers while blindfolded. These acts of cruelty and blasphemy fulfill the prophecies of the suffering Messiah. This scene highlights the depth of humiliation and pain Jesus willingly endured, not for any crime, but as part of His redemptive mission, further underscoring His humility and strength.

Luke 22:66-71 (NKJV)
66 As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying,
67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe.
68 And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go.
69 Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.”
70 Then they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.”
71 And they said, “What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.”

At daybreak, Jesus is brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, where He is questioned about His identity as the Messiah. Jesus implies His divine authority by stating He will sit at God’s right hand, a claim that leads them to ask if He is the Son of God. His affirmative response gives the council what they see as grounds for blasphemy, setting the stage for their recommendation to crucify Him. This final interaction shows Jesus’ acknowledgment of His divine role and the council’s rejection of His claim, foreshadowing the events of His crucifixion.