Luke 22:1

Luke 22:1

Luke 22:1 situates us in the final Passover preparations as the “feast of unleavened bread” draws near. In Jewish life, Passover is a climactic festival recounting deliverance from Egypt, a festival deeply bound to memory, sacrifice, and national identity. The precise note that it is the Passover “drew nigh” signals the convergence of divine plan and human response. The religious leadership’s plotting, which will unfold in subsequent verses, intensifies as the city fills with pilgrims and the temple courts bustle with commerce, prayers, and debates. For Luke, this moment stakes the tension between God’s gracious salvation history and human resistance to that grace. The Passover sets the backdrop for Jesus’ own redemptive mission—the true Passover Lamb who will be slain for the sins of the world.

Passover is a powerful typology in Luke’s Gospel. The unleavened bread and the sacrificial lamb point forward to Jesus’ atoning death. Luke foregrounds the irony that the festival celebrating deliverance from bondage becomes the setting where opposition to Jesus intensifies. The sacred calendar thus frames the drama: God’s saving act through Jesus is at the heart of the season. Theologically, this verse anchors the rhythm of salvation history—God’s initiative, Israel’s response, and the anticipation of fulfillment in Christ.

Modern readers can reflect on how God works through ordinary religious calendars and moments of celebration. The season of Lent or Easter, for example, invites intentional reflection on sin, rescue, and gratitude. Practically, consider using festival seasons to re-engage with Scripture, family worship, or community service—aligning our schedules with themes of deliverance and grace. Also, recognize that even holy times can become sites of conflict or misunderstanding; respond with humility and seek God’s perspective, not merely human agendas. The Passover’s memory invites us to remember our own deliverance—whether from fear, guilt, or broken relationships—and to celebrate with gratitude and renewed faith.

Cross-References: Exodus 12:1-14; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Luke 22:15; John 1:29; Hebrews 4:14-16