Verse By Verse Through Luke
Chapter Twenty-Two
Luke 22:1 “Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.”
- The feast of unleavened bread (Exodus 12:15-28, Exodus 34:18, Leviticus 23:5-8, Deuteronomy 16:1-8, etc.).
Luke 22:2 “And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.”
- cf. Matthew 26:1-5 and Mark 14:1
- The reasoning of their plan (John 11:47-53).
Luke 22:3-4 “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.”
- Satan entered into Judas (John 13:1-2; cf. John 6:70-71).
- Similar statements were made about others (I Chronicles 21:1 and Acts 5:1-4).
- This is figurative language. Such is why Judas was accountable for his choice (Matthew 27:3-5). Similarly, David was for his actions (I Kings 21:8) and Ananias for his actions (Acts 5:4-5).
- Understanding this figure of speech is important. For example, one must understand that turning from the power of Satan to God (Acts 26:18) does not mean from the literal control of one to the other (Acts 26:20).
- Just as Satan did not literal dwell in Judas, God does not literally dwell in saints. The word of God teaches the figurative indwelling of God in saints (Romans 8:9-10, I Corinthians 3:16-17, II Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 4:6, I John 3:24, and I John 4:12-16; cf. John 14:6-10).
- He was one of the twelve (Luke 6:13-16).
- He communed with Jewish leaders for the betrayal (Matthew 26:14-16 and Mark 14:10-11).
Luke 22:5 “And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.”
- “They [the chief priests and captains] were glad.” They delivered Jesus for envy (Mark 15:10-11).
- Thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15-16).
- As prophesied (Zechariah 11:12-13).
Luke 22:6 “And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.”
- Matthew 26:16 and Mark 14:11
- They didn’t want Jesus to be taken during the feast (Mark 14:2).
Luke 22:7 “Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.”
- Exodus 12:1-14; 12:21
Luke 22:8-9 “And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?”
- Matthew 26:17-19
Luke 22:10 “And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.”
- Mark 14:13-16
Luke 22:11 “And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?”
- Similarly, the Lord used His authority when acquiring the colt/ass (Luke 19:30-32).
Luke 22:12 “And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.”
- An upper room appears to have some first century regularity for usage (Acts 1:13 and Acts 20:8).
Luke 22:13 “And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.”
- It is no surprise that they found things as the Lord had foretold them (Isaiah 42:8-9 and John 13:18-19).
Luke 22:14-16 “And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
- There are times wherein “the hour” is NOT very significant (Luke 20:19).
- Here though, the hour [time] for the betrayal, etc. has come (John 12:27, John 13:1, and John 16:32). This appears to be significant.
- It seems that the “it” that was to be fulfilled is “the hour.”
- He wanted to eat with the twelve. He would not eat again until things were fulfilled “in the kingdom” (Mark 16:14 and Luke 24:13-35).
Luke 22:17-18 “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.”
- Here is a great detail Matthew and Mark do not record. The distribution of the fruit of the vine.
- He would not, as with the bread, drink of the fruit of the vine again until He drank it with them in the kingdom (Matthew 26:29 and Mark 14:25).
- As noted in the notes on verses 14-16, Jesus dined with His disciples after He was risen from the dead and did so more than once (John 21:10-12).
Luke 22:19-20 “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”
- Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-25, and I Corinthians 11:16-34
- Remember, this context is where we get the usage of unleavened bread (Matthew 26:17 and Luke 22:1; 22:7).
- Take note, Matthew, Mark, and Luke do not record Jesus washing the disciples feet which works into this context as John records (John 13:1-17).
Luke 22:21-22 “But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!”
- cf. Matthew 26:21-23, Mark 14:18, and John 13:18-26
- As prophesied (Psalms 41:9).
- As it was determined (Luke 24:44-46, Acts 2:23, Acts 26:22-23, and I Corinthians 15:1-4).
- Woe unto him by whom He is betrayed (Matthew 26:24).
- Matthew 26:22, Mark 14:19, and John 13:22-25
Luke 22:24 “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.”
- cf. Matthew 18:1-6, Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 9:33-37, Mark 10:35-45, and Luke 9:46-48
- Who is the greatest (Proverbs 25:27, Micah 6:8, Matthew 23:1-12, John 13:1-17, Romans 12:1-3, Romans 12:10, and Ephesians 2:5-10)?
- Don’t be a Diotrephes (III John 1:9-11).
Luke 22:25 “And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.”
- The usage of the Gentiles as the example NOT to follow (Ephesians 4:17, I Thessalonians 4:5, and I Peter 4:1-5).
Luke 22:26 “But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”
- See notes on verse 24
- I Peter 5:5-6
Luke 22:27 “For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.”
- The greatest is generally the one being served (Luke 17:7-10).
- Then Jesus drops His role as the one that is clearly the greatest, yet coming to serve (Philippians 2:3-11).
Luke 22:28 “Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.”
- They continued with Him when others did not (John 6:60-69).
- The word translated “temptations” [πειρασμός] is defined: “a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication adversity: - temptation, X try” (Strong’s # 3986).
Luke 22:29-30 “And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
- cf. Matthew 19:27-30
- Saints shall judge (I Corinthians 6:1-3).
Luke 22:31-32 “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
- Simon is Peter (Matthew 4:18, Luke 5:8, and Luke 6:14).
- The adversary wanted Peter (I Peter 5:8).
- Sifting wheat is a shaking motion in the process of separating the edible grain from the inedible chaff and husks. It is concerning to think about saints being shaken (II Thessalonians 2:1-2).
- Based upon what Jesus followed up with, this action of Satan was intended to cause Peter’s faith to fail (Matthew 13:20-21 and Luke 8:13).
- All of the Apostles were significant (Ephesians 2:20). Peter, James, and John were seen as more significant in the work (Galatians 2:1-10).
- Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail (John 17:1-26).
- What God did for the Apostles was nothing short of direct, miraculous guidance (Acts 12:1-12, Acts 16:1-10, Acts 27:13-26, and Acts 28:1-6).
- While Peter was not only willing, but actually did forsook all to follow Jesus (Luke 5:1-11; cf. Luke 14:25-33), he was not yet fully converted (Luke 24:1-12 and John 21:1-3).
- Jesus wanted Peter to not only overcome, but once he did that to strengthen the brethren. You can see Peter taking charge at times (Acts 1:15, Acts 2:14, Acts 4:8, Acts 9:32, etc.).
Luke 22:33-34 “And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.”
- Peter, instead of just listening (James 1:19), decided to profess his unwavering loyalty (I Corinthians 10:12).
- Peter is confident in his conviction that he’d be suffer imprisonment and even death for Jesus (John 13:36-37).
- From other accounts, we know Peter doesn’t accept this truth (Matthew 26:33-35 and Mark 14:31-38).
- Peter has shown he is willing to disagree boldly with Jesus and has been sharply rebuked for it (Matthew 16:21-23).
- Peter is also overly confident, until he fails (Matthew 14:22-33).
- Before the cock crow (Matthew 26:30-35 and Matthew 26:69-75).
Luke 22:35 “And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.”
- When Jesus sent them without purse [money bag], scrip [wallet], or shoes (Matthew 10:1-15, Luke 9:1-6, and Luke 10:1-8).
- Jesus had taught them not to be concerned with the physical needs they would have (Luke 12:22-34).
- The confirmed that they did not lack when they were sent out without extra supplies (Psalms 37:25).
Luke 22:36 “Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.”
- Danger is ahead for them (Matthew 5:10-12, Luke 21:12, John 15:20, and John 16:33).
- So, the instruction now is to take what they have, sell it, and buy a sword. The only logical, Scriptural conclusion is this is for self-defense (Exodus 22:1-3 and Matthew 24:43).
- This has to be balanced though (Romans 12:17-13:5).
Luke 22:37 “For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.”
- Things needed to happen according to what was written (Luke 24:36-46; cf. Matthew 5:17-18, Matthew 26:47-56, John 18:31-32, Acts 3:18, and Acts 13:26-39).
- The prophesy of Jesus being numbered with the transgressors (Isaiah 53:1-12). *vs. 12 specifically.
- See also: Mark 15:27-28
Luke 22:38 “And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.”
- Two swords were enough even among twelve men. Why? They were not going out for carnal warfare (John 18:36 and II Corinthians 10:3-4).
Luke 22:39 “And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.”
- He had been coming and going to and from the mount of Olives (Luke 21:37).
- Judas was aware of this location (John 18:1-2).
- The disciples went with Him. One detail to note is that what we are about to read occurs when Jesus took with Him just three of the disciples (Matthew 26:36-38 and Mark 14:32-34). Take this as a learning tip. Don’t infer something that is not explicitly stated incorrectly.
Luke 22:40 “And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.”
- cf. Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38, and Luke 22:46
- Think hard about this. Pray that ye enter not into trials, adversity, proving, etc. We will read that Jesus is now, if not before, certainly aware of the weakness of the flesh (more on that to come). Jesus learned things from these experiences (Hebrews 5:1-10).
- God was going to directly lead, through the Spirit, the Apostles of our Lord as they went out after Jesus ascended into Heaven (John 16:1-13 and Acts 16:1-10).
- They could ask the Father not to be lead into temptation (Matthew 6:13 and Luke 11:4).
- Prayer is also a way to redirect one’s mind (Philippians 4:6-8).
- Contextually, we have read about Jesus concerns for the disciples from here going forward (Luke 22:31-32).
- Why the concern? Well, some start off hot but in times of temptation fall away (Luke 8:13).
Luke 22:41-42 “And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
- cf. Matthew 26:39-44, Mark 14:35-41, and John 17:1-26
- “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again” (John 12:27-28).
- In suffering, in agony; the mindset of Jesus was and continued to be about the Father’s will (John 4:34, John 5:30, and John 6:38).
- For this reason, He came into this world (Hebrews 10:1-22).
Luke 22:43 “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.”
- As we saw when Jesus overcame the temptations Satan put Him through (Matthew 4:11).
- The strengthening is like to what occurs when a weak; hungry man obtains necessary nutrition (Acts 9:19-20).
Luke 22:44 “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
- As He prayed He was sweating “as it were” great drops of blood. Don’t read into that more than the fact that Jesus was exceedingly sorrowful (Matthew 26:38). Such was manifested in His perfuse sweating.
- Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41) and over the death of Lazarus (John 11:35). This language just takes us to a different level of His agony.
Luke 22:45-46 “And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.”
- More details on why they slept (Matthew 26:43 and Mark 14:40-41).
- Again, the instruction to pray (see: Luke 22:40).
- It was time to go (Matthew 26:46 and Mark 14:42).
Luke 22:47-48 “And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?”
- cf. Matthew 26:47-49, Mark 14:43-45, and John 18:1-9
- Judas is sticking with what was plotted (Luke 22:1-6).
- David prophesied of Judas betrayal (Psalms 41:9; cf. John 13:18 and Acts 1:16).
- Think about the kiss being the mark of the betrayal (Proverbs 27:5-6).
- cf. Matthew 26:51-54, Mark 14:47, and John 18:10-11
- The Lord was not looking for physical warfare (John 18:36 and II Corinthians 10:3-4).
Luke 22:52 “Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?”
- cf. Matthew 26:55 and Mark 14:48
- Captains of the temple (Acts 5:17-27).
- Yes, they will treat Him as a criminal (Mark 15:28).
Luke 22:53 “When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
- Jesus had been teaching daily in the temple in recent days (Luke 19:47 and Luke 21:37-38).
- They did not take Him because they feared the people (Luke 22:1-2).
- The plan was to take Jesus in the absence of the multitude (Luke 22:6).
- Their hour (John 16:20-22).
- The power of darkness is like saying the power of Satan (cf. Acts 26:18).
Luke 22:54 “Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.”
- Matthew 26:57-58, Mark 14:53-54, John 18:12-15, and John 18:24
- Under the Law of Moses priests sat in judgment when charges were brought against a person (Deuteronomy 19:15-21 and Deuteronomy 21:5).
Luke 22:55-56 “And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.”
- Matthew 26:69, Mark 14:66-68, and John 18:17-18
Luke 22:57 “And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.”
- Remember what Jesus told Peter (Luke 22:33-34).
- Also, remember what Jesus had taught about denying Him (Matthew 10:32-33 and Luke 12:8-9).
- Matthew 26:70 and Mark 14:68-70
Luke 22:58 “And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.”
- Matthew 26:71-72, Mark 14:69-70, and John 18:25
Luke 22:59-60 “And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.”
- Matthew 26:73-74, Mark 14:70-72, John 18:26-27
- This isn’t good for Peter at the moment (Romans 10:11).
Luke 22:61-62 “And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”
- Matthew 26:75 and Mark 14:72
- When you wake up to reality and weep (Nehemiah 1:3-4, Psalms 137:1-4, Lamentations 1:16, Lamentations 3:48, and Luke 15:11-32).
Luke 22:63 “And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.”
- They will continue to mock Him (Matthew 27:29, Matthew 27:31, and Luke 23:36).
- He knew this was coming (Luke 18:31-32).
- This had been sinful Israel’s behavior in the past (II Chronicles 36:14-16).
- They smote [beat] Him (John 19:3).
Luke 22:64 “And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?”
- cf. Matthew 26:67-68 and Mark 14:65
Luke 22:65 “And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.”
- Think about who blasphemes the Lord (Psalms 74:10, Psalms 74:18, Isaiah 65:7, and Ezekiel 20:27).
Luke 22:66-68 “And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.”
- cf. Matthew 27:1 and Mark 15:1
- The evidence had already been set forth that He is the Christ (Matthew 11:1-6).
- The fact had already been shown they would not believe (Matthew 16:1-4, John 5:39-47, John 8:43-45, John 10:24-32, and John 12:37-43).
- Think about how His answer will not change anything because of who is asking the questions (Matthew 7:6).
Luke 22:69-71 “Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.”
- This is given in a different order of events in Matthew and Mark (Matthew 26:63-65 and Mark 14:61-64). Or, it is that this could be the second time as a similar event.
- Think about how their process of witnesses had gone (Matthew 26:60-62).
- They were seeking two witnesses for a reason (Deuteronomy 17:6, Deuteronomy 19:15, Numbers 35:30, etc.).
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