Luke 22

The Passover Dinner; Jesus Arrested in The Garden; Peter’s Denial

In this section, Luke continued his account of the final hours before Jesus’ passion.  The setting is Jerusalem, filled to capacity with Jews who had come to celebrate the Passover, followed by the Festival of Unleavened Bread.  Jesus had made careful preparations with the Twelve; He had much to teach them on the night of His arrest. 

Judas Recruited to Betray (Matthew 26:1-16; Mark 14:1-11)

Passover

Vs. 1 - The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called Passover, was approaching. 

The Passover was only two days away, and Jesus knew its significance in relation to his coming death. Israelites kept the Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread as an annual week-long festival in commemoration of ancient Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. God ‘passed over’ those houses where a lamb had been sacrificed in the place of those under judgment (Exodus 12:1-13). The people then escaped from bondage. For the next week they ate bread made without leaven, because they had to cook it in haste as they travelled (Exodus 12:14-20, Exodus 12:39). The time for a greater deliverance had now arrived. Jesus would die as the true Passover lamb, to bear the penalty of sin and release sinners from its bondage (Matthew 26:1-2; cf. 1 Corinthians 5:7).            - Don Fleming

Luke mentioned the seven-day feast of Unleavened Bread as the better known of the two feasts whereas Matthew and Mark both featured the Passover in their accounts. Greek readers may have known this feast as the feast of Unleavened Bread more commonly than as Passover.             - Thomas Constable

It was at Passover time that Jesus came to Jerusalem to die.  Every male Jew, who was of age and who lived within 15 miles of the holy city, was bound by law to attend the Passover. But it was the ambition of every Jew in every part of the world (as it is still) to come to the Passover in Jerusalem at least once in his lifetime.  It was in a city crowded like that that the drama of the last days of Jesus was played out.        - William Barclay

Satan Entered Judas

Vs. 2 - The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put him to death, because they were afraid of the people.

People in Jerusalem were excited as the festival approached. The chief priests therefore planned to wait until it was finished before arresting Jesus, as they did not want to be responsible for a riot (Matthew 26:3-5). But when Judas came to them and offered to betray Jesus to them, their task was made easier. Judas could advise them of Jesus’ movements, so that they could arrest him quietly without the people knowing (Matthew 26:14-16).               - Don Fleming

Vs. 3-4 - Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, who was numbered among the Twelve. He went away and discussed with the chief priests and temple police how he could hand him over to them.

Judas Iscariot’s decision to betray Jesus is the crucial break that the religious leaders need.  The only explanation that Luke gives for Judas’ disloyalty is the work of Satan (John 13:2, 27) and perhaps the desire for money.                - Thomas Schreiner

The Passover Dinner (Matthew 26:17-35; Mark 14:12-31)

Both Matthew and Mark recorded that Jesus was anointed with expensive perfume by a woman in Bethany just before beginning preparations for the last supper with His disciples.  

Mark 14:3 - While he was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured it on his head.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke recorded the pivotal moments of Jesus’ teaching from the upper room that night, but John recorded the lion’s share of it. From all the accounts, we learn that Jesus carefully and secretly orchestrated this intimate encounter with His closest followers to teach and encourage them, to wash their feet and to strengthen their faith just ahead of some of the most difficult days of their lives. 

During the meal in the upper room, Jesus had much to say to his disciples. This is represented by the teaching recorded in John Chapters 14-16, to which is added a prayer of Jesus in Chapter 17. At the end of the meal, they left the room for the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30).              - Don Fleming

Preparation (Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16)

Vs. 7-8 - Then the Day of Unleavened Bread came when the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

Many commentators note that Jesus observed the Passover on Thursday evening before the Passover lambs were killed on Friday afternoon.  The Jews begin their day at sunsetting, we at midnight. Thus Christ ate the Passover on the same day with the Jews, but not on the same hour.      - Adam Clarke

Normally the Jews killed the sacrificial lamb on the afternoon of Passover day and ate it together in a meal that night (cf. Exodus 12:6,Exodus 12:8). Jesus knew he was to die as the sacrificial lamb on Passover day, and therefore he prepared the meal a day earlier. He would eat the meal with his disciples the evening before Passover, but probably without a lamb, since he himself was to be the lamb.        - Don Fleming

The Bread And Wine (Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26)

Vs. 14-15 - When the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. Then he said to them, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 

By the time of Jesus, the Jewish Passover had developed into a set form with a number of added procedures. Among the additions was a cup of wine, for which the head of the household offered a prayer of thanks (or blessing; cf. 1 Corinthians 10:16). He filled this cup and passed it among the participants, both before and after the eating of unleavened bread. The participants also sang a collection of psalms known as the Hallel (Psalms 113-118). They sang two of the psalms before eating the lamb, the other psalms after. Some of these features are evident in the Gospels’ account of the Passover meal that Jesus had with his disciples the night before his crucifixion. It is sometimes called the Last Supper, and was the occasion on which Jesus instituted the communion meal later known as the Lord’s Supper (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).                 - Don Fleming

Vs. 16 - For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

Jesus announced that He would not eat (a strong negative statement in Greek: ou me phago) another Passover meal until what the Passover anticipated, namely, His own sacrificial death, had transpired.  He would eat with them again next in the kingdom, specifically at the messianic banquet at the beginning of the kingdom. This announcement probably contributed to the apostles’ expectation that the kingdom would begin very soon.           - Thomas Constable

Vs. 19-20 - And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

The Passover in the Old Testament represents the liberation of Israel from Egypt, but Jesus now begins to reinterpret the Passover.  The bread He breaks symbolizes His broken body; that is, it represents his sacrificial death, which is vicarious in nature.  This cup represents the new covenant, and the wine represents His blood, which establishes the new agreement.                - Thomas Schreiner

Everything eaten at the Passover meal had symbolic meaning.  Jesus didn’t give the normal explanation of the meaning of each of the foods. He reinterpreted them in Himself, and the focus was no longer on the suffering of Israel in Egypt, but on the sin-bearing suffering of Jesus on their behalf.     - David Guzik 

The New Covenant (Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26)

Jesus chose two components of the passover meal to illustrate how His blood would be shed and His body would be broken as a sacrifice to enact a new covenant (Jer. 31:31–34; Ezek. 36:26–27; 2 Cor. 3:6; Heb. 8:8–13) for the forgiveness of the sins of the world.  By doing this, Jesus assigned a new and greater symbolism to the passover elements.  From now on, when His followers broke bread and shared the cup together, they would do so in remembrance of Him.

Covenants are one of the most important themes in the Bible—they are the key to God’s redemptive plan to restore humanity to its divine calling. Starting in Genesis, God enters into one formal partnership (i.e., covenant) after another with various humans in order to rescue his world. These divine-human partnerships drive the narrative forward until it reaches its climax in Jesus.

A covenant is a relationship between two partners who make binding promises to each other and work together to reach a common goal. They’re often accompanied by oaths, signs, and ceremonies.  Entering into covenants was a major part of what it meant to live in the ancient Near East. So God partnered with humans through a structure they already understood.

For generations, Israel ignored the terms of their covenant with Yahweh, breaking commands and living by their own definitions of good and evil. Amidst rebellion and exile, the Hebrew prophets spoke of a new covenant, saying that God would one day fulfill all of his promises, repairing his relationship with his people and blessing the nations through them.

This new covenant is to be everlasting. God will write his law on the hearts of his people, bring complete forgiveness of sin, and raise up a faithful king from the line of David who will restore all that has been broken.                          - Tim Mackie

Prophetic description of the new covenant is limited.  Most of what we know was provided by Jeremiah. 

Jeremiah 31:33 - This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”—the Lord’s declaration. “I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

The author of Hebrews quoted Jeremiah’s entire description of the new covenant and declared that Jesus’ sacrificial death and victorious resurrection fulfilled the “better promises” it included. 

Hebrews 8:6 - Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been established on better promises.

Hebrews 9:15 - He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance

Though the promises of the covenant appear to have been given specifically to Israel, the apostles taught that, in God’s mysterious plan to redeem all people, every nation and tongue would be blessed by Jesus’ better covenant. 

Ephesians 3:4-6 - By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Judas’ Betrayal Predicted  (Matthew 26:20-25; Mark 14:17-21; John 13:21-35)

Vs. 21-22 - But look, the hand of the one betraying me is at the table with me. For the Son of Man will go away as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”

Matthew and John tell us that Jesus specifically identified Judas as His betrayer at this time, but we’re not exactly sure that everyone present heard the conversation or understood why Judas left the room.  

Judas was guilty as the one betraying Jesus, yet it remains the case that his actions were determined by God as part of the plan that would culminate in Jesus’ crucifixion.             - A. Boyd Luter 

Dispute over Greatness

Vs. 24 - Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest.

Vs. 26 - whoever is greatest among you should become like the youngest, and whoever leads, like the one serving.

Despite all that Jesus had shown and taught his disciples about humility, and in spite of the death he was about to die for them, they were still arguing about who was the greatest among them. Jesus reminded them again of the different standards in the earthly and heavenly kingdoms. He had given them an example in the way he lived among them, showing that true greatness lay in serving others.             - Don Fleming

The supreme patience of Jesus was displayed in His gentle correction of His squabbling disciples. He obviously had great things weighing down His mind, yet He gently taught and corrected them.  John 13:3-5 tells us that Jesus washed their feet after supper, and He may have spoken these words about true greatness as He washed their feet, or after He was finished.             - David Guzik

Vs. 29-30 - I bestow on you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The disciples will be rewarded for their service and endurance with Jesus in his trials.  They will share with Jesus in the Messianic banquet and the kingdom, having responsibility to judge Israel.           - Thomas Schreiner  

Peter’s Denial Predicted (Matthew 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-31; John 13:36-38)

Vs. 31 - Simon, Simon, look out. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Even though the disciples will eventually inherit the kingdom, their faith will be tested.  In verse 31, “you” is plural, referring to all the disciples, and the sifting will involve the separation of the wheat from the chaff; that is, Satan wants to test the disciples so that they fall from the faith.           - Thomas Schreiner

Commentators make some interesting observations from Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s temptation and denial.  

(1) All of the disciples would be tempted, but only Peter was addressed directly, perhaps because of his leadership role among the apostles and his ability to strengthen and encourage them afterwards. 

(2) Jesus did not pray that Peter could bypass temptation but rather that he would be able to withstand it.  It was the test that would strengthen him.  He was not meant to miss this trial; his own failure would become his teacher. 

(3) It’s easy to miss the abundant mercy in Jesus’ description of Peter’s denial and restoration.  Jesus could see all of the apostle’s pain and potential in that moment, and how he would be met with mercy when the testing was over.  John recorded the tender and restorative conversation between Jesus and Peter after the resurrection (John 21).

Jesus said a very lovely thing to Peter. "When you have turned," he said, "strengthen your brothers." It is as if Jesus said to Peter, "You will deny me; and you will weep bitter tears; but the result will be that you will be better able to help your brothers who are going through it." We cannot really help a man until we have been in the same furnace of affliction or the same abyss of shame as he has been.          - William Barclay

Persecution Predicted

Vs. 36 - Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a money-bag should take it, and also a traveling bag. And whoever doesn’t have a sword should sell his robe and buy one.

In this perplexing paragraph regarding the two swords, the nature of the testing that the disciples and Jesus will face is now explained more fully.  On their previous mission, the disciples lacked nothing, presumably because others met their needs.  But now the time of opposition has set in.  Jesus’ words on acquiring a sword should not be interpreted literally; they are a sign of the conflict and opposition the disciples will face.            - Thomas Schreiner

Jesus quoted Isaiah 53:12 to help His disciples realize that others would regard Him as a criminal. Therefore it would be very difficult for His disciples. They would face intense opposition, as Peter experienced in the high priest’s courtyard.  Some take the command to sell one’s outer garment to purchase a sword literally as well. However, Jesus later rebuked Peter for using a sword to defend himself (Matthew 26:52).         - Thomas Constable

Prayer in The Garden (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; John 18:1)

Gethsemane

Vs. 39-40 - He went out and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he told them, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.”

Though Luke did not identify the garden by name, the other Gospel writers noted it was Gethsemane, an olive orchard along the hillside of the Mount of Olives. 

It must have been getting towards midnight by the time Jesus and his disciples reached the Garden of Gethsemane. Then, taking Peter, James and John with him, Jesus moved to a spot where they could be alone. He was filled with anguish and horror as he saw clearly what his death would mean. The three friends could do little to lessen his anguish except stay awake in sympathy with him. He had to battle against the temptation to avoid the suffering that lay ahead, but the battle was one he had to fight and win alone.              - Don Fleming

This Cup

Vs. 42 - “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Repeatedly in the Old Testament, the cup is a powerful picture of the wrath and judgment of God (Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15). Jesus became, as it were, an enemy of God, who was judged and forced to drink the cup of the Father’s fury so that we would not have to drink from that cup – this was the source of Jesus’ agony.  

In response to Jesus’ deeply moved prayers, the Father did not take the cup from Jesus. Instead He strengthened Jesus to be able to take and drink the cup.       - David Guzik 

Several of the Gospel writers include these details from the garden as Jesus’ humanity was on full display.  As He anticipated the pain and separation of the next few hours and days,  He asked His Father, for Whom all things were possible, if there was some other way that His redemptive plan could be carried out.  The Lamb of God, Who John said was “slain from the foundation of the world,” was making His final surrender to suffer for the sins of the world. 

Hebrews 5:7-8 - During his earthly life, he offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.  

An Angel

Vs. 43-44 - Then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Only Luke mentioned this angel.  Could there have been a more crucial moment for this gift from the Father to the Son in His hour of agony?

There is no scene like this in all history. This was the very hinge and turning point in Jesus' life. He could have turned back even yet. He could have refused the cross. The salvation of the world hung in the balance as the Son of God literally sweated it out in Gethsemane; and he won.          - William Barclay

Exhausted from Grief

Vs. 45-46 - When he got up from prayer and came to the disciples, he found them sleeping, exhausted from their grief. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you won’t fall into temptation.”

From the multiple garden accounts, it would seem that Jesus was exasperated with the disciples’ inability to watch and pray with Him in the garden, but we also hear Him acknowledge the intersection of their willingness and weakness. 

Matthew 26:40-41 - Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

It was the middle of the night, and these men were exhausted and full of bread and wine.  Jesus remembered their physical limitations at that moment because He was struggling with them.  

Just a few hours before, these young men had confidently declared allegiance to their Messiah.  But despite all Jesus’ warnings, they did not anticipate this moment, this test of courage under cover of darkness.  The next few hours and days would be some of the most difficult and confusing of their lives. 

Jesus Arrested (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; John 18:2-11)

Judas Was Leading

Vs. 47-48 - 47 While he was still speaking, suddenly a mob came, and one of the Twelve named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Judas knew exactly where Jesus would be that evening.  This is why his assistance was so valuable to his accusers.  Here, Jesus could be quietly arrested under the cover of darkness and the seclusion of the garden.

When a disciple met a beloved Rabbi, he laid his right hand on the Rabbi's left shoulder and his left hand on the right shoulder and kissed him. It was the kiss of a disciple to a beloved master that Judas used as a sign of betrayal.               - William Barclay

Cut Off His Ear

Vs. 50-51 - Then one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus responded, “No more of this!” And touching his ear, he healed him.

John revealed that the sword-wielder was Peter.  Though he was described as the disciple who denied Jesus, Peter was also the only one bold enough to defend him.  Though he watched from a safe distance, he still followed Jesus to trial.  He was likely one of the major contributors to our knowledge of the private events of this night.  

Still misunderstanding Jesus’ words about swords, the disciples think that now is the time to put them to use.  One disciple (Peter according to John 18:10) severs the right ear of the high priest’s servant.  Jesus, however, rebukes his disciples for resorting to violence and compassionately heals the servant’s ear, demonstrating that, even during his suffering, his work is one of healing and restoration.           - Thomas Schreiner

Jesus Before The High Priest (Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; John 18:12-27)

Annas And Caiaphas

Vs. 54 - They seized him, led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house.

During the night, Jesus was questioned by Anas and then by Caiaphas and a gathering of the Sanhedrin. 

John 18:12-14 - Then the company of soldiers, the commander, and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus and tied him up. First they led him to Annas, since he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better for one man to die for the people.

The Sanhedrin (Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1)

Vs. 66 - When daylight came, the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the scribes, convened and brought him before their Sanhedrin.

Caiaphas had called the Sanhedrin together, determined to condemn Jesus without delay, even though it was illegal for the Sanhedrin to meet at night to judge an offence that carried the death sentence. The Jewish leaders’ whole purpose was to get some statement from Jesus that they could use to charge him with blasphemy and so condemn him to death (Matthew 26:57-63; Mark 14:53-61).      - Don Fleming

Matthew 26:57,59 - Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had convened. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they could put him to death

Luke is the only Gospel writer who gave us an account of what happened at this official meeting of the Sanhedrin.  The Sanhedrin recognized Jesus’ statement to be an unequivocal claim to be the Son of God. This was a claim to be God. Consequently it appeared to them to be blasphemous. They now had sufficient grounds to demand the death sentence from Pilate.            - Thomas Constable

When the morning came, the Sanhedrin concluded their illegal interrogations and led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to stand before Pilate. 

Matthew 27:1-2 - When daybreak came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put him to death. After tying him up, they led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.

It had been a long night for Jesus - the Passover meal, the institution of the Lord’s Supper, the washing of the disciples’ feet, the lengthy teaching in the upper room, the walk to Gethsemane, the agonizing time in the garden, the arrest, the walk back to the city, and the questioning and rough handling at the high priest’s house. It was now daybreak, which meant that a legal sentence could be passed. Jesus therefore was made to stand before the Sanhedrin for a brief repetition of the investigation just concluded. The Jewish leaders could then make a formal charge against him to present to the Roman authorities. In doing so, they had to convince the Roman governor that the accused person deserved execution.         - Don Fleming

Mocked and Beaten

Vs. 63-65 - The men who were holding Jesus started mocking and beating him. After blindfolding him, they kept asking, “Prophesy! Who was it that hit you?” And they were saying many other blasphemous things to him.

Matthew and Mark also recorded Jesus' maltreatment by the religious leaders and temple police during the night. 

Matthew 26:65-67 - Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? See, now you’ve heard the blasphemy. What is your decision?”

They answered, “He deserves death!” Then they spat in his face and beat him; others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah! Who was it that hit you?”

Mark 14:63-65 - Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What is your decision?” They all condemned him as deserving death.

Then some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to beat him, saying, “Prophesy!” The temple servants also took him and slapped him.

Peter’s Denial (Matthew 26:69-74; Mark 14:66-72; John 18:25-26)

During the night, as Jesus was questioned, Peter and John (John 18:15-16) waited by a fire in the courtyard of the high priest’s house.  We are not told why only Peter was recognized by the onlookers.  

In all fairness, it is to be noted that Peter was one of the two disciples (John 18:15) who had the courage to follow Jesus into the courtyard of the High Priest's house at all. Peter fell to a temptation which could only have come to a brave man.              - William Barclay

Vs. 61 - Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter.

Luke had not told his readers that Jesus was anywhere near Peter. Perhaps Jesus was visible through a window, or His guards may have been leading Him past a place where He could see Peter. Luke’s unique reference to His turning and looking at Peter adds to the shock effect of the moment.           - Thomas Constable

Vs. 61-62 - So Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Peter’s entire world had been upended in one evening.  Just a few days earlier, he had entered the city with Jesus to cheering crowds of the hopeful.  But now, after a long and exhausting day of plot twists, he feared for his life and began to doubt all that he previously believed to be true. 

Though it surely didn’t feel so in the moment, this devastating moment of failure proved to be an immense mercy to Peter. For he hadn’t known how weak he really was on his own — how susceptible he was to his sin nature. Peter would need this true, spiritual strength, what he would later call “the strength that God supplies” (1 Peter 4:11), for the future assignment Jesus would give him. 

Jesus had prayed that Peter’s faith would not ultimately fail. In the mercy of God, this failure would discipline Peter, not define him. He would turn again — and when he did, he would be better equipped to strengthen his fellow believers.         - Jon Bloom