Tyndale Open Study NotesLuke 22

The religious leaders who had been plotting against Jesus (see 19:47) found their opportunity when Judas Iscariot approached them with an offer to betray Jesus.

The Passover meal was held on the 15th of Nisan (March~April) in the Jewish calendar and was immediately followed by the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:1–20; 23:15; 34:18; Deuteronomy 16:1–8). This feast is sometimes also called Passover.

Satan entered Judas Iscariot: See John 13:2; Acts 5:3. Earlier, Satan had tempted Jesus and had been waiting for this opportunity (Luke 4:2, 13).

temple officers: These were leaders within the temple’s own security force. The temple had its own police force to keep order and protect the sacred area.

Judas wanted the money. Judas wanted the money. John says that he was a thief and used to steal from the money bag of the disciples (John 12:6).

in the absence of a crowd: They waited until the crowds were not present. They did this because Jesus was very popular with the people.

The leaders were afraid of how the crowd might react if they arrested him in public.

Jesus celebrated the traditional Jewish Passover but transformed it with reference to his own sacrificial death as the Passover lamb. He also prepared his disciples for his coming death and the leadership role they would assume over his church.

The Passover lamb was killed at twilight (the time between sunset and darkness). The Passover meal was then eaten that same evening (see Exodus 12:6–8).

Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover: The lamb was roasted and eaten with bitter herbs and unleavened bread at the Passover meal (Exodus 12:8; Numbers 9:11–12; Deuteronomy 16:3). The bitter herbs represented the bitterness of the Israelites’ slavery in Egypt, and the unleavened bread reminded them of their hurried departure from Egypt.

a man carrying a jug of water: This was unusual because women usually carried the water.

The text does not say whether Jesus knew about the room because of his divine nature or if he had made arrangements for this room ahead of time (see also 19:30–34).

The Old Testament and later Jewish literature include numerous examples of farewells in which a dying person offers last words to intimate friends (see Gen 49:1–27; Deut 31–34; Josh 23–24; 1 Sam 12; 1 Chr 28:1–29:30). Such farewells used a standard form. The dying person, surrounded by his loved ones, comforted them and exhorted them to obey the law. He prayed and blessed them and often left behind some writings. In some cases, the departing person passed on his “spirit” to his followers or his successor (see Num 27:18; Deut 34:9; 2 Kgs 2:9–14). Each of these elements is present in Jesus’ farewell. • This section is often called the Upper Room Discourse, since the meal was taken in an “upstairs room” (Luke 22:12).

Jesus reclined at the table: The Jewish people adopted the Greek custom of reclining on couches next to tables at banquets (see study note on John 13:23).

Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples and followed the ritual order of the Passover celebration (see study note on Matthew 26:26–29).

until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God: This celebration pointed forward to the messianic banquet, the great feast in God’s kingdom (see 14:1–24). The death of Jesus as the true Passover lamb established the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 5:7). During his earthly ministry, Jesus began God’s saving rule, and God’s kingdom will be fully completed when he returns.

After taking the cup: The traditional Passover meal included four cups of wine:

• one cup was shared at the beginning blessing,

• another after the Passover explanation,

• another after the meal, and

• the last after a final psalm.

The cup Jesus took here was probably the first cup used in the Passover ceremony.

In the Old Testament, God confirmed his covenants with the blood of a sacrifice (Genesis 15:9–10; Exodus 24:8). The death of Jesus established the new covenant that God had promised to his people (Jeremiah 31:31–34).

it has been determined: Wicked men betrayed and killed Jesus, but this took place as part of God’s purposeful plan to bring salvation (see Acts 2:23).

woe to that man who betrays Him: Judas suffered guilt, judgment, and a terrible death for betraying Jesus (Matthew 27:5; Acts 1:18).

which of them should be considered the greatest: See also Mark 9:33–37 and 10:35–45.

benefactors: This translates a Greek word that refers to the practice of rulers bestowing gifts and favors on their subjects to gain loyalty and honor. Jesus contrasted this worldly style of leadership (military power, coercion, and bribery) with his own servant leadership in giving himself for others.

I am among you as one who serves: Jesus defined true leadership as serving others. This means meeting the needs of others and empowering them to be all that God has called them to be (see Mark 10:45). This idea was surprising in a culture where status and power were important.

you may eat and drink at My table: See “The Messianic Banquet” Theme Note.

judging the twelve tribes of Israel: This could be a figurative reference to the apostles’ leadership in the church. Or it could refer to their special role in the future, when God’s kingdom will be fully established on earth (compare Ephesians 2:20; Revelation 3:21; 20:4).

• Satan: See 4:2; 10:18; 11:15. Satan is the accuser of God’s people (see Job 1:7; 2:2). He would test Simon Peter and the rest of the apostles.

• has asked to sift: People would sift wheat to separate grain from the parts you do not eat using a device called a sieve. This image represents extreme testing (see Isaiah 30:28; Amos 9:9).

• all of you: The Greek here is plural. It refers to all the disciples. Jesus predicted Peter's denial and the difficult experiences of the other disciples.

when you have turned back: The you here is singular and refers to Peter's restoration after he denied Jesus.

See Acts 4:3; 5:18; 12:1–9, where Peter suffered trials and was repeatedly jailed. Church tradition relates that Peter was crucified in Rome, but his declaration of loyalty here was premature.

On Thursday evening, Jesus said that Peter would deny him before the rooster crows tomorrow morning (literally a rooster will not crow today until). This does not contradict Mark’s account: "this very night, before the rooster crows twice" (Mark 14:30). The Gospels of Luke and Matthew provide a more general account, and in Jewish tradition, the next day begins at sunset.

• the one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag: The apostles had traveled without supplies and relied on the support of other people for their missions to Israel's villages (9:3; 10:3–4). In the dangerous days to come, they would have to plan more carefully. Jesus prepared his disciples for his suffering and death, and also for the establishing of the church and the worldwide proclamation of the good news.

• a sword: Jesus was probably not telling his followers to use weapons or fight. Instead, he was speaking figuratively, warning them to prepare for a time of violent conflict and suffering.

That is enough: The disciples’ two swords were probably not enough to defend the whole group, and Jesus elsewhere rejected violence (22:49–51; Matthew 26:52). Jesus might have meant that two swords were sufficient to fulfill Isaiah 53:12. Or perhaps he meant something like, “Enough of this foolish talk, you do not understand me.”

Mount of Olives: See study note on 19:29. This was the location of the garden of Gethsemane (see Matthew 26:36; Mark 14:32).

take this cup from Me: A cup is a metaphor for experiencing either judgment or blessing (see, for example, Psalms 23:5; 75:8; 116:13; Isaiah 51:17). Jesus felt all the emotions of his humanity, including fear and anxiety.

an angel from heaven: Angels often help and encourage human beings (see Hebrews 1:14; compare 1 Kings 19:5–8; Psalm 91:11–12; Daniel 3:28; 10:16–19).

His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground: The text does not say that Jesus sweated blood, as people often think. It says that his sweat fell to the ground like blood. This probably means that, in his agony, he was sweating very heavily.

Jesus prayed in great distress, while the disciples failed to remain alert against temptation.

A kiss was a common way for friends to greet each other. Judas’s kiss made his betrayal even more clear.

He touched the man’s ear and healed him: The Gospel of John tells us that the man’s name was Malchus and that Peter was the one who cut off his ear (John 18:10). Peter probably believed that he was beginning the final battle and that God’s heavenly army was about to appear and destroy the Romans. When Jesus refused to fight, the frightened disciples ran away (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50).

outlaw: The Greek word here typically means "thief." However, the Romans used this term for violent revolutionaries who opposed Roman authority (such as Barabbas, 23:18–19). To many patriotic Jews, these revolutionaries were seen as freedom fighters. To the Romans, they were violent criminals.

the house the high priest: This home could have belonged to Caiaphas, the current high priest, or Annas, his father-in-law and a previous high priest (see study note on 3:2; John 18:12–14).

for he too is a Galilean: Peter’s way of speaking made it clear that he was from Galilee (compare Judges 12:5–6).

the Lord turned and looked at Peter: At that time, Jesus was inside the house, where the leaders were questioning him. He may have looked through a window or an open entryway (a covered space at the entrance of a house).

When their eyes met, the rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said earlier, that Peter would deny him (22:34).

began to mock Him and beat Him: See 18:32; Isaiah 50:6; 53:3–5.

Prophesy! Who hit You?: Jesus had a reputation as a prophet (4:24; 7:16, 39; 13:33; 24:19), so the soldiers mocked this claim.

• At daybreak: It was Friday morning (see study note on 22:34).

• the council of the elders … met together: The Jewish high council (the Sanhedrin) was originally made up of the Jerusalem nobility, both civil leaders and priests, with the high priest as its leader. In the time of Jesus, the Sadducees still led the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:17). But leading Pharisees also held important positions on the council (Acts 23:7).

If I tell you, you will not believe: Jesus pointed out the hypocrisy in their question. They had already decided that he was not the Christ (the Messiah, God's chosen king), so answering them would not change their minds.

Jesus referred to Psalm 110:1 (compare Luke 20:42–43). Although the Romans would crucify him, God would vindicate Jesus through his resurrection. God would exalt Jesus to his right hand (see Acts 2:33–36; compare Daniel 7:13–14). Furthermore, Jesus would be seated in the place of power as Judge. He would soon sit in judgment over those who were trying him.

• The council members clearly understood what Jesus meant in 22:69. They expected the Christ to be the Son of God and have a unique father-son relationship with God (see study notes on 1:32–33; 4:41; compare 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalms 2:7; 89:26). The Sanhedrin accused Jesus of claiming to be the Christ (compare study notes on Mark 14:62, 63–64).

• You say that I am: This was a qualified affirmation, meaning that Jesus partly agreed with their statement. He probably meant, “What you say is true, but you do not understand what ‘Christ’ means.” The council understood this as a confirmation (Luke 22:71).

Why do we need any more testimony?: The high council believed that when Jesus claimed to be the Christ and the Son of God, he was blaspheming (speaking against God). They thought this was proof of his guilt.