Luke 22 – Studies
For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read.
Passage: Luke 22:1-13: Judas’ Betrayal & Passover Preparations
A. Find Out:
- When was it, and who was doing what? v.1,2
- Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.
- What happened to Judas and so what did he do? v.3,4
- Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.
- So what was the outcome? v.5,6
- They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
- When was it and what did Jesus instruct the disciples to do? v.7,8
- Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.’
- What guidance did he give them? v.9-12
- ‘Where do you want us to prepare for it?’ they asked. 10 He replied, ‘As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks: where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.’
- And what happened? v.13
- They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
B. Think:
- How is Satan’s work seen here?
- How is Jesus seen to be conforming to Jewish life?
- How is he seen to be in complete control?
C. Comment:
All the teaching has ended. Now come the events that bring about the end. First we find in the background the religious leaders plotting to try to find some way to get rid of this teacher who sits on their doorstep attracting the crowds with his unorthodox teaching.
Next we see Judas who opens his heart and succumbs to the temptation of Satan to go to the chief priests and agree to tell them where Jesus will be when he can be arrested with no crowd around. What prompted him to do this (beyond Satan) we are not told. The fact is, he provided the key for the authorities to act against Jesus!
Then there is Jesus himself: he carries on like a good Jewish teacher and prepares, just like all the other Jews, for the feast called Passover, when a lamb was slain and eaten as a reminder of what took place before the Exodus. Presumably Jesus has already made contact with a man who has a room for them to use for the meal, but the details he gives the disciples seems to be more a word of knowledge than a pre-planned strategy. He knows what will happen because he is the Son of God and so he acts accordingly. All through the coming hours it will be the same – he knows what is happening. When the disciples go, they find it is exactly as Jesus had said.
D. Application:
- The responsibility to resist Satan’s temptations is ours. Resist!
- Rest in the knowledge that Jesus knows all, and Jesus is in control of every aspect of your life.
Passage: Luke 22:14-23: At the Last Supper
A. Find Out:
- What did Jesus say about this meal? v.14-16
- When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God.’
- What did he say about the first cup of wine? v.17,18
- After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’
- What did he say about the bread? v.19
- And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’
- What did he say about the second cup of wine? v.20
- In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
- What did he say about one of them? v.21,22
- But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!’
- How did the disciples respond? v.23
- They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
B. Think:
- What did Jesus convey to the disciples about his future?
- What point was he making with the bread?
- What point was he making with the second cup of wine?
C. Comment:
We examine here what is sometimes called Communion or the Lord’s Supper – at least its inauguration. Note first of all that Jesus is conveying to them that this will be the last time he will eat and drink with them before God’s kingdom is ushered in. The Cross is the dividing point of history and this meal signifies that.
First there is the breaking of the bread which signifies, according to Jesus his body. In John’s Gospel we find John recording Jesus speaking about being the bread of life (Jn 6:35 ). To eat from the loaf you first have to break it and take some of it. To ‘eat’ of Jesus means we have to take the truth of the Gospel and take it into ourselves, so that it becomes an integral part of our lives.
Next there is the taking of the wine which, Jesus said, represented his blood that would be poured out at the Cross. In the Old Testament sin was dealt with by an animal sacrifice. At Passover it was a spotless lamb that was killed and its blood put on the doorposts (Exo 12) and when the angel of judgement saw the blood it “Passed-Over”. All God requires of us is that we believe that the shed blood of Jesus acted in the same way and takes and covers our sin. When we believe, we are saved by the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29 ,36). Receive the bread of life and believe him. Salvation!
D. Application:
- I must receive Jesus into my innermost being.
- I must believe his death cleanses me and sets me free.
Passage: Luke 22:24-30: The disciples dispute
A. Find Out:
- What then happened with the disciples? v.24
- A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.
- What did Jesus say the Gentiles did? v.25
- Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.
- What did he say they should do? v.26
- But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.
- What did he ask, and then what did he make them realise? v.27
- For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
- What had they done, and so what was he doing? v.28,29
- You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me,
- With what result? v.30
- so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
B. Think:
- How did the disciples show they were aligned with the world?
- How did Jesus say they should be?
- For what would that be a preparation?
C. Comment:
At some point in the evening a dispute arose among the disciples as to which of them were the greatest – perhaps earlier they were arguing who should sit where. Jesus picks them up on this. John would later add in his Gospel that Jesus actually washed their feet as an example. Luke simply records part of the discussion. Jesus points out to them, that it is the way of the world (the Gentiles) to be concerned about status and position, but that has no place for them.
Look, he says, who is greater the master or the servant who waits on him at table? Obviously the master at the table. But look, he continues, I’m serving you at the table, I’m coming as a servant, so (implied) that’s what you should be like. But then he gives them a reason for this.
You’ve stood with me and you’ve seen that my Father in heaven has given me the power to exercise His rule on earth, and I’ve given you the same authority but (implied again) it’s an authority that is to be exercised as a servant here in preparation for your eternal destiny which will be to rule in heaven. Again and again, Scripture teaches that what we are and do here on earth determines what we will do in eternity. There is a place of ruling apparently possible in eternity, but it is for those who have learned to be servant-hearted here.
D. Application:
- Jesus calls us to be servants here, not great rulers.
- What I do on earth will affect my eternal role.
Passage: Luke 22:31-38: Warning for Peter
A. Find Out:
- What did Jesus say about Peter? v.31,32
- ‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’
- How did Peter reply and what was Jesus’ response? v.33,34
- But he replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’ 34 Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.’
- What did Jesus then ask them all, and with what response? v.35
- Then Jesus asked them, ‘When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?’ ‘Nothing,’ they answered.
- What did he then instruct them to do? v.36
- He said to them, ‘But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
- Why? v.37
- It is written: “And he was numbered with the transgressors”; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfilment.’
- How did the disciples respond? v.38
- The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” “That’s enough!” he replied.
B. Think:
- What does Jesus reveal about Peter’s future?
- What does he remind them about in respect of past provision?
- Why does Jesus seem to give his final instructions?
C. Comment:
These are remarkable verses which show the measure of Jesus knowledge and control over what was happening. First he reveals his knowledge of what was about to happen to Peter: Satan was about to tempt Peter. Peter was about to go through a trial that would challenge his faith and he be tempted to give up – but he won’t! It is only when Peter declares his commitment to Jesus that Jesus explains that it will involve Peter denying him three times.
We then turn to a slightly unclear episode. First Jesus asks them if they had ever lacked anything when he sent them out without provision previously. The answer is no. Very well, he says, remember that (implied), but for the time being you are going to go through a period where that sort of provision will be absent. For the next few days the events will mean that Jesus will not be there providing for them, so they need to make their own provision.
More than that, he wants them to ensure they have a sword with them – they have two. Why? Because he was always careful to ensure he perfectly fulfilled prophetic scripture about himself. Isa 53:12 spoke about him being with transgressors, so he says, let’s have the signs with us of being such. The bigger prophetic fulfilment was surely that Jesus has been written off by the religious establishment, but he wants even the detail to be right. Amazing!
D. Application:
- Jesus knows when we are going to fail him, but is still for us.
- Jesus fulfilled his Father’s plans and purposes perfectly.
Passage: Luke 22:39-46: Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
A. Find Out:
- Where did Jesus take them? v.39
- Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.
- What did he tell them to do? v.40
- On reaching the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation.’
- What did he himself do? v.41,42
- He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’
- What response did he get and how did he continue? v.43,44
- An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
- How did Jesus find the disciples? v.45
- When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.
- What did he tell them to do? v.46
- ‘Why are you sleeping?’ he asked them. ‘Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.’
B. Think:
- What does Jesus see is the prayer need of the disciples?
- What was Jesus intent in prayer?
- What was he obviously feeling at this moment?
C. Comment:
Luke has shown us so clearly in the early chapters of his Gospel that Jesus is the Son of God, but now he also shows us that he is also very much a man. Jesus was perfect God in perfect man. Here we see very much the human aspects of Jesus as he leads the disciples out to a quiet place to pray.
First of all observe Jesus’ concern for his disciples. Twice Jesus tells them to pray that they will not fall into temptation. Jesus knows the trial that is coming in the next twenty four hours and he knows the impact it is likely to have on his disciples, and so he knows that they need strength from heaven to carry them through without falling. Instead they fell asleep and hardly prayed, and later they almost all fled. Only John seems to have stayed with Jesus at the Cross.
Next observe Jesus’ own prayer. Essentially it is, “Father, let me avoid this if at all possible!” There is nothing in us that willingly embraces a horrible death and Jesus knew it would be that. Everything in him almost screams out against it, but nevertheless he prays, “yet not my will but your will be done.” In others words he’s saying, “Nevertheless Father, let’s do what we planned.” In all of this he is in utter anguish for, Son of God he may be, but he still feels as a human being and therefore he shies away at the thought of the awful events that he are coming.
D. Application:
- We NEED to pray in the face of trials. Do we?
- Jesus understands the awfulness of such trials. He’s been there!
Passage: Luke 22:47-54: Jesus Arrested
A. Find Out:
- Who approached and what happened? v.47
- While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him,
- What did Jesus say to Judas? v.48
- but Jesus asked him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’
- How did the other disciples react? v.49,50
- When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, ‘Lord, should we strike with our swords?’ 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
- But what did Jesus do? v.51
- But Jesus answered, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
- Who had come to arrest Jesus? v.52a
- Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him,
- How did Jesus challenge them? v.52b,53
- ‘Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour – when darkness reigns.’
- Yet what did they do? v.54
- Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.
B. Think:
- How was the disciples’ reaction the world’s reaction?
- How did Jesus differ?
- What was Jesus saying when he challenged those who had come?
C. Comment:
We start to move into the dark part of this Gospel now. The religious and secular leaders (v.52) come to arrest Jesus, led by Judas who is showing them the way. Already here is the dark side of humanity: Judas betraying the one he has been with for three years, the one he has seen doing such wonderful things, and the religious establishment who feel so threatened by the truth and openness of this man that they plan his death. What an indictment!
But then there are the disciples. Jesus has clearly told them what will happen but they can’t believe it and so when it does start happening they use force and violence to try to stop it.
Contrasted with these three groups – the betrayer, the threatened, the fearful unbelievers – is Jesus. First it’s as if he almost tries to stop Judas going the whole way – at least don’t use a kiss (a sign of love) if you are going to betray me. Then he uses his power to undo the harm done by the disciple’s sword. Finally, he continues to speak truth into the situation, as he has done throughout his ministry. Basically what he is doing is facing the religious leaders with their cowardliness, by saying, “I was there all the time in the open. Why didn’t you have the courage to arrest me then?
D. Application:
- Humanity is characterised by betrayal, fear and dishonesty. Tragic!
- Jesus is seen full of goodness. Wonderful. Worship him.
Passage: Luke 22:54-65: Peter’s Denial of Jesus
A. Find Out:
- What did Peter do when Jesus was taken? v.54,55
- Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them.
- Who said what to him and with what response? v.56,57
- A servant-girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, ‘This man was with him.’ 57 But he denied it. ‘Woman, I don’t know him,’ he said.
- What then happened a little later? v.58
- About an hour later another asserted, ‘Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.’
- What happened an hour later? v.59,60
- About an hour later another asserted, ‘Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.’ 60 Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the cock crowed.
- How did this all finish? v.61,62
- The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the cock crows today, you will disown me three times.’ 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
- What then happened to Jesus? v.63-65
- The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and demanded, ‘Prophesy! Who hit you?’ 65 And they said many other insulting things to him.
B. Think:
- Why do you think Peter followed?
- What did this result in?
- How did that reveal things about Jesus and Peter?
C. Comment:
Jesus has been arrested. Peter follows at a distance. This is Peter who had previously (v.33) declared he would follow Jesus to death. Jesus had known better and had warned that Peter would deny him three times before daybreak. Peter still believes in his own strength and follows – at a distance, yes, but he still follows. Something in him says he ought to be there with Jesus, but he’s afraid and so goes at a distance.
It’s going to be a long night so someone lights a fire in the courtyard and the people huddle around it to keep warm. It is there that three times Peter denies Jesus. Would we have done any different? Perhaps, perhaps not. It’s easy to be strong from a distance – that was exactly what Peter had done, but distance became close and he didn’t have enough courage to stand. Let’s not be harsh in judgement of him – Jesus wasn’t (Jn 21:15-).
The reality is that Jesus knew the extent of Peter’s strength and Peter didn’t. Peter could have simply gone home, but he went after Jesus – that much was good. But if he thought he could stand, that was foolish because Jesus has already warned him that he will fall – and he didn’t believe Jesus. That was the silly part. Yet how often does Jesus say things to us that we don’t or can’t accept? The truth is that Jesus knows more about us than we do. Let’s remember that if we can.
D. Application:
- My strength is inadequate. I need God’s help.
- My knowledge of myself is limited. I need God’s view.
Passage: Luke 22:66-71: Jesus on Trial
A. Find Out:
- Who met together? v.66
- At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them
- What did they demand of him? v.67
- ‘If you are the Messiah,’ they said, ‘tell us.’ Jesus answered, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe me,
- What was Jesus’ response? v.67-69
- ‘If you are the Messiah,’ they said, ‘tell us.’ Jesus answered, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.’
- What did they then ask? v.70a
- They all asked, ‘Are you then the Son of God?’
- What was Jesus’ answer? v.70b
- He replied, ‘You say that I am.’
- What was their conclusion? v.71
- Then they said, ‘Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.’
B. Think:
- What must it have been like to be faced with this array of prosecutors?
- What form does the prosecution take?
- Why is that alien to all systems of law and justice?
C. Comment:
To say that what took place must have been intimidating is an understatement. The whole Sanhedrin, the Jewish council of the people, together with all the top religious leaders and legal religious representatives, all are there with their antagonism showing. The other Gospels show us that their witnesses could not agree and were therefore worthless, and so, if they are not to appear foolish and have to let Jesus go, they will have to get him the condemn himself out of his own mouth.
No system of justice requires a person to condemn themselves, so this was a last desperate measure. Jesus obliges them. After all, the end product is to be his death and so if they are so incompetent at distorting the truth, he will have to give them the plain unvarnished truth, which will so increase their hostility that they will ignore the law and have him executed.
When challenged if he is the Messiah, he asks, what’s the point in answering; you’re so prejudiced you won’t believe me anyway. When he refers to the “Son of Man”, that prophetic figure from the Old Testament, they grab at this and ask him if he claims to be God’s Son. His answer is simply, yes! As far as they’re concerned, they need no more. This is blasphemy and blasphemers deserve death.
D. Application:
- Prejudice blinds to the truth. Beware of it.
- Fear of the truth, leads us to irrational behaviour. Beware of it.