EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries
Luke 22:1-71
Luke’s Good News
Luke
Hilda Bright
Chapter 22
The plot to kill Jesus 22:1-6
v1 The time was near for the *feast of *Unleavened Bread, or *Passover. v2 The chief priests and teachers of the law were afraid of what the people might do. So, they wanted to find a way to kill Jesus in secret. v3 Then *Satan took control of Judas Iscariot, who was one of the 12 *apostles. v4 So Judas went and spoke to the chief priests and the officers of the guard. They discussed how he could hand Jesus over to them. v5 They were glad and promised to pay him money. v6 Judas agreed and began to look for an opportunity. He wanted to hand Jesus over to them. But he did not want the people to know about it.
Verse 1 The *feast of *Unleavened Bread and *Passover were very important. They reminded the *Jews of what God had done for their *ancestors. The *Jews escaped from Egypt many centuries ago (Exodus 12). They had been slaves there. But God, through Moses, rescued them. They had left Egypt in a hurry. They did not have time to make bread with *yeast in it. The *feast lasted 7 days in the *Jewish month of Nisan (middle of March to middle of April). The *Passover was on the 14th day of Nisan.
Verse 2 Many more *Roman soldiers came from Caesarea to control people during the *feast. If the *religious leaders had arrested Jesus in public, the crowds could have caused trouble. That would lead to punishment from the *Romans.
Verse 3 People ask why Judas allowed *Satan to lead him to do such a wicked thing. Judas was one of the 12 *apostles, whom Jesus trusted as friends. Here are some possible answers:
1 Perhaps Judas wanted the money that he expected as a reward. Judas used to steal money from the *apostles’ bag. Judas was in charge of the money (John 12:6).
2 Perhaps he was jealous of the other *apostles. If his name ‘Iscariot’ means ‘man from Kerioth’, he was the only one of the 12 who did not come from Galilee. Jesus had given special honour to Peter, James and John on several occasions. Perhaps he thought that Jesus had not given him the place of honour that he deserved.
3 Perhaps he expected Jesus to drive out the *Romans and make himself king. Then Judas would have had a special place in this new *kingdom. His name ‘Iscariot’ could mean that he was one of the *Zealot party A *Zealot was a man who wanted to fight against *Rome. The *Zealots wanted the *Jews to rule *Israel again. Perhaps he wanted to use force to free his nation. He may even have thought that his action would force Jesus to show his power.
4 Perhaps he was a coward. He saw trouble coming to Jesus, and wanted to protect himself.
Verse 5 The priests promised Judas 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). That was the price of a slave (Exodus 21:32).
The *disciples prepare the *Passover meal 22:7-13
v7 The day came, during the *feast of *Unleavened Bread, when they had to *sacrifice the *Passover *lamb. v8 Jesus gave instructions to Peter and John, ‘Go and prepare the *Passover meal for us to eat’. v9 ‘Where do you want us to prepare it?’ they asked him. v10 He answered, ‘As you go into the city, a man will meet you. He will be carrying a jar of water. Follow him into the house that he enters. v11 Say to the owner of the house, “The teacher says to you, ‘Where is the room where I and my *disciples will eat the *Passover meal?’ ” v12 He will show you a large room upstairs for guests. You can prepare everything there’. v13 They went off. They found everything just as Jesus told them. And they prepared the *Passover meal.
Verse 7 Men killed the *lambs for the meal before sunset on the 13th day of the month Nisan. A new *Jewish day begins after sunset. So the *Passover meal was in the evening of 14th Nisan.
Verse 10 A man who carried a jar of water was special evidence. Usually, only women carried jars of water on their heads or shoulders.
Verses 10-11 Jesus gave the instructions to Peter and John. This shows that he had already made the arrangements. He had also done that with the young *donkey (19:29-35). He did not want the rulers and Judas to know the place. He still had important truth to teach his *apostles.
Verse 12 We do not know the name of the owner. Some people think that the house belonged to Mary, the mother of John Mark. The room became a meeting place for the *disciples after Jesus rose from death (Acts 12:12).
Verse 13 The *Passover meal included *lamb and *unleavened bread. The *Jews ate bitter *herbs to remind them of the bitter life of their *ancestors as slaves in Egypt (Exodus 12:1-11).
The *Lord’s Supper 22:14-23
v14 When the time came, Jesus sat at the table with his *apostles. v15 He said to them, ‘I have greatly desired to eat this *Passover meal with you before I suffer. v16 Because I tell you this. I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the *kingdom of God’.
Verse 16 The *Passover meal reminded the *Jews how their *ancestors used to be slaves in Egypt. And how they gained their freedom. The word ‘fulfilled’ means this: When the *kingdom of God comes, Christians will praise God. They will have freedom from *sin, judgement and death. Jesus won this freedom for people on the cross.
v17 Then Jesus took a cup of wine. He gave thanks to God and said, ‘Take this and share it among *yourselves. v18 I tell you this. I will not drink *wine again until the *kingdom of God comes’. v19 Then he picked up the bread. He gave thanks to God. He broke the loaf and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body which I give for you. Do this to remember me’. v20 In the same way, he gave them the cup of wine after supper. He said, ‘This cup is God’s new special agreement in my blood, which I will pour out for you. v21 But look! The one who will *betray me is here at the table with me. v22 The *Son of Man will die as God has decided. But it will be terrible for that man who *betrays him!’ v23 Then they began to ask questions among themselves about which one of them would do this.
Verses 17-18 During a *Passover meal there were three loaves of *unleavened bread and four cups of *wine. He gave his *disciples *wine to share to show their unity.
Verse 19 Bread was a like a picture of his body. He was going to give his life on their behalf.
Verse 20 The final cup after supper showed the new special relationship between God and people. The *Jews had broken the old agreement to obey God’s laws. The new special agreement (see Jeremiah 31:31-34) would mean that people would want to obey God. They would obey him, because he loves them. The blood of an animal ‘signed’ the old agreement. When Jesus gave his life for them, he would have ‘signed’ the new agreement. They ate bread and drank *wine. These two ceremonies were to be a permanent way to remember his death.
Verse 21 Jesus said that the person who would *betray him was sharing the meal. It was especially wicked for a guest to *betray his host.
Verse 22 Jesus spoke of his death as part of God’s plan. But Judas was responsible for his own actions. Jesus spoke of how terrible his fate would be. His warning was a final appeal to Judas. He could have changed his decision, even at this last moment. Luke does not tell us what the *apostles said to Jesus. But John 13:21-30 gives the details.
The argument about greatness 22:24-30
v24 The *apostles began to argue among themselves. They wondered which one of them was the most important person. v25 Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the *Gentiles have power over their people. The rulers tell their people to call them “Friends of the People”. v26 But you should not behave like that. Rather, the most important one among you must be like the least important. The leader must be like the servant. v27 Who is more important? The person who eats at the table or the person who serves him? The person who eats at the table is more important. But I am like the servant. v28 You have remained loyal to me through all my difficulties. v29 My Father has given me the right to rule. So, I will give you the same right. v30 You will eat and drink at my table in my *kingdom. You will sit on royal seats, and rule over the 12 *tribes of *Israel’.
Verse 24 The *apostles had argued about this before (Luke 9:46-48). Jesus had said that the least important person was the best.
Verse 25 The *apostles were wondering which of them would be the most important in the *kingdom. Jesus told them that the *Gentile rulers tried to make themselves look important. They demanded that people obey their authority completely. And yet, they liked to call themselves the people’s friends.
Verses 26-27 The Christian attitude must be very different from people who are not Christians. The only person who can really be great is someone who serves other people. John records that Jesus had given an example. He had washed the *apostles’ feet. That was the work of a slave (John 13:1-10).
Verses 28-30 The *apostles had shared the hard times in Jesus’ work. Jesus encouraged them. He said that they would enjoy the *Messiah’s splendid dinner with him in heaven. They would share with him the honour of his *eternal rule. Some Christians believe that ‘the 12 *tribes of *Israel’ refers to the Christian Church.
Jesus warns Peter 22:31-34
v31 ‘Simon, Simon, listen!’ said Jesus. ‘*Satan has asked to test you all. He wants to separate loyal people from the people who are not loyal. This action will be like a farmer who separates the wheat from the rubbish. v32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your *faith may not fail. And when you turn back to me, you must help the other *apostles to be stronger’. v33 Peter answered, ‘I am ready to go to prison with you and to die with you!’ v34 Jesus replied, ‘Peter, I tell you this. You will say three times that you do not know me! This will happen before the *cock calls in the morning’.
Verse 31 Jesus repeated the name ‘Simon’. This emphasised that he was going to say something important. ‘Simon’ was the name that Peter had before Jesus changed it (Mark 3:16. ‘Peter’ means ‘rock’). Jesus knew that Peter was not yet strong like a rock.
*Satan can act only with God’s agreement. We know this from Job 1:6-12.
Verse 32 Jesus had prayed that Peter’s *faith would not fail completely. When he became loyal to Jesus again, he would help the other *apostles.
Verse 33 Peter did not realise how serious the situation was. Neither did he realise that he was weak. He was confident that he would be willing to die for Jesus in some future time of trouble.
Verse 34 Jesus now spoke to him as ‘Peter’. Jesus was reminding Peter of the name that he had given him, the ‘Rock’ (Luke 6:14). Jesus knew that Peter was not yet as strong as a rock. Peter would deny Jesus three times before the *cock gave its loud cry in the early morning. These words may refer to the farmer’s bird. Or they may refer to the *Roman trumpet. Someone blew this trumpet (musical instrument) at three o’clock in the morning. But it meant that Peter would deny that he knew Jesus, before the night was over.
Jesus warns all the *disciples 22:35-38
v35 Then Jesus asked his *disciples, ‘When I sent you out that time without purse, bag or shoes, did you lack anything?’ ‘We lacked nothing’, they answered. v36 ‘But now’, Jesus said, ‘whoever has a purse or a bag must take it. Whoever does not have a sword must sell his coat and buy one. v37 The *Scripture says, “He shared the fate of criminals”. I tell you; that must come true about me. Whatever the *Scripture says about me will come true’. v38 The *apostles said, ‘Look! Here are two swords, *Lord!’ ‘Enough!’ he replied.
Verse 35 Jesus spoke of the time when he sent the *disciples out. They had to trust God to supply what they needed (9:3; 10:4)
Verse 36 The situation was going to be different in the future. They must prepare to have the equipment for it. Jesus did not mean an actual sword. He was using the word to emphasise future danger.
Verse 37 He used a verse from the ‘suffering Servant’ poem in Isaiah 53:12. People would consider him a criminal. They would punish him, like a wicked person. Jesus said that all the *Scriptures about the *Messiah would come true.
Verse 38 The *apostles failed to understand Jesus. They showed him two swords. ‘Enough!’ does not mean that two swords among 11 *apostles were sufficient. Jesus said it to end the conversation.
Jesus prays on the *Mount of *Olives 22:39-46
v39 Jesus left the city and went to the *Mount of *Olives. He usually did this. And the *apostles went with him. v40 When he arrived at the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that God will keep you from a difficult test’. v41 Then he walked away from them about the distance that someone can throw a stone. He went on to his knees and prayed. v42 ‘Father’, he said, ‘if you will, take this cup of suffering away from me. But may what you want happen, not what I want’. v43 An *angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. v44 He was in severe mental pain. His prayer was an even greater struggle. The water on his face was like drops of blood that fell onto the ground. v45 When he rose from prayer, he went back to the *apostles. He found them asleep. They were very sad and this had made them tired. v46 He said to them, ‘You should not be sleeping! Get up and pray. Then you will not want do the wrong things.
Verses 39-40 Matthew and Mark tell us something else about the place that Jesus went to. They tell us that it was the garden of Gethsemane. Luke adds that Jesus had often gone there.
Verse 41 The *Jews usually stood when they prayed. And they looked up to heaven. On this very serious occasion, Jesus went down on his knees.
Verse 42 In the *Old Testament, the ‘cup’ describes God’s action, sometimes when he was angry. In the *New Testament, it refers to pain, as in Mark 10:38 and John 18:11. Jesus did not mean only *physical pain. However, he knew that *crucifixion would be very painful. Jesus would have to leave the work of his *kingdom to men who were still not ready. He was struggling with *spiritual powers of darkness as he prayed to obey his Father.
Verse 44 ‘The water on his face was like drops of blood’ describes the size and quantity of the drops, not the colour. The drops were the size of big tears. This shows that Jesus was suffering greatly.
The arrest 22:47-53
v47 Jesus was still speaking, when a crowd arrived. Judas, one of the 12 *apostles, was leading them. He went to Jesus to kiss him. v48 But Jesus said, ‘Judas, are you going to *betray the *Son of Man with a kiss?’ v49 The *apostles were with Jesus. They saw what was going to happen. So they asked, ‘*Lord, shall we fight them with our swords?’ v50 And one of the *apostles struck the chief priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. v51 But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ He touched the man’s ear and *healed him. v52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the *Temple guard and *elders who had come to arrest him, ‘Did you have to come with swords and heavy sticks. Am I really a dangerous criminal? v53 I was with you in the *Temple every day. You did not try to arrest me. But this is your hour, when the power of darkness rules’.
Verse 47 Judas gave Jesus a kiss. This showed which man they had to arrest (Mark 14:44). Judas was using a greeting from a friend and *apostle to *betray Jesus!
Verse 50 Peter attacked the servant, whose name was Malchus (John 18:10-11). The chief priest was Caiaphas.
Verse 51 Jesus stopped the *disciples so that they did not fight. And he *healed the servant’s ear.
Verses 52-53 Jesus asked why they had chosen to arrest him in secret like this. If they had a good reason, Jesus had given them every opportunity for a legal arrest in the *Temple. Darkness was the time for *Satan’s work. That time had arrived.
Peter denies Jesus 22:54-62
v54 They arrested Jesus and took him to the house of the chief priest. Peter followed at a distance. v55 People had lit a fire in the middle of the *courtyard. Peter joined those who were sitting round it. v56 One of the servant girls saw Peter as he sat by the fire. She looked straight at him, and said, ‘This man too was with Jesus!’ v57 But Peter denied it, ‘Woman, I do not even know him!’ v58 After a little while, a man noticed Peter and said, ‘You are one of his *followers too!’ But Peter answered, ‘Man, I am not!’ v59 And about an hour later another man insisted, ‘Certainly this man was with him. Because he also is from Galilee’. v60 Peter answered, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about!’ At once, while he was still speaking, the *cock gave its cry. v61 The *Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered that the *Lord had said to him, ‘Before you hear the *cock tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me’. v62 Peter went out and wept great tears for a long time.
Verse 54 They took Jesus to Annas first. Then they took him to the house of Caiaphas (John 18:13).
Verses 55-57 Someone had lit a fire because it was cold that night. The light from the fire shone on Peter’s face. A servant looked hard at Peter. She thought that she recognised him. She said that he had been with Jesus. But Peter denied that he knew Jesus.
Verse 58 The man made a more serious remark. He said that Peter was one of Jesus’ *followers. Peter denied Jesus for the second time.
Verses 59-60 People who came from Galilee had a different accent from everyone else. Someone insisted that Peter was a *disciple of Jesus because he too came from Galilee. Mark 14:71 adds that Peter denied it and cursed. Then Peter heard the cry of the *cock.
Verses 61-62 Jesus looked at Peter. Jesus probably felt very sad, but also he had pity. Peter remembered his warning. Peter cried because he had been weak. Also he had failed his *Lord.
In the high priest’s house 22:63-65
v63 Some men were guarding Jesus. They laughed at him and beat him. v64 They tied a cloth over his eyes and asked him, ‘Who hit you? You must guess!’ v65 And they said many other things to insult him.
Verses 63–65 Luke does not mention that the priests also had a *trial during the night (Matthew 26:57-68). To examine a person at night was not legal. So, the priests had to wait until morning. Then the *Sanhedrin could declare that he was guilty. While they waited, the soldiers hit Jesus. They laughed at him and his message.
The *Sanhedrin examines Jesus 22:66-71
v66 When day came, the *elders, chief priests and teachers of the law met together. The guard took Jesus to the *Sanhedrin. v67 ‘Tell us’, they said, ‘are you the *Messiah?’ He answered, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe me. v68 If I ask you a question, you will not answer. v69 But before long the *Son of Man will sit at the right side of God, who has all power’. v70 They all said, ‘Are you, then, the *Son of God?’ He answered them, ‘You are right to say that I am’. v71 And they said, ‘We need no other witnesses! We have heard what he said!’
Verse 66 Early on Friday morning the soldiers took Jesus to the *Sanhedrin, the chief *Jewish authority. It had 70 members. The chief priest was its leader.
Verse 67 Jesus could not answer their question. He knew that their belief about the *Messiah was very different from his. He knew that they would not believe him, even if he said ‘yes’.
Verse 68 Jesus had asked questions about the *Messiah before (20:3, 41). But they had not been able to reply.
Verse 69 Jesus then used words from Daniel 7:13. They would see the *Son of Man. He would be sitting in the place of honour at God’s right side. The word ‘sitting’ suggests that he would be at rest. He would be at rest after his work on earth was complete.
Verse 70 They asked Jesus a direct question about his relationship to God. He did not deny that he was ‘the’ *Son of God.
Verse 71 The *Sanhedrin said that this was ‘*blasphemy’. They said that he was guilty. But they had broken their own laws. Two witnesses had to agree about the person that they accused. The *Sanhedrin should not have asked a direct question. There was another law. They could decide that someone was guilty. Then they had to wait for a day before they decided his punishment. But they were so anxious to kill Jesus that they broke their own rules. They did not have the authority themselves to kill Jesus. So they made up charges that the *Roman ruler, Pilate, would consider serious.
This publication is written in EasyEnglish Level B (2800 words)
feast ~ special meal; religious ceremony.religious ~ leaders belonging to a religion.
unleavened ~ bread without yeast.
yeast ~ substance that you put in bread to make it rise.
Passover ~ annual ceremony to remember when God rescued the Jews from Egypt.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Satan ~ chief evil spirit; the Devil.
apostle ~ one of the 12 men whom Jesus chose to be his special helpers.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
ancestors ~ any persons from whom the families of your father or mother come.
yeast ~ substance that you put in bread to make it rise.
Jewish ~ a word that describes a Jew or anything to do with a Jew.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Roman ~ person or thing that belongs to Rome.
Rome ~ capital of a great empire in *New Testament times.
empire ~ group of nations under one ruler (emperor).
emperor ~ king who rules over many countries.
religious ~ leaders belonging to a religion.
kingdom ~ land that a king rules.
Zealot ~ a strong enemy of the Roman government.
Roman ~ person or thing that belongs to Rome.
Rome ~ capital of a great empire in *New Testament times.
empire ~ group of nations under one ruler (emperor).
emperor ~ king who rules over many countries.
Rome ~ capital of a great empire in *New Testament times.
empire ~ group of nations under one ruler (emperor).
emperor ~ king who rules over many countries.'Israel, Israelites ~ all the people from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
disciple ~ one who follows another and learns from him; a person who believes in Jesus; a person who follows the things that he teaches.
sacrifice ~ a gift to God to ask him to forgive sins; or to thank him for something.
lamb ~ young sheep.
donkey ~ animal like a small horse.
unleavened ~ bread without yeast.
yeast ~ substance that you put in bread to make it rise.
herbs ~ plants that are useful in cooking or medicine.
Lord ~ name for God in the Bible; name that we use for Jesus when we obey him.'sin/sinner ~ when people do things against God or other people.
yourselves ~ more than one ‘yourself’.
wine ~ a drink made from grapes.
grape ~ fruit of vine.
vine ~ plant that produces grapes.
betray ~ to give a person to an enemy by not being loyal.'Son of Man ~ special name that Jesus used of himself.
Gentiles ~ people who are not Jews.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
tribe ~ a group of people; a family or people having the same ancestors.
ancestors ~ any persons from whom the families of your father or mother come.'Christ/Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.
Messiah/Christ ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
eternal ~ without beginning or end.
faith ~ trust.
cock ~ male chicken.
Mount ~ small mountain.
olive ~ a kind of tree that has fruit.
angel ~ God’s servant and messenger in heaven.
messenger ~ person who gives a message.
crucifixion ~ to nail someone to a wooden cross in order to kill them.
spiritual ~ belonging to the spirit.
spirit ~ the part of a person which is alive, which we cannot see. It can speak to other spirits and the soul.
soul ~ the part of a person that we cannot see, that is in us during our life on earth. It continues to live after the body dies.
heal ~ cure; make completely well.
Temple ~ special building in Jerusalem where Jews worshipped God.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
worship ~ show honour and respect to God and praise him.
elder ~ a leader.'court, courtyard ~ open space with building round.
follower ~ person who follows a leader.
trial ~ the examination of a person in a court of law to discover whether he is guilty or not of a crime.
Sanhedrin ~ the group of Jewish priests and other leaders.
Jewish ~ a word that describes a Jew or anything to do with a Jew.
priest ~ a man that gave gifts and burned animals as a sacrifice to God for the Jews; a man that God chose to serve him.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
sacrifice ~ a gift to God to ask him to forgive sins; or to thank him for something.
Christ/Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.
Messiah/Christ ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
blasphemy ~ insulting God.
Luke: The Man Christ Jesus
Jesus Suffers Death and He Becomes Alive Again
Ian Mackervoy
Chapter 22
Judas goes to the chief priests – Luke 22:1-6
v1 It was almost time for the *feast of *unleavened bread, called the *Passover. v2 And the chief priests and the teachers of the law were trying to find a way to kill Jesus. However, they were afraid of the people. v3 Then *Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot. He was one of the 12 *apostles. v4 Judas went to the chief priests and the *temple guards. He discussed with them how he could hand Jesus over to them. v5 They were glad and they agreed to give money to him. v6 So, Judas promised to do it. He looked for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them away from the crowd.
Verses 1-2 On the 14th day of the *Jewish month called Nisan is the *Passover. From the 15th day of that month for 7 days is the *feast of *unleavened bread (Numbers 28:16-17). In time, people referred to these two *feasts as the *Passover. Nisan is about March or April in our calendar. Another name for Nisan is Abib.
At the *Passover, the *Jews remember how God rescued their families from Egypt. At that time, the *Jews were slaves in Egypt. God allowed a series of *disasters to happen in Egypt, but the king of Egypt still would not allow them to leave. Then, God told the *Israelites to kill a young sheep (or a goat) on behalf of each family. He told them to put some of the blood from these animals round their doors. That night, the oldest son in each *Egyptian family died. But God protected the families of the *Israelites who had put the blood round their doors. The result was that, at last, the king of Egypt let the *Israelites leave Egypt (Exodus chapter 12).
In the *feast of *unleavened bread, the *Jews remember how they left Egypt. They left in a hurry. So, they took the *dough with them before they had added the *yeast (Exodus 12:34).
Jesus had come to Jerusalem for the *Passover. The chief priests and many of the teachers of the law there wanted to kill Jesus. They could not arrest him in public because they were afraid of the reaction from the people. Previously, many of the *Pharisees had been the main enemies of Jesus. Now these chief priests and teachers of the law had become the leaders against him.
Verses 3-6 We do not know why Judas turned against Jesus. We do know that he was a thief. He had control of the money on behalf the *disciples and he took some for himself (John 12:4-6). Maybe he saw an opportunity to make money. He could get a good fee if he could hand over Jesus to the chief priests.
Judas went to the chief priests and the *temple guards. He offered to hand Jesus to them and they were glad. They agreed on a price. That price was 30 silver coins (Matthew 26:15). From then on, Judas looked for an opportunity to do it. But he had to do it in private, away from the crowds.
It seems that *Satan put the idea into the mind of Judas before the last supper. Then during the meal, *Satan entered him. Judas left the supper and he went out into the night (John 13:2; John 13:27-30). Jesus knew what Judas would do.
The last supper – Luke 22:7-38
v7 The day of *unleavened bread came. That is, the day when it was necessary to kill the young sheep for the *Passover. v8 Jesus sent Peter and John. He said to them, ‘Go. Prepare the *Passover meal for us to eat.’
v9 They asked him, ‘Where do you want us to prepare it?’
v10 He told them, ‘Go into the city. A man will meet you. He will be carrying a jug of water. Follow him into the house that he enters. v11 And say to the owner of the house. “The Teacher says to you, ‘Where is the guest room? I want to eat the *Passover there with my *disciples.’ ” v12 The owner will take you upstairs. He will show you a large room ready for you to use. Prepare the meal there.’
v13 Peter and John left. They found everything as Jesus had told them. And they prepared the *Passover meal.
v14 When the time came, Jesus and the *apostles sat at the table. v15 Jesus said to them, ‘I really want to eat this *Passover with you. I want to eat it with you before I suffer. v16 I tell you that I will not eat it again on earth. I will not eat it until it has achieved its purpose in God’s *kingdom.’
v17 Then Jesus took a cup of wine and he thanked God. He said to his *apostles. ‘Take this and share it among yourselves. v18 I tell you this. I will not drink wine again until God's *kingdom comes.’
v19 Jesus took a loaf of bread. He thanked God and he broke the bread. He gave it to them. He said, ‘This is my body. I give my body on your behalf. Do this to remember me.’
v20 Then after the meal, Jesus took the cup of wine. He said, ‘This wine means the new promise that I will establish by my blood. It is sure because I will die on behalf of you. v21 But look. The hand of the man who will give me to my enemies is on the table with mine. v22 The Son of Man will go even as God intended. But it will be terrible for that man who hands him over to his enemies.’ v23 Then the *apostles began to discuss among themselves which of them would do that.
v24 Also, there was a quarrel among the *apostles. They argued about which of them was the most important. v25 Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the nations rule powerfully over their people. Those people in authority over the people are called “friends of the people”. v26 But you must not be like that. The most important among you should be like the least important. Your leader should be like the person who serves. v27 The person at the table is more important than the person who serves him. Usually that is what people think. But I am among you as a servant. v28 You have stayed with me through my struggles. v29 As my Father gave to me a *kingdom, even so I give this great honour to you. v30 You will eat and drink at my table in my *kingdom. Also, you will sit on *thrones. You will be the judges of *Israel’s 12 *tribes.
v31 Simon, Simon, *Satan has asked for all of you. He wants to test you all as a farmer separates wheat. v32 However, I have prayed for you, Simon. I have prayed that your *faith would not fail. And when you come back to me, support your brothers.’
v33 Peter answered, ‘*Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you. I am willing even to die with you.’
v34 Jesus answered him, ‘Peter, I tell you this. The *cock will call out in the morning. But before that, you will say three times that you do not know me.’
v35 Then Jesus said to the *apostles, ‘I sent you out without purses, bags or *sandals. Did you need anything?’
‘Nothing,’ they answered.
v36 Jesus said this to them. ‘But now if you have a purse, take it with you. If you have a bag, take that as well. If you do not have a sword, buy one. Sell your coat if necessary. v37 Do this because of what the *scripture says. It says, “They considered him to be a criminal.” I tell you that this must happen to me. What the *scripture says about me will happen.’
v38 The *disciples said, ‘Look, *Lord. Here are two swords.’
He replied, ‘That is enough.’
Verses 7-13 ‘The day of *unleavened bread’ was an unusual expression. Matthew and Mark say that this was the first day of *unleavened bread (Matthew 26:17; Mark 14:12). Probably it means the day when the *Jews removed all *yeast from their houses. They had to do this before the *Passover.
This was on 13th Nisan. On that same day, they killed the animals for the *Passover meal. They ate lambs (young sheep) each *Passover to remember that first *Passover. This would be in the early evening. To the *Jews, the day began in the evening. So, in the *Jewish calendar, the day had become 14th Nisan. They ate the meal that same evening. This *Passover meal was a family or small group meal.
The 15th Nisan was the first actual day of the *feast of *unleavened bread. That day was a special day. The rules for that day were the same as for the *Sabbath (Leviticus 23:3-14). At the end of the *feast of *unleavened bread, there was another special day. That day would be the 21st day of Nisan. Sometimes people called these days special *Sabbaths. They were in addition to the normal *Sabbath days unless the 15th was a *Sabbath day. On the 15th Nisan there would be another ‘*Passover’ meal. This was the meal that the *Pharisees referred to in John 18:28.
Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare for their *Passover meal. They wanted to know where to prepare it. Jesus had kept his plans secret. Only he knew where he would eat the meal with his 12 *apostles. Perhaps this was to avoid an early arrest. Judas could not have known the place. Jesus told Peter and John to go into the city. There they must follow the man who carried a jug of water. It was not normal for a man to carry a jug of water. Women usually went to fetch water. The two *apostles went into the city and they met this man. Jesus knew that this man would fetch water. He knew that the *apostles would meet the man at that moment. This could not have been by chance. But probably it was not by a previous arrangement.
Peter and John followed the man to the house as Jesus had told them. They asked the master of the house where the guest room was. He showed them the large upper room. The room was upstairs. Those stairs would have been on the outside of the building. There the two *apostles prepared for the meal.
Verses 14-16 The *apostles gathered with Jesus for the *Passover meal. They had to wait for the correct time. That was when they could see the first three stars in the night sky. Also, a silver *trumpet sounded three times in the *temple area. Then the meal could start.
Before the meal, Jesus washed the feet of the 12 *apostles (John 13:1-20). Then Jesus sat down with them. To ‘sit’ here means to lie down on their left sides with their feet away from the table. They would lie on mats. At the original *Passover, the people had to be ready to go. They stood and they ate the meal in a hurry (Exodus 12:11). Now the *Jews were free and so they could lie down. They could enjoy the meal and relax.
Jesus really wanted to eat this meal with the *apostles. This was the last opportunity that he had to eat the *Passover with them. He knew that, in just a few hours, he would die. The death of the *Passover *lamb was the price of freedom for the people of *Israel. The death of Jesus was the price of freedom and life for those people who believe in him. Jesus would not eat the *Passover again on earth. But he looked forward to the great *feast in God’s *kingdom.
Verses 17-20 The *Passover meal had a traditional form. The meal included a supper at which they ate the *lamb. At certain parts of the meal, the leader would pass round 4 cups of wine. Two of these would be before the supper and two would be after the supper.
Jesus took one of the first two cups of wine. He gave thanks to God, as the leader would usually do. Then he passed the cup round to the *apostles. Again, he told them that this would be his last meal before his death. He would not drink wine with them again until that *feast in God’s *kingdom.
At the end of the supper, the leader would take some bread and he would break it. He would give thanks to God. Then he would pass the broken pieces of bread to the other people. Jesus took the bread and he broke it. He told them that this bread meant his body. He would give his body on their behalf. From then on, his *disciples should break bread to remember Jesus. Then he took the cup of wine that they would drink after supper. He gave thanks to God because of it. This was the third of the 4 cups of wine. He passed the cup to his *apostles. He told them all to drink from it. Then Jesus told his *apostles that God was making a new promise. Jeremiah had said a long time ago that God would do this (Jeremiah 31:31-34). God promised to forgive his people’s *sins. Jesus told them that he would die. He would give his blood on their behalf and on behalf of many people. This is how God can forgive our *sins. We can be free from the punishment that we deserve because of our *sins. We need to believe in Jesus and we must ask God to forgive us.
Christians break bread and drink wine together to remember Jesus. We remember that he died on our behalf. Also, we remember that he rose up from death again. The bread that we break reminds us of the body of Christ. The wine that we pour out reminds us of the blood of Christ. Jesus asked that we should do this (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
Verses 21-23 John was on the right side of Jesus. The most important guest would be on the left side of the leader. But in this company, nobody was more important than the rest. It seems that Judas had this most important position. During the meal, Jesus said that one of them would hand him over to his enemies.
Jesus told them that he would die. His death was in God’s plan. But the man who handed Jesus over would be responsible for his actions. That man would suffer because of what he did.
They were all worried about this. Each of them asked whether it was him. That man would be the man who put bread into the dish at the same time as Jesus (Matthew 26:23). Peter signalled to John. And John asked Jesus who it would be. It would be the *disciple to whom Jesus passed a piece of bread. The leader would pass the piece of bread to the person on his left side. Jesus passed the piece of bread to Judas. Soon after that, *Satan took control of Judas (John 13:27). Jesus told Judas to go in order to do what he must do. Judas went out but the other *apostles did not know why (see Matthew 26:1-25; Mark 14:18-21; John 13:21-30).
Verses 24-27 This was the last time that Jesus would eat with his *apostles. He had told them that soon his enemies would kill him. One of the *apostles would give Jesus to his enemies. These things should have mattered much more to them than their thoughts about themselves. But the *apostles thought that the *kingdom would come soon. Jesus would be the king. So, at this last supper the *apostles argued about which of them would be the most important.
The nature of Christ’s *kingdom is different from the nature of *kingdoms in this world. Here kings rule with authority and the people must serve them. The leaders call themselves friends of the people. They make themselves important. They consider themselves superior to other people.
The most important people in Christ’s *kingdom are those people who make themselves as servants. This attitude is the opposite of the world’s attitude. In this world, the person who sits at the table is more important than the servant. However Jesus, the *Lord of all things, came as a servant. Earlier, Jesus had washed the feet of his *apostles (John 13:4-14). That was the task of a servant. Christ had served them as a servant and he urged his *disciples to act in the same manner too.
Verses 28-30 The *apostles had been loyal to Jesus. They had been with him through all the difficulties of his work. Except for Judas, they had proved themselves good *disciples of Jesus. So, Jesus encouraged them. Even as the Father had given a *kingdom to Jesus, so he would give a great honour to them. Jesus did not mean that they would receive a *kingdom on this earth. The *kingdom that he will give to them is his own. They will enjoy the future with Jesus in his *kingdom. They will dine at the king’s table. They will have responsible jobs in that *kingdom.
Verses 31-34 Already *Satan had achieved his purpose with Judas. *Satan wanted also to cause Simon Peter to lose his *faith in Jesus. *Satan does not have the authority to do what he wants. He has to ask God to allow him to do it. *Satan can go no further than God allows.
The word ‘you’ in verse 31 is in the plural. Not only did *Satan want Peter, but also he wanted all the *apostles. However, Jesus had prayed on Peter’s behalf. Jesus did not pray that *Satan would not test Peter. He prayed that Peter would not fail the tests. He knew that Peter would fail at first. But Jesus was confident that Peter would succeed in the end.
Peter would fail but he would come back to Jesus. His *faith and love for Jesus would be even stronger than before. All the *apostles would run away (Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27). They would be afraid for their lives. When he came back, Peter must support the other *disciples. He would become a leader among them.
Peter did not understand how serious the situation was. He was a bold and strong person. But he did not know how weak he would be. He was ready to go to prison on behalf of Jesus. He was even willing to die for Jesus. That was what Peter said. But what actually happened was too hard for him. Peter was not as strong as he thought.
Jesus knew all that would happen to him and to the *apostles. Jesus told Peter what he (Peter) would do that same night. Peter would say that he did not know Jesus. Before the *cock called out in the morning, Peter would say that three times. However, Peter insisted that he would not do this. He said that he was ready to die with Jesus. And the other *apostles said the same things (Matthew 26:35; Mark 14:31).
Verses 35-38 When Jesus sent the *disciples out to *preach, they did not take anything with them (10:1-12). The people to whom they went looked after them. In those days, there were no special dangers for them as they went. But from this time on, their experience would be very different. They would need to provide for themselves. They would need a purse, a bag and a sword. Jesus was not encouraging them to fight (22:49-51). He mentioned the sword to emphasise that the lives of the *disciples would be in real danger. They would need to look after themselves.
Jesus told them that his enemies would arrest him. They would take him as if he were a criminal (Isaiah 53:12). Jesus would die with criminals. But in his death, he would take away the *sins of many people. All that the *scriptures said about him would happen.
The *apostles did not understand what Jesus meant. They said that they had two swords. Jesus replied that this was enough. Jesus did not mean that two swords were enough. He meant that they had said enough about this matter.
In the garden – Luke 22:39-45
v39 As he usually did, Jesus went out of the city to the *Mount of Olives. And his *disciples followed him. v40 When Jesus arrived at the place, he said to them, ‘There will be a test for you. So, pray that you do not fail.’ v41 Jesus went beyond them about the distance that a person could throw a stone. He knelt and he prayed. v42 He said, ‘Father, if it is possible in your purposes, take this *cup from me. But I do not pray for what I want. Do what you want.’ v43 Then an *angel from heaven appeared to him and he gave strength to Jesus. v44 Jesus was in terrible pain. He prayed even harder. And from his skin came blood that fell onto the ground. v45 Jesus got up from his prayer and he came to his *disciples. But he found that, because of their deeply sad feelings, they were asleep.
Verses 39-45 At the *Mount of Olives, there is the garden called Gethsemane. It was to this garden that Jesus went (Matthew 26:36; Mark 14:26). Often Jesus went to this garden therefore Judas knew where to find him. Jesus did not change his habit to avoid Judas. And he knew that Judas would come with the crowd from the chief priests. When Jesus and his *disciples got there, Jesus warned them. He said that the devil would test them. So, he told them to pray that they would not fail the test.
Jesus took three of the *disciples a bit further. They were Peter, James and John. He asked them to watch and to pray with him. He told them about the extreme strain that he felt. Then he went a little further by himself (Matthew 26:36-39; Mark 14:33-35). People usually stood to pray. On this sad and special occasion, Jesus knelt. He prayed to God. He knew about the awful death that he would suffer. This would not be an ordinary death. He called this the ‘cup’, which refers to the anger of God against *sin. Jesus would die because of the *sins of all people. God would put everybody’s *sins on Jesus. And he would carry these *sins away (1 Peter 2:24). By that means, God would forgive everyone who truly trusts him. However, we must confess our *sins to him, and we must invite Jesus into our lives (Acts 2:37-38; Acts 3:19).
Jesus knew that he would suffer the punishment because of all our *sins. He was in such pain because of this. Therefore, he asked God his Father to take this ‘cup’ away from him if it was possible. But there was no other way to remove our *sin. So, Jesus was ready to suffer and to die. That was what God wanted.
An *angel came to support Jesus. Jesus knew extreme pain in his mind and spirit. Here was a real struggle for Jesus. He had to overcome it. His prayer was so serious that blood fell to the ground from him.
Then he went back to the *disciples but they were asleep. They were so sad and tired. He spoke to Peter. He said, ‘You could not watch with me for one hour.’ Jesus went away and he prayed the same kind of prayer two more times (Matthew 26:42-44; Mark 14:37-41). Each time, when he came to the *disciples, they were asleep.
The arrest of Jesus – Luke 22:46-53
v46 Jesus said to them, ‘Do not sleep. Wake up. Pray that you will not fail this test.’
v47 While Jesus was speaking, a crowd arrived. The man called Judas, one of the 12 *apostles, led them. He came close to Jesus so that he could kiss him. v48 Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, with a kiss you are handing the Son of Man over to his enemies.’
v49 The people near Jesus saw what was happening. They asked him, ‘*Lord, should we use our swords to fight?’ v50 And one of them struck one of the chief priest’s servants. He cut off the servant’s right ear.
v51 But Jesus answered, ‘Allow this to happen.’ Then he touched the servant’s ear and he cured him.
v52 Those people who came to arrest Jesus were chief priests, *temple guards, and other leaders. Jesus said to them, ‘You have come here with swords and heavy sticks. It is as if you have come to arrest a thief. v53 I was with you in the *temple every day, and you did not arrest me. However, this is your time and now darkness rules.’
Verses 46-51 Luke records just one occasion when Jesus came back to the *disciples. He told them to wake up and pray. In fact, he returned to them three times. On the last occasion, he told them that they could sleep (Matthew 26:45; Mark 14:41). In other words, the time when they had to watch with Jesus had ended. However, really they must get up now because Judas was coming with a crowd to arrest Jesus.
While Jesus spoke to the *disciples, Judas and the crowd arrived. The crowd had come from the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders of *Israel. The crowd carried swords and heavy sticks. It was dark. So, Judas had agreed to show them by a kiss which man was Jesus. Judas came and he kissed Jesus. A kiss was a normal way for friends to greet each other. Judas was one of the 12 *apostles. But this kiss was from the man who had become an enemy of Jesus.
The *disciples asked Jesus whether they should fight. Before he could answer, Peter used his sword. He cut off the right ear of the chief priest’s servant. The servant’s name was Malchus (John 18:10). Immediately Jesus told the *disciples not to fight. There was no need to fight. All that happened was in the purposes of God. Jesus could have asked for an army of *angels to rescue him. But that would have been against the *prophecies in *scripture.
He cured the servant’s ear with a touch.
In an extraordinary way, Jesus seemed to be in control of the situation.
Verses 52-53 Among the crowd, there were some of the chief priests and leaders of the people. The leaders of the people would have been members of the *Sanhedrin. The *Sanhedrin was the committee that ruled the *Jews. They came with the *temple guards to arrest Jesus. The crowd had come with swords and heavy sticks. They had prepared themselves for a fight. It was as if they had to arrest a fierce and dangerous man. Jesus had been in the *temple each day of that week. He had taught the people in public. They did not arrest him there because they were afraid of the people. They could not arrest him then because it was not God’s time. Now they arrested him away from the people and in the darkness.
Jesus knew that the time had come for him to die. In this arrest, the forces of the devil attacked the *Christ. The final battle for our *salvation had begun.
Then all of the *disciples left Jesus and they ran away (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50).
Peter denies *Christ – Luke 22:54-62
v54 The men arrested Jesus, and they led him away. They brought him into the house of the chief priest. Peter followed at a distance. v55 Some people lit a fire in the middle of the open area by the house. And they sat down by the fire. Peter sat there with them. v56 A servant girl saw him as he sat in the light of the fire. She stared at him. And she said, ‘This man was with Jesus.’
v57 But Peter denied it. He said, ‘Woman, I do not know him.’
v58 After a little time, someone else saw him. He said, ‘You are one of them.’ But Peter replied, ‘Sir, I am not.’
v59 About an hour afterwards, another man insisted. ‘Certainly this man was with him, because he is from Galilee, too.’
v60 Peter replied, ‘Sir, I do not know what you are talking about.’ Just as he spoke this, a *cock called out. v61 The *Lord turned and he looked straight at Peter. Peter remembered what the *Lord had said to him. Jesus had told him, ‘The *cock will call out in the morning. But before that, you will say three times that you do not know me.’ v62 And Peter went outside and he wept bitterly.
Verses 54-62 The crowd took Jesus first to the house of Annas (John 18:13). Annas had once been the chief priest. He was the father of Caiaphas’ wife. At that time, Caiaphas was the chief priest. Then Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas (John 18:24). It seems that the entire *Sanhedrin had come to the house of Caiaphas (Matthew 26:57; Mark 14:53).
It was a cold night. The house of Caiaphas had an open area. The servants lit a fire there to keep themselves warm.
Peter was much braver than the other *disciples were. They ran away but he followed the crowd at a distance. Also, John followed Jesus to the house. John knew the chief priest and he went in with Jesus. He arranged for Peter to come in as well (John 18:15-16). Peter came into the property and he sat with the chief priest’s servants by the fire.
The servant girl, who opened the door, recognised Peter. She was the first person to say that Peter had been with Jesus (John 18:17). During the hours that followed, two other people accused him of the same thing. The last of these had been in the garden, and he was a relative of Malchus. This man was sure that Peter was one of the *disciples (John 18:26). On each occasion, Peter denied it. Three times, he denied that he even knew Jesus.
Then a *cock called out. Peter remembered what Jesus had said (verse 34). Jesus turned and he looked across the area at Peter. Jesus was aware of what Peter had done. Then Peter went outside and he wept. Peter was so sorry because of what he had done.
Soldiers, Pilate and Herod – Luke 22:63-23
Jesus and the *Sanhedrin – Luke 22:63-71
v63 And the men that were guarding Jesus made fun of him. And they struck him. v64 They covered his eyes so that he could not see. Then they demanded, ‘*Prophesy. Tell us who is hitting you.’ v65 And they said many other things to insult him.
v66 When day came, the nation’s leaders gathered, including the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They brought Jesus to their committee. v67 They said to Jesus, ‘Tell us this. Are you the *Christ?’
Jesus replied to them. ‘If I tell you, you will not believe. v68 And if I ask you a question, you will not answer. v69 But from now on, the Son of Man will sit at the right hand of God’s power.’
v70 They all said, ‘Then are you the Son of God?’
Jesus said to them, ‘You say that I am.’
v71 And they said, ‘We do not need any more witnesses. We ourselves have heard what he said.’
Verses 63-65 There was a group of men, probably soldiers, who guarded Jesus. They held Jesus until the *Sanhedrin, the committee of the *Jews, had come together. These guards made fun of Jesus. People considered Jesus a *prophet. So the guards covered his eyes and they hit him. If Jesus was a *prophet, he should have special knowledge from God. So the guards asked him to say who had hit him. And in othe