Luke Chapter 22

At a Glance

  • Luke 22 centers on the Passover meal with the twelve, Judas’ betrayal, and the mounting tension between Jesus and the Jewish leaders who seek to kill him.
  • Crucially, the chapter ends with Jesus foretelling Peter’s denial and the spiritual warfare surrounding his imminent suffering.
  • This chapter is part of Luke’s Passion Narrative, set in the last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
  • Literarily, Luke uses a careful sequence: conspiracy by leaders, deliberate preparation by Jesus’ followers, a transformative meal, and a prophetic realism about discipleship.
  • - Betrayal and divine sovereignty: Judas’ betrayal is real, yet it unfolds within God’s salvific plan.

Luke 22 centers on the Passover meal with the twelve, Judas’ betrayal, and the mounting tension between Jesus and the Jewish leaders who seek to kill him. The chapter opens with the Passover drawing near, the chief priests and scribes plotting to kill Jesus, and Satan entering Judas to betray him. The conspiracy progresses as Jesus directs his disciples to prepare the Passover in an upper room, signaling a pivot from the old Passover to the new covenant inaugurated in his own suffering. The supper itself becomes a dramatic enactment: Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, presenting the bread as his body and the cup as the new covenant in his blood, given for them. The teaching and intimate moment at the table are followed by prophetic warnings about denial, betrayal, and the inability of the disciples to understand fully what lies ahead. Jesus speaks of a forthcoming trial, the shaking of the apostles’ faith, and the need for humble service, including a striking reversal of leadership as he tells them that true greatness comes through service.

Crucially, the chapter ends with Jesus foretelling Peter’s denial and the spiritual warfare surrounding his imminent suffering. Luke emphasizes the paradox of triumph through suffering and the call to communal courage, unity, and mutual support as the group faces a defining moment in redemptive history.

This chapter is part of Luke’s Passion Narrative, set in the last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Written in a late first-century context, Luke 22 blends historical memory with theological interpretation. The Passover frame situates Jesus within Israel’s redemptive chronology, showing him as the fulfillment of what the festival anticipated. The betrayal narrative links to the broader theme of human failure and divine initiative: human treachery coexists with God’s saving plan, culminating in the crucifixion and resurrection.

Literarily, Luke uses a careful sequence: conspiracy by leaders, deliberate preparation by Jesus’ followers, a transformative meal, and a prophetic realism about discipleship. The supper on the eve of crucifixion becomes the institution of a sacred rite that fosters community and remembrance across generations. The chapter also mirrors the Gospel’s emphasis on communal leadership and service (the foot-washing motif appears later in John’s Gospel, but Luke’s emphasis on shared meals and mutual support echoes this ethic). In sum, Luke 22 functions as the hinge between Jesus’ public ministry and the costly path to the cross, while inserting the early church’s liturgical and communal practices.

- Betrayal and divine sovereignty: Judas’ betrayal is real, yet it unfolds within God’s salvific plan.

- The Passover transformed: Jesus reinterprets the Passover as the institution of the Lord’s Supper, signaling the new covenant in his blood.

- Humble leadership and service: Jesus teaches that greatness in the kingdom is expressed through servant-hearted love, not domination.

- Suffering anticipated: Peter’s denial and the soon-coming trial remind readers that discipleship will involve weakness as well as faithfulness.

- Community formation through shared meals: The supper binds the disciples in memory, unity, and mission.

- Reframe the Lord’s Supper as a proclamation: View Communion as a continuing invitation to remember Christ’s central act of self-giving for others.

- Embrace servant leadership: In workplaces, families, and churches, model leadership through humility, service, and accountability rather than exerting control.

- Navigate betrayal and disappointment: The reality of betrayal in human relationships invites honesty, forgiveness, and reliance on God’s grace.

- Prepare for trials with intentional discipleship: Cultivate habits—prayer, Scripture immersion, and communal accountability—that strengthen resolve when pressure mounts.

- Recognize the divine purpose in hardship: Trust that Christ’s path through suffering opens the doorway to salvation and to the empowerment of the church for mission.

- Luke 9:23–24 (discipleship and self-denial)

- Luke 24:36–49 (post-resurrection commissioning)

- 1 Corinthians 11 (the Lord’s Supper in Christian practice)

- John 13 (Jesus’ foot-washing example of servanthood)

- Jesus (for the sacred meal and the redefinition of covenant)

- Peter (to explore zeal, failure, and restoration)

- Judas (to reflect on temptation and complicity)

- Paul (to consider the post-resurrection implications for church practice)

- Priestly figures in Luke (to reflect on leadership and authority)

Key Themes

Betrayal and divine sovereignty: Judas’ betrayal is real, yet it unfolds within God’s salvific plan.The Passover transformed: Jesus reinterprets the Passover as the institution of the Lord’s Supper, signaling the new covenant in his blood.Humble leadership and service: Jesus teaches that greatness in the kingdom is expressed through servant-hearted love, not domination.Suffering anticipated: Peter’s denial and the soon-coming trial remind readers that discipleship will involve weakness as well as faithfulness.

Chapter Text

1

Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

2

And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

3

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

4

And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

5

And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

6

And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

7

Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

8

And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

9

And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?

10

And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.

11

And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

12

And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.

13

And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

14

And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

15

And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

16

For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

17

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

18

For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

19

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

20

Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

21

But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

22

And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

23

And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

24

And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

25

And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

26

But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

27

For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

28

Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.

29

And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

30

That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

31

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

33

And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

34

And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

35

And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

36

Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

37

For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

38

And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

39

And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

40

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

41

And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

43

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

44

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

45

And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

46

And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

47

And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

48

But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

49

When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

50

And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

51

And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

52

Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

53

When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

54

Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.

55

And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

56

But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

57

And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

58

And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

59

And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.

60

And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

61

And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

62

And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

63

And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.

64

And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?

65

And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

66

And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,

67

Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:

68

And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.

69

Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.

70

Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.

71

And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

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