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Luke 22

Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?

And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.

And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.

And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.

And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.

And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.

And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.

And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?

And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,

Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:

And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.

Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.

Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.

And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

What does Luke 22:14 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 22:14 discusses the moment right before the institution of the Lord's Supper, also known as the Last Supper.

This was a pivotal event in the Christian narrative where Jesus, aware of his impending crucifixion, gathers with his twelve disciples for the Jewish Passover meal.

Literally, the verse is describing Jesus taking his place at the table with his closest followers.

It marks the beginning of a series of teachings and actions that will define the sacrament of Communion in Christianity.

At a deeper level, the verse signifies the intimate fellowship Jesus had with his apostles and sets the stage for the new covenant between God and humanity through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

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Historical Context

Luke 22:14 is set within the context of the Jewish Passover, a festival commemorating the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian slavery by God as told in the book of Exodus.

The Last Supper is believed to have taken place in an upper room in Jerusalem during the first century AD.

At that time, Jerusalem would have been under Roman occupation, and the Passover meal was a time when Jewish people remembered their past deliverance and hoped for future liberation.

Within Christian tradition, this event is seen as the last meal Jesus shared before his arrest and crucifixion, and the Passover symbolism is reinterpreted in light of Jesus's impending death and resurrection.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse is laden with significance.

The sitting down of Jesus with his apostles is understood as a sign of communion and unity.

The number twelve is symbolic, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, and thus the whole people of God.

The Last Supper initiates the Eucharistic tradition, where Christians partake in bread and wine as symbols of Jesus's body and blood, commemorating his sacrifice.

Theologically, this verse can be seen as depicting Jesus as the new Paschal lamb, whose sacrifice will lead to the ultimate liberation from sin.

Some theologians also view this as a foretaste of the eschatological feast in the Kingdom of God.

Practical Applications

In daily life, Luke 22:14 can serve to remind individuals of the importance of fellowship and community as exemplified by Jesus and the apostles during the Last Supper.

It encourages believers to come together in unity, particularly when observing the sacrament of Communion.

It also highlights the importance of remembrance and gratitude for the sacrifices made by others.

Additionally, this verse can inspire reflection on one's own practices of hospitality and inclusion, challenging believers to set a table where others are welcome and valued.

Cross-References

Matthew 26:20: "Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve."
Mark 14:17: "And in the evening he cometh with the twelve."
1 Corinthians 11:23-25: "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek of Luke 22:14 are important to unpack for a full understanding:

Hour (ὥρα - hora): This term can refer to a specific time of day or a significant moment.

In this context, it indicates the appointed time for the Passover meal.

Sat down (ἀνέπεσε - anepesen): This is a past tense verb which includes the idea of reclining at the table, which was the customary posture for eating during that era.
Apostles (ἀπόστολοι - apostoloi): This word means 'one who is sent out' and is used specifically to refer to the twelve disciples commissioned by Jesus for ministry.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The Last Supper in Christianity has parallels in other religious traditions and ancient myths.

For example, in various pagan mythologies, deities often share a meal with humans as a sign of fellowship or covenant.

In Greco-Roman culture, symposiums were social gatherings where philosophical or important discussions took place over a meal.

The idea of a sacred meal where a god is present can also be found in the story of the Jewish Passover, which itself is a meal full of symbolism and religious meaning.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, there may be discussions on the historical accuracy of the account, the psychological effects of communal meals on group cohesion, or the anthropological implications of sharing sacred meals and their role in shaping cultural identity.

The ritual of Communion could also be studied for its impact on human behavior and social structures within religious communities.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer varying insights on Luke 22:14.

Some emphasize the eschatological (pertaining to end times) significance of Jesus's actions at the Last Supper, seeing this event as a preview of the great banquet in the Kingdom of God.

Others focus on the establishment of the new covenant, where Jesus prepares his followers for the new era of salvation history.

Additionally, commentaries might explore the personal dynamics between Jesus and his apostles during this intimate gathering, examining how this meal foreshadows the forthcoming trial and crucifixion of Jesus.

Luke 22

Luke 22

What does Luke 22:14 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 22:14 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?