Luke 22 · WEB
Aa

Luke 22

Judas agrees to betray Jesus

Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.

Satan entered into Judas, who was also called Iscariot, who was counted with the twelve. He went away and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them. They were glad, and agreed to give him money. He consented and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude.

As Passover approaches, the chief priests and scribes look for a way to kill Jesus without provoking the people. Satan enters Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who goes to the chief priests and the temple officers and agrees, for money, to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd is present.

What does this mean?

"Captains" (KJV) or "officers" were commanders of the temple guard, which kept order in the temple precincts. The meaning of "Iscariot" is uncertain; suggestions include "man from Kerioth," a town, and a word for "assassin."

Historical context

Passover, recalling the exodus from Egypt, was followed at once by the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:5–6), and in popular usage the names were interchangeable, as here. The festival swelled Jerusalem's population, and the Roman governor brought troops to the city, so the authorities feared a riot.

Why does it matter?

Satan's entry into Judas recalls the devil's departure "for a season" after the temptation (4:13); John's Gospel uses similar language (John 13:27). Luke does not say how much money was offered; Matthew names thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15).

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Preparing the Passover

The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”

They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare?”

He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters. Tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.”

They went, found things as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

On the day when the Passover lambs were sacrificed, Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare the meal. He tells them they will meet a man carrying a jar of water, who will lead them to a house where the owner will show them a large furnished upper room. They find everything as he said and prepare the Passover.

What does this mean?

A "pitcher" (KJV) is a jar. The "goodman of the house" (KJV) is the householder.

Historical context

Passover lambs were slaughtered in the temple in the afternoon and eaten that night, in groups, within the city. Carrying water jars was usually women's work, so a man doing it would stand out. Upper rooms were often used to receive guests.

Why does it matter?

Luke presents Jesus as knowing the arrangements in advance and in control of events. Mark, Matthew and Luke present the Last Supper as a Passover meal, while John places Jesus' death on the afternoon when the lambs were killed (John 19:14); historians debate how to relate the two chronologies.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

The Last Supper

When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles. He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in God’s Kingdom.” He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves, for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until God’s Kingdom comes.”

He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

At the meal, Jesus tells the apostles how much he has longed to eat this Passover with them before he suffers, and that he will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in God's kingdom. He shares a cup with them, then takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it and says it is his body given for them, to be done in memory of him. After supper he takes the cup and calls it the new covenant in his blood, poured out for them.

What does this mean?

"New testament" (KJV) means "new covenant," a binding relationship between God and his people, recalling Jeremiah 31:31–34. "In remembrance of me" uses the language of Passover, itself a memorial of the exodus.

Historical context

A Passover meal included several cups of wine, unleavened bread, lamb and bitter herbs, along with the retelling of the exodus, though how much of the later Jewish order of the meal was already in place is debated.

Why does it matter?

This meal is the origin of the Christian Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper. Churches understand it differently, for example as a real presence of Christ, a spiritual presence, or a memorial. Luke's wording is closest to Paul's account in 1 Corinthians 11:23–25, the earliest written record of it.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Told in three Gospels

How Luke tells it

Only Luke has two cups, one before the bread and one after supper, and Jesus' opening words of longing. Only Luke's Gospel has "this do in remembrance of me." Some ancient manuscripts lack verses 19b–20; most scholars accept them. Luke places the announcement of the betrayal after the meal, not before.

Betrayal foretold and a dispute about greatness

But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. The Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!”

They began to question among themselves which of them it was who would do this thing.

A dispute also arose among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so with you. Rather, the one who is greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

“But you are those who have continued with me in my trials. I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Jesus announces that the hand of his betrayer is with him on the table, and the disciples ask one another who it could be. Then they argue about which of them is the greatest. Jesus contrasts the kings of the nations, who lord it over their subjects and call themselves benefactors, with his followers, among whom the greatest must be like a servant, as he is among them. He promises those who have stood by him a place at his table and thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

What does this mean?

"Benefactors" was an official title claimed by Hellenistic kings and Roman patrons, who advertised their generosity to win loyalty. "Temptations" (KJV) here means trials.

Historical context

At a banquet, those reclining at table were served by slaves; status was displayed by who served whom.

Why does it matter?

Mark and Matthew place a similar dispute earlier, on the road (Mark 10:41–45); Luke sets it at the Last Supper, so that Jesus' teaching on service comes on the eve of his death. John's Gospel conveys the same lesson through Jesus washing the disciples' feet (John 13:1–17).

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Peter's denial foretold; the two swords

The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have all of you, that he might sift you as wheat, but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”

He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!”

He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times.”

He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, bag, and sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”

Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a bag. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ For that which concerns me is being fulfilled.”

They said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.” He said to them, “That is enough.”

Jesus tells Simon that Satan has asked to sift the disciples like wheat, but he has prayed that Simon's faith will not fail, and once Simon has turned back he must strengthen the others. When Peter insists he will go with him to prison and death, Jesus foretells that he will deny him three times before the rooster crows. Jesus then tells them that, unlike before, they should now take purse and bag and buy a sword; they show him two swords, and he says, "It is enough."

  • Scripture connection · Quotation · presented as fulfilled

    Luke 22:37 quotes Isaiah 53:12

    Therefore I will give him a portion with the great. He will divide the plunder with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was counted with the transgressors; yet he bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
    Isaiah 53:12 · WEB

    Jesus applies Isaiah's suffering servant, 'numbered with the transgressors', to himself on the night of his arrest.

What does this mean?

The KJV keeps a distinction lost in modern English: Satan desired to have "you" (plural, all the disciples), but Jesus prayed for "thee" (singular, Simon). Sifting wheat means shaking it to separate grain from chaff, an image of severe testing. "Converted" (KJV) means turned back.

Historical context

Travellers on the roads might carry short swords or knives for protection.

Why does it matter?

The saying about swords is much debated. Many interpreters take it figuratively, as a warning that the disciples now face hostility, and read "It is enough" as Jesus ending a conversation they have misunderstood; others take it more literally. At the arrest Jesus stops the use of the sword (22:51). The connection with Isaiah 53:12 is noted under Scripture connections.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives

He came out and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him. When he was at the place, he said to them, “Pray that you don’t enter into temptation.”

He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. Being in agony, he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.

When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Jesus goes, as was his habit, to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples follow. He tells them to pray that they will not enter into temptation, withdraws about a stone's throw, kneels and prays that the Father will take this cup from him, yet that the Father's will be done. An angel strengthens him; in anguish he prays more earnestly, and his sweat falls like drops of blood. He finds the disciples asleep from grief and urges them again to pray.

What does this mean?

The "cup" is a biblical image of suffering or of God's judgment that must be drunk (Isaiah 51:17). "Agony" means intense struggle or anguish. His sweat was "as it were" drops of blood, a comparison rather than a medical description.

Historical context

Verses 43–44, the angel and the bloody sweat, are missing from several important early manuscripts but present in others and known to second-century writers; scholars disagree about whether they are original.

Why does it matter?

Jesus does what he taught his disciples to pray for (11:4): he faces the time of testing in prayer.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Told in three Gospels

How Luke tells it

Luke names only "the mount of Olives," not Gethsemane, and does not single out Peter, James and John. Jesus prays once (Mark and Matthew: three times), kneeling rather than falling to the ground. Only Luke has the strengthening angel and the sweat like drops of blood, and says the disciples slept "for sorrow."

The arrest of Jesus

While he was still speaking, a crowd appeared. He who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

But Jesus answered, “Let me at least do this”—and he touched his ear and healed him. Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn’t stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

A crowd arrives led by Judas, who comes up to kiss Jesus; Jesus asks whether he betrays the Son of Man with a kiss. His followers ask whether they should fight, and one cuts off the right ear of the high priest's servant, but Jesus says to stop, touches the ear and heals it. He asks the chief priests, temple officers and elders why they come with swords and clubs as if against a bandit when he was with them daily in the temple, and says, "This is your hour, and the power of darkness."

What does this mean?

A kiss was a normal greeting from a disciple to his teacher. "Thief" (KJV) or "robber" (WEB) could also mean a bandit or insurgent.

Historical context

The arresting party was probably made up of temple guards acting for the chief priests. A night arrest avoided the crowds who listened to Jesus by day.

Why does it matter?

"The power of darkness" recalls the struggle with Satan that frames Luke's account of Jesus' death (4:13; 22:3, 31). Jesus heals even one who has come to arrest him, consistent with his teaching to love enemies (6:27).

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Told in all four Gospels

How Luke tells it

Only Luke has the disciples ask "shall we smite with the sword?" and tells of Jesus healing the ear. In Luke the chief priests themselves are present. Luke does not say the disciples fled (Mark, Matthew) and has no young man escaping naked (Mark). John names Peter as the swordsman and Malchus as the servant.

Peter denies Jesus

They seized him and led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed from a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat among them. A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, “This man also was with him.”

He denied Jesus, saying, “Woman, I don’t know him.”

After a little while someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them!” But Peter answered, “Man, I am not!”

After about one hour passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean!”

But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how he said to him, “Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.” He went out, and wept bitterly.

Jesus is taken to the high priest's house, and Peter follows at a distance and sits by a fire in the courtyard. A servant girl says he was with Jesus, and Peter denies knowing him; later two others say he is one of Jesus' followers, the second noting that he is a Galilean, and Peter denies it again. While he is still speaking, a rooster crows; the Lord turns and looks at Peter, who remembers Jesus' words, goes out and weeps bitterly.

What does this mean?

"Cock" (KJV) means rooster; cockcrow was also a name for the hours before dawn.

Historical context

Large houses were built around open courtyards where servants and guards could gather. Galileans had a recognisable accent (compare Matthew 26:73).

Why does it matter?

The look from Jesus is one of Luke's most poignant touches. Jesus' prayer that Peter's faith would not fail (22:32) is borne out: Peter becomes a leader of the church in Acts.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Told in all four Gospels

How Luke tells it

In Luke, Peter's denials all take place before any hearing, during the night in the courtyard, whereas Mark and Matthew interweave them with a night trial. In Luke the second and third accusers are men. Only Luke says the Lord turned and looked at Peter. The rooster crows once (Mark: twice).

Jesus before the council

The men who held Jesus mocked him and beat him. Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?” They spoke many other things against him, insulting him.

As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people were gathered together, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away into their council, saying, “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you won’t believe,

and if I ask, you will in no way answer me or let me go. From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

They all said, “Are you then the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say it, because I am.”

They said, “Why do we need any more witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth!”

The men guarding Jesus mock and beat him, blindfold him and taunt him to prophesy who struck him. At daybreak the council of elders, chief priests and scribes questions him. Asked whether he is the Messiah, he says they would not believe him, but that from now on the Son of Man will be seated at God's right hand. When they ask whether he is the Son of God, he answers, "Ye say that I am," and they decide they need no further witnesses.

What does this mean?

The "council" is the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council in Jerusalem, presided over by the high priest. "The right hand of the power of God" means the place of highest authority beside God, drawing on Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13. "Ye say that I am" (KJV) is indirect but generally understood as affirmative.

Historical context

Under Roman rule the council could hear cases but, according to John 18:31, could not carry out a death sentence. Later rabbinic rules for capital trials, such as forbidding night sessions, may not reflect practice in Jesus' day, and historians debate the nature of this hearing.

Why does it matter?

Luke describes a single morning session rather than a night trial. The taunt to "prophesy" is ironic, since Jesus' prophecy about Peter has just come true.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Translation

KJVTraditional biblical languageWEBContemporary English

Chapters

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16
  17. 17
  18. 18
  19. 19
  20. 20
  21. 21
  22. 22
  23. 23
  24. 24

Back to the Gospels

Reading

Translation

KJVTraditional biblical languageWEBContemporary English

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Appearance

Verse numbersSmall numerals within the text
About Luke