Luke Chapter 22 - The Passion Week Continues
“Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover was approaching…. (Ch. 22:1-6)
The Passover meal was celebrated on the first day of the week long Feast of the Unleavened bread. The Passover meal itself was celebrated to commemorate the Jews’ escape from Egypt. The religious leaders were really anxious to find a way to destroy Jesus, but “they were afraid of the people”. Jerusalem would swell to 250,000 pilgrims or more, several times its normal size. Every male above the age of twelve who lived within 15 miles of the Holy City was expected to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem. Many of these people had heard of Jesus and to arrest him with the crowds around might well have started a riot. If there was anything more dangerous to the religious establishment than Jesus, so they felt it would raising the ire of the Roman army should they be blamed for instigating a riot.
Because of the sheer numbers of people coming into Jerusalem, certain elaborate preparations were made. The roads were cleared and smoothed and the tombs on the sides of the roads were whitewashed to prevent a careless traveler from accidentally coming into contact with it, rendering himself unclean.
The Passover was one of the three main holidays (feasts) celebrated by the Jews.
To the Pharisees, as luck would have it, satan entered the heart of one of the Twelve, Judas. And Judas sought an agreement with the religious leaders to betray Jesus, to have Him handed over to the religious leaders and the Temple guards. They would concoct a charge later on.
THURSDAY
“Then came the Day of the Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed..” Ch. 22:7-23)
The direction that Jesus initially gave Peter and John was simply to make ready the Passover Feast. This meant that they should acquire the lamb, have it cooked and contract for a place to eat the meal. Their response, “where do we find a room?” was answered by Jesus. He apparently had a pre-arranged agreement with a friend or follower.
The more affluent people in Jesus’ time owned homes with a second story room. This was a large room sitting on top of the larger first floor room. Commentator William Barclay describes the house as a “small box sitting on top of a larger box”. In these houses, to access the second floor room, one climbed stairs attached to the side of the house. Rabbis would contract for the use of the upper room in order to celebrate Passover with their disciples. This is exactly the planning that Jesus had done.
When they took their places at the table, Jesus positioned Himself directly in the middle (the head) of the table. To His immediate right would have sat John, the favored one. Beyond that, the arrangements are unknown. DaVinci painted the Last Supper showing the disciples sitting in chairs rather than “reclining” at the table, as the scripture clearly says. He must have claimed “artistic license”.
Besides the lamb and the Unleavened Bread (which they dipped into oil), they drank wine. A typical meal, including the Passover meal, included four glasses of wine which was diluted with water down to about 1/6 wine.
Jesus went on to explain what was going to happen. He spoke of never again enjoying a meal and wine with them until God’s kingdom has come. This is one of the requests we make of God when we pray the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus also plainly indicated that one of them at the table would betray Him. He then went on to exclaim, “Woe to that man by whom the son of Man is betrayed”. This was all God’s plan and Jesus knew it will be fulfilled.
Most importantly, He took the ancient symbols of bread and wine and made them “Sacraments”. A sacrament is a simple object that has much deeper religious meaning to an individual. He gave them instructions that from then on, when asking God to bless the food and drink, they should remember Him and what He did for us. In Christianity, the bread and wine are sacraments, reminding us of Jesus.
“Also, a dispute arose among them as to which of them was to be considered greatest” (Ch. 22:24-30)
Neither Matthew nor Mark, the other of the three synoptic gospels records this event. Jesus went on to say that unlike the Gentiles whose kings lord it over their subjects, He wanted them to follow His example and take a more servitude attitude. He was actually still teaching how He wanted them to proceed into the world, even though His earthly death was at hand. He told them, in essence, that the standards in the Kingdom of God are not the standards of this world.
“Simon, Simon, look, satan has allowed you to be sifted like wheat….” (Ch. 22:31-38)
This was Jesus’ way of saying that Simon Peter seemed to have vacillated regarding his belief in Jesus. Jesus then makes a prediction that when (not if) Peter has turned back to Jesus again, Peter should “strengthen your brothers”, meaning not only the disciples, but also all believers. Despite Peter’s protestations, Jesus told him that he would deny even knowing Jesus three times before the morning (cock crowed).
Jesus then directed His words at all the Disciples. He told them that they would be seen as lawbreakers, having been identified with Him. So He instructed them to keep a sword with them as well as a wallet.
“Jesus went out, and, as His custom was, made His way to the Mount of Olives…….” “(Ch. 22:39-46)
Jesus and all the Disciples, except Judas, went out to the Gardens at Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, outside the walled city. Jesus needed to be alone with God. These olive gardens were privately owned and the owner would have had to leave the gate unlocked in order for them to enter. Jesus asked the rest not to be tempted by satan to lose their guard and fall asleep, which is exactly what happened. This was the turning point in Jesus’ life. There would be no turning back.
Luke wrote that Jesus was praying so hard, and with the fear of the cross, that blood droplets fell from His brow. Scientific research has shown that an individual under extreme anguish can sweat blood droplets.
“While Jesus was still speaking there came a crowd, and the man called Judas……..” (Ch. 22:47-53)
The people who came to arrest Jesus included the Sanhedrin, the Jewish governing body, the Temple Captains and Judas. The traitor gave Jesus the traditional hug and kiss a student would give his rabbi. This was the pre-arranged signal for the Temple Guard to arrest Jesus. The Disciples became anxious and one of them used a sword and cut off the ear of the servant of the High Priest, Malchus. In John’s gospel, Peter is identified as the one who struck the servant.
“Then seizing Him, they led Him away and took Him into the house of the High Priest….” (Ch. 22:54-62)
The Temple guards took Jesus into custody and brought Him to the palace of Ciaphas, the High Priest. Peter and John had followed to see where they were taking Jesus. All the other disciples had long ago fled the scene. As Jesus predicted, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, the third time just as the cockpit crowed. Peter left Ciaphas’ courtyard weeping after Jesus made eye contact with him.
In Matthews account, the whole Sanhedrin were present at Ciaphas’ home. This is significant because it was against the law for the Sanhedrin to meet after dark.
“There, men who were holding Jesus mocked Him and beat Him……” (Ch. 22:63-71)
The opening words of these verses seem soft. Actually, Jesus was beaten to such a degree that Luke could not bear to describe it in more detail. The guards had the full authority of the Jewish nation as represented by the Sanhedrin, in full view of what was happening. This would not bode well for Israel.
Next, Jesus was taken to the Council of the Sanhedrin which consisted of representatives of the Chief Priests, the Elders and the Scribes. This was obviously a stacked deck in that these were the same people whom Jesus had identified as having created an unjust and non-compassionate religion. In the face of the same questions that were asked at the High Priests home, Jesus continued to tell the truth. They were out to twist His words in order to bring a charge of blasphemy.
The Passover meal was celebrated on the first day of the week long Feast of the Unleavened bread. The Passover meal itself was celebrated to commemorate the Jews’ escape from Egypt. The religious leaders were really anxious to find a way to destroy Jesus, but “they were afraid of the people”. Jerusalem would swell to 250,000 pilgrims or more, several times its normal size. Every male above the age of twelve who lived within 15 miles of the Holy City was expected to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem. Many of these people had heard of Jesus and to arrest him with the crowds around might well have started a riot. If there was anything more dangerous to the religious establishment than Jesus, so they felt it would raising the ire of the Roman army should they be blamed for instigating a riot.
Because of the sheer numbers of people coming into Jerusalem, certain elaborate preparations were made. The roads were cleared and smoothed and the tombs on the sides of the roads were whitewashed to prevent a careless traveler from accidentally coming into contact with it, rendering himself unclean.
The Passover was one of the three main holidays (feasts) celebrated by the Jews.
To the Pharisees, as luck would have it, satan entered the heart of one of the Twelve, Judas. And Judas sought an agreement with the religious leaders to betray Jesus, to have Him handed over to the religious leaders and the Temple guards. They would concoct a charge later on.
THURSDAY
“Then came the Day of the Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed..” Ch. 22:7-23)
The direction that Jesus initially gave Peter and John was simply to make ready the Passover Feast. This meant that they should acquire the lamb, have it cooked and contract for a place to eat the meal. Their response, “where do we find a room?” was answered by Jesus. He apparently had a pre-arranged agreement with a friend or follower.
The more affluent people in Jesus’ time owned homes with a second story room. This was a large room sitting on top of the larger first floor room. Commentator William Barclay describes the house as a “small box sitting on top of a larger box”. In these houses, to access the second floor room, one climbed stairs attached to the side of the house. Rabbis would contract for the use of the upper room in order to celebrate Passover with their disciples. This is exactly the planning that Jesus had done.
When they took their places at the table, Jesus positioned Himself directly in the middle (the head) of the table. To His immediate right would have sat John, the favored one. Beyond that, the arrangements are unknown. DaVinci painted the Last Supper showing the disciples sitting in chairs rather than “reclining” at the table, as the scripture clearly says. He must have claimed “artistic license”.
Besides the lamb and the Unleavened Bread (which they dipped into oil), they drank wine. A typical meal, including the Passover meal, included four glasses of wine which was diluted with water down to about 1/6 wine.
Jesus went on to explain what was going to happen. He spoke of never again enjoying a meal and wine with them until God’s kingdom has come. This is one of the requests we make of God when we pray the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus also plainly indicated that one of them at the table would betray Him. He then went on to exclaim, “Woe to that man by whom the son of Man is betrayed”. This was all God’s plan and Jesus knew it will be fulfilled.
Most importantly, He took the ancient symbols of bread and wine and made them “Sacraments”. A sacrament is a simple object that has much deeper religious meaning to an individual. He gave them instructions that from then on, when asking God to bless the food and drink, they should remember Him and what He did for us. In Christianity, the bread and wine are sacraments, reminding us of Jesus.
“Also, a dispute arose among them as to which of them was to be considered greatest” (Ch. 22:24-30)
Neither Matthew nor Mark, the other of the three synoptic gospels records this event. Jesus went on to say that unlike the Gentiles whose kings lord it over their subjects, He wanted them to follow His example and take a more servitude attitude. He was actually still teaching how He wanted them to proceed into the world, even though His earthly death was at hand. He told them, in essence, that the standards in the Kingdom of God are not the standards of this world.
“Simon, Simon, look, satan has allowed you to be sifted like wheat….” (Ch. 22:31-38)
This was Jesus’ way of saying that Simon Peter seemed to have vacillated regarding his belief in Jesus. Jesus then makes a prediction that when (not if) Peter has turned back to Jesus again, Peter should “strengthen your brothers”, meaning not only the disciples, but also all believers. Despite Peter’s protestations, Jesus told him that he would deny even knowing Jesus three times before the morning (cock crowed).
Jesus then directed His words at all the Disciples. He told them that they would be seen as lawbreakers, having been identified with Him. So He instructed them to keep a sword with them as well as a wallet.
“Jesus went out, and, as His custom was, made His way to the Mount of Olives…….” “(Ch. 22:39-46)
Jesus and all the Disciples, except Judas, went out to the Gardens at Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, outside the walled city. Jesus needed to be alone with God. These olive gardens were privately owned and the owner would have had to leave the gate unlocked in order for them to enter. Jesus asked the rest not to be tempted by satan to lose their guard and fall asleep, which is exactly what happened. This was the turning point in Jesus’ life. There would be no turning back.
Luke wrote that Jesus was praying so hard, and with the fear of the cross, that blood droplets fell from His brow. Scientific research has shown that an individual under extreme anguish can sweat blood droplets.
“While Jesus was still speaking there came a crowd, and the man called Judas……..” (Ch. 22:47-53)
The people who came to arrest Jesus included the Sanhedrin, the Jewish governing body, the Temple Captains and Judas. The traitor gave Jesus the traditional hug and kiss a student would give his rabbi. This was the pre-arranged signal for the Temple Guard to arrest Jesus. The Disciples became anxious and one of them used a sword and cut off the ear of the servant of the High Priest, Malchus. In John’s gospel, Peter is identified as the one who struck the servant.
“Then seizing Him, they led Him away and took Him into the house of the High Priest….” (Ch. 22:54-62)
The Temple guards took Jesus into custody and brought Him to the palace of Ciaphas, the High Priest. Peter and John had followed to see where they were taking Jesus. All the other disciples had long ago fled the scene. As Jesus predicted, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, the third time just as the cockpit crowed. Peter left Ciaphas’ courtyard weeping after Jesus made eye contact with him.
In Matthews account, the whole Sanhedrin were present at Ciaphas’ home. This is significant because it was against the law for the Sanhedrin to meet after dark.
“There, men who were holding Jesus mocked Him and beat Him……” (Ch. 22:63-71)
The opening words of these verses seem soft. Actually, Jesus was beaten to such a degree that Luke could not bear to describe it in more detail. The guards had the full authority of the Jewish nation as represented by the Sanhedrin, in full view of what was happening. This would not bode well for Israel.
Next, Jesus was taken to the Council of the Sanhedrin which consisted of representatives of the Chief Priests, the Elders and the Scribes. This was obviously a stacked deck in that these were the same people whom Jesus had identified as having created an unjust and non-compassionate religion. In the face of the same questions that were asked at the High Priests home, Jesus continued to tell the truth. They were out to twist His words in order to bring a charge of blasphemy.