Luke 22
Judas’ Decision to Betray Jesus
22:1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching.
There were seven feasts of Israel which the Jews were commanded to attend. There were four spring feasts and three fall feasts. The four spring feasts were Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost. Jesus would die on Passover, be buried on Unleavened Bread, be raised from the dead on First Fruits, and the church would begin fifty days later on Pentecost.
The three fall feasts were Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. Jesus will rapture believers out of the world on Trumpets. Israel will recognize Jesus as their Messiah on the Day of Atonement. All nations will celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles during the Millennial Kingdom.
22:2 The chief priests and the experts in the law were trying to find some way to execute Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.
The religious leaders were planning to murder their own Messiah.
22:3 Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve.
Judas was more than just demon possessed. He was possessed by Satan himself. Judas allowed Satan to enter into his mind and control him. Just as believers can be filled with the Holy Spirit, unbelievers can be filled with demonic spirits.
22:4 He went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers of the temple guard how he might betray Jesus, handing him over to them.
Judas was a zealot. He was not interested in a Messiah who would die for the sins of the world. He desired a messiah who would conquer Rome and establish Israel as an independent nation.
22:5 They were delighted and arranged to give him money.
Judas was paid thirty pieces of silver. Under the Mosaic Law, this was restitution for a dead slave.
22:6 So Judas agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus when no crowd was present.
The Jewish religious leaders were afraid of the crowds. They wanted to arrest Jesus in a remote and quiet place.
The Passover
22:7 Then the day for the feast of Unleavened Bread came, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.
Jesus was the Passover Lamb. He would be sacrificed on this day. The Jewish day began on Friday night as soon as the third star could be seen from the sky.
22:8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us to eat.”
Peter and John were to prepare the sacrifice.
22:9 They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare it?”
Jesus did not own any property.
22:10 He said to them, “Listen, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters, 22:11 and tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ 22:12 Then he will show you a large furnished room upstairs. Make preparations there.” 22:13 So they went and found things just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
According to church tradition, the owner was the father of John Mark. John Mark was a young man at this time, perhaps even a teenager. He would write the Gospel of Mark.
The Lord’s Supper
22:14 Now when the hour came, Jesus took his place at the table and the apostles joined him.
Usually, the father would host the Passover. If there was a guest at the Passover, then the guest might be asked to host it.
22:15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
Jesus predicted His suffering once again. Jesus was to host His final Passover on earth.
22:16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
When the Millennial Kingdom begins, Jesus will once again celebrate the Passover with His disciples.
22:17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves. 22:18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
Jesus did not drink the last cup of the Passover. He will drink the last cup with His disciples when He returns to establish the Millennial Kingdom. This means that Jesus will have to raise Himself and His disciples from the dead in order to keep this promise.
22:19 Then he took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
The unleavened bread represented the sinless physical body of Jesus. This body was to be broken for the atonement of sins. The Greek word for "is" is ἐστιν (estin), a present active indicative verb, meaning that the bread was presently and continually existing as a symbol of Christ's body. This disputes the doctrine of Catholic transubstantiation and Lutheran consubstantiation, because Christ had not died yet. John 6 cannot be used to support these two false views, because Jesus was not talking about the communion. See John 6 for more details on this teaching.
22:20 And in the same way he took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
The wine represented the blood of Christ which would be used for the atonement of Jesus.
A Final Discourse
22:21 “But look, the hand of the one who betrays me is with me on the table.
One of the twelve disciples would betray the Son of God by handing Him over to evil men.
22:22 For the Son of Man is to go just as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”
Judas was warned. He was given another opportunity to repent and change his mind.
22:23 So they began to question one another as to which of them it could possibly be who would do this.
All of the disciples knew in their hearts that they were also capable of betraying Jesus.
22:24 A dispute also started among them over which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.
The disciples were full of ambition. They were desirous of great authority in the Millennial Kingdom.
22:25 So Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’
The human viewpoint of the Greco-Roman world craved wealth, fame, power, and authority in the satanic world system.
22:26 Not so with you; instead the one who is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the one who serves.
The divine viewpoint of the Word of God is that the greatest leaders are those who desire to serve God.
22:27 For who is greater, the one who is seated at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
Human viewpoint would answer that the greatest one is the one who is seated at the head of the table. Divine viewpoint would answer that the greatest one is the one who serves Christ by serving others. Alexander the Great plundered, raped, and killed millions. Human viewpoint calls him “great.” Jesus died for the sins of millions, but the world uses His name as a curse word.
22:28 “You are the ones who have remained with me in my trials.
The twelve disciples went through some tough times with Jesus.
22:29 Thus I grant to you a kingdom, just as my Father granted to me,
Jesus will grant the disciples a place of authority in the Millennial Kingdom.
22:30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
During the Millennial Kingdom, the twelve disciples will literally rule over the twelve tribes of Israel. David will be King of Israel. Gentile believers will co-reign with Christ over the Gentile nations. All nations will worship together at the Feast of Tabernacles.
22:31 “Simon, Simon, pay attention! Satan has demanded to have you all, to sift you like wheat,
Just as Satan asked God for permission to sift Job, Satan asked to sift Peter as well. Satan went after the leader of the disciples.
22:32 but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Peter will deny Christ, but Christ will restore fellowship with him.
22:33 But Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!”
Peter was the most courageous of the disciples. He even had the courage to walk on water.
22:34 Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know me.”
Jesus predicted that even the most courageous disciple would deny Jesus three times.
22:35 Then Jesus said to them, “When I sent you out with no money bag, or traveler’s bag, or sandals, you didn’t lack anything, did you?” They replied, “Nothing.”
Jesus sent the disciples out on a training mission. The purpose of this mission was to train the disciples to trust God and take the gospel to all nations.
22:36 He said to them, “But now, the one who has a money bag must take it, and likewise a traveler’s bag too. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one.
Once Jesus leaves, Satan will concentrate his attacks on the disciples. Satan will use the sword in an attempt to squash the spread of Christianity.
22:37 For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me is being fulfilled.”
This was a prophecy from Isaiah 53. Jesus would be crucified with two other sinners.
22:38 So they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” Then he told them, “It is enough.”
These “swords” were short, dagger-like instruments. Many people in the culture carried these knives and used them for many practical uses. Jesus had enough of this talk.
On the Mount of Olives
22:39 Then Jesus went out and made his way, as he customarily did, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.
After the Passover meal, Jesus and his disciples went to the Mount of Olives to pray.
22:40 When he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”
Satan was working heavily on the disciples that night. Jesus asked them to pray so that they would not be tempted by Satan.
22:41 He went away from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed,
God the Son prayed to God the Father. Prayer was a ritual to the Jews, but it was communication with God the Father for Jesus.
22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Yet not my will but yours be done.”
The cup of wrath contained all of the sins of the world. Drinking from this cup would also separate the Son from the triune nature of the Father and Holy Spirit. His human nature naturally shrank from this, although his divinity willingly submitted to it.
22:43 [Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
The disciples were too sleepy to stay awake and talk to Jesus during His preparation of taking the sins of the world upon Himself. Therefore, God the Father sent an angel to talk to Him.
22:44 And in his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.]
Jesus was suffering possibly from hematidrosis which is the effusion of blood in one’s perspiration. This condition can be caused by extreme anguish or physical strain, sometimes to the point of death.
22:45 When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, exhausted from grief.
Notice that the disciples were exhausted from sadness. The news of Jesus at Passover distressed them greatly.
22:46 So he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you will not fall into temptation!”
Satan was working on the disciples. The disciples needed to ask God the Father for divine strength to battle the spiritual temptation that they were about to face.
Betrayal and Arrest
22:47 While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd appeared, and the man named Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He walked up to Jesus to kiss him.
The crowd was the Temple guard led by Judas. Judas betrayed the Son of God with a kiss.
22:48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
Jesus gave Judas another opportunity to repent.
22:49 When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we use our swords?”
Jesus did not need the disciple’s swords. One angel killed 185,000 Assyrians with just a thought. Jesus could have called a legion of angels to protect Him. Jesus could have spoken a word and sent them all to the Lake of Fire. He allowed these evil men to arrest Him.
22:50 Then one of them struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his right ear.
The other gospels recorded Peter as the swordsman. Peter was aiming for the head, but being a professional fishermen, Peter missed the head and cut off the ear. Peter was the most courageous disciple.
22:51 But Jesus said, “Enough of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
This was a tremendous testimony to the arresting party. They should have fallen down and worshipped Jesus.
22:52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders who had come out to get him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs like you would against an outlaw?
Jesus condemned the arresting party for their cowardice in arresting Him at night.
22:53 Day after day when I was with you in the temple courts, you did not arrest me. But this is your hour, and that of the power of darkness!”
The arresting party was being moved by Satan himself.
Jesus’ Condemnation and Peter’s Denials
22:54 Then they arrested Jesus, led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance.
It was early in the morning. Jesus was taken to the home of the High Priest. Peter was the courageous disciple. While the others ran away, Peter returned and secretly followed Jesus.
22:55 When they had made a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.
Peter sat down around a campfire with many strangers.
22:56 Then a slave girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man was with him too!”
The slave girl identified Peter as a disciple of Jesus. This accusation surprised Peter and placed him in jeopardy of being arrested.
22:57 But Peter denied it: “Woman, I don’t know him!”
This was Peter’s first denial.
22:58 Then a little later someone else saw him and said, “You are one of them too.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”
This was Peter’s second denial.
22:59 And after about an hour still another insisted, “Certainly this man was with him, because he too is a Galilean.” 22:60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.
This was Peter’s third denial.
22:61 Then the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”
The gaze of Jesus reminded Peter that Jesus was omniscient.
22:62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Both Judas and Peter betrayed Jesus. Only Peter wept. This was the man who Jesus would choose to lead the disciples.
22:63 Now the men who were holding Jesus under guard began to mock him and beat him.
Satan hates Jesus. He had his minions do their worst to Jesus.
22:64 They blindfolded him and asked him repeatedly, “Prophesy! Who hit you?”
Man is so totally depraved and evil that if given the opportunity, they will mock the prophetic attributes of Jesus.
22:65 They also said many other things against him, reviling him.
Man is so totally depraved and evil that he will insult and revile the character of Jesus. Revile means to speak negative things against Jesus.
22:66 When day came, the council of the elders of the people gathered together, both the chief priests and the experts in the law. Then they led Jesus away to their council
Passover began at night. When day broke, they took Jesus to the Sanhedrin for trial.
22:67 and said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe,
The High Priest asked Jesus point blank if he was the Messiah. If Jesus confirmed to them that He was the Messiah, then they still would not believe Him.
22:68 and if I ask you, you will not answer.
If Jesus asked them probing questions, then the Jewish religious leaders would not answer.
22:69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
The Son of Man was predicted by Daniel to eliminate the Gentile nations and usher in the Millennial Kingdom. Jesus informed the Jewish leaders by oath that He was called to accomplish this purpose. Jesus is currently sitting at the right hand of God the Father, waiting to take over the world.
22:70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” He answered them, “You say that I am.”
In the Greek language, Jesus affirmed in the strongest way possible that He was both God and man.
22:71 Then they said, “Why do we need further testimony? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!”
The Jews needed two witnesses to testify against Jesus. According to Jewish law, the accused could not testify against himself.