Luke 22:14
And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
Luke 22:14
Luke 22:14 states that at the hour, Jesus sat down with the twelve apostles. The “hour” refers to the appointed time of Passover, which Jesus had previously indicated as significant: the moment of His imminent suffering and the inauguration of the new covenant. The act of sitting down together signals unity, intimacy, and the solemnity of the moment. The communal posture around a table emphasizes relationship among Jesus and His closest followers. This setting also marks a turning point: Jesus’s ministry on earth is moving toward its climactic acts of sacrifice, love, and instruction for the future church. The phrase “the twelve apostles” underscores the chosen group who will become foundational to the church’s leadership and mission.
The passage foregrounds the centrality of communal meal in salvation history—the Last Supper as the pivot where Jesus reveals the meaning of His suffering and the new covenant in His blood. The presence of the apostles around Jesus at the table is a symbol of the community of faith through all ages that continues to gather around the Lord’s table to remember and proclaim Christ’s sacrifice. It also foreshadows the eternal fellowship of the Kingdom where Jesus and His people share in the feast.
Today, this invites believers to cultivate regular, meaningful communal worship around the Lord’s Supper or communion. Treat gatherings as sacred moments to renew allegiance to Christ, to confess, to receive grace, and to recommit to love one another. Encourage family or small-group rituals that mirror the intimate gathering—prayer, scripture reading, and shared meals. In practical terms, make room for discipleship moments around the table: teach children the meaning of communion, invite newcomers into the smaller circle of faith, and ensure hospitality is part of your regular practice. The core is to center life around Christ, recognizing that fellowship around Him is where transformation happens.
Cross-References: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; John 13:1-5; Revelation 3:20