Luke 22:7

Luke 22:7

Luke 22:7 marks a pivotal transition: “Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed.” The date is set by the calendar as a holy moment for the people of Israel. The Passover lamb’s annual sacrifice, commemorating liberation from Egypt, becomes the backdrop for Jesus’ own crucifixion. The unleavened bread imagery underscores purity, haste, and deliverance. The phrase “must be killed” communicates inevitability in the divine plan—set in motion before the foundation of the world, yet carried out within human agency. Luke is signaling that the shouldering of sin and the redemption of humanity through the cross are inexorably tied to Israel’s festival rites. The atmosphere is electric with expectation, fear, hope, and the sense that history is turning toward a climactic moment.

Theologically, the Passover motif points to Jesus as the true Passover Lamb who will be slain for the people. Luke’s Gospel repeatedly ties Jesus’ mission to fulfillment of Scripture and festival symbolism. The Passover’s timing underscores God’s faithfulness to His promises and the decisive pivot from old covenant rituals to the new covenant enacted through Christ’s sacrifice.

Christians today can reflect on the meaning of deliverance and sacrifice. In practical terms, examine what it means to live as a people freed by grace. In our own homes and communities, celebrate deliverance from bondage—whether from fear, addiction, or broken relationships—by practicing gratitude, repentance, and generosity. Embrace the call to live with purity and haste in pursuing righteousness, recognizing that our daily choices contribute to a larger redemptive story.

Cross-References: Exodus 12:1-14; 1 Corinthians 5:7; John 1:29; Revelation 5:6; Hebrews 11:28