What does Luke 22:7 mean?
Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. Luke 22:7
Explanation
Luke 22:7 provides a concise description of the start of the Passover and the beginning of the events leading up to the Last Supper of Jesus with His disciples. The verse speaks of the day of Unleavened Bread, also known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is connected with the celebration of Passover. According to Jewish tradition, Passover commemorates the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, and during this time, a sacrificial lamb, known as the “passover,” was killed. Symbolically, this sacrificial act pointed towards the coming sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Lamb of God. The literal meaning revolves around the preparation for the Passover meal, but the deeper significance lies in the foreshadowing of Jesus’ own sacrificial death.
Historical Context
The historical context of Luke 22:7 is rooted in the Jewish Passover festival, which is one of the most important religious observances for the Jewish people, commemorating their liberation by God from slavery in Egypt. Specifically, the verse situates itself in the time of Jesus, around the first century CE. The Jewish people would gather in Jerusalem to observe the Passover, including the ritual slaughtering of the paschal lamb, which was done in remembrance of the blood of the lamb on the doorposts, which according to the Book of Exodus, protected the Israelites from the angel of death.
Theological Insights
Different theological perspectives can be drawn from this verse. From a traditional Christian viewpoint, the reference to the “passover” being killed is seen as a direct foreshadowing of Jesus’ crucifixion, with Jesus as the ultimate Passover lamb whose blood would deliver believers from eternal death. This verse supports the concept of substitutionary atonement found in Christian doctrine. Other theologians may emphasize the continuity and fulfillment of Jewish tradition in the life and work of Jesus, focusing on the importance of the historical Passover event in understanding Christian salvation.
Practical Applications
The verse encourages believers to reflect on the importance of preparation and remembrance. As the disciples prepared for Passover, Christians are reminded to prepare their hearts and lives for commemorating the sacrifice of Jesus. It can also be seen as a call to partake in the act of communion (the Lord’s Supper) with solemn reverence and gratitude for the sacrifice that Jesus made. The verse can inspire the faithful to live in a way that honors the redemptive work of Christ.
Cross-References
- Exodus 12:6: “And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.”
- 1 Corinthians 5:7: “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:”
- John 1:29: “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
Language Study
In the original Greek, some key terms stand out:
- Unleavened Bread (ἄζυμος, azymos): Referring to bread made without yeast, symbolic of purity and the haste in which the Israelites had to leave Egypt.
- Passover (πάσχα, pascha): The Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word Pesach, which refers to the Passover lamb and the festival itself.
- Must be killed (θύεσθαι, thyesthai): Here the verb indicates the necessity or divine appointment of the sacrificial event.
Cultural and Religious Comparisons
The concept of sacrificial lambs and atoning deaths can be found in various ancient cultures. For example, in ancient Mesopotamian religion, there were rituals involving the sacrifice of lambs. In the context of the Passover, it is particularly Jewish in nature, but the broader idea resonates with a wider ancient understanding of the need for atonement and the use of sacrificial systems to appease deities, achieve purification, or commemorate significant historical events.
Scientific Perspectives
While there is little direct scientific discussion relevant to this verse, modern archeology and historical research provide insights into the practices and life during the time of Jesus. These scientific methods help confirm the historical veracity of certain cultural practices mentioned in the Bible, such as the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the observance of Passover in Jerusalem during the Second Temple period.
Commentaries
Biblical scholars and commentators offer various insights regarding Luke 22:7:
- Some commentators, like Matthew Henry, see Jesus as the ultimate Passover Lamb whose blood signals redemption, much like the lamb’s blood in the Exodus story signaled safety from God’s judgment.
- John Gill discusses the day of unleavened bread with its chronological link to the 14th day of the month Nisan in the Jewish calendar, indicating that all leaven was to be removed from the houses on this day.
- William Barclay emphasizes the immense historical and religious significance of the Passover festival in Jewish life and how Jesus chose this central moment to institute the new rite of communion.