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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 22:15 mean?

Explanation

Luke 22:15 captures a moment of deep emotional expression from Jesus as he speaks to his disciples.

In this verse, Jesus communicates his intense longing to share the Passover meal with them one last time before he undergoes suffering.

The use of the phrase "With desire I have desired" is a Hebraic idiom that is a form of emphasis, meaning Jesus earnestly wished for this moment.

The repetition underlines the importance of the occasion.

The Passover was a vital Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egyptian slavery, and it is loaded with symbolism foreshadowing Jesus's own impending sacrifice for the salvation of humanity.

This verse is more than a statement about a meal; it reflects the intimacy and profound relational connection Jesus had with his disciples and outlines the significance of what is about to take place.

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Historical Context

Luke 22:15 is nested within the context of the Last Supper, which is the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion.

This event takes place during the Jewish festival of Passover, which commemorates the Exodus from Egypt when the Israelites were spared from the final plague that struck the Egyptians due to the blood of a lamb painted on their doorposts.

The historical setting is first-century Judea under Roman occupation.

At this time, messianic expectations were high, and Jesus's followers likely anticipated a different kind of deliverance than what Jesus was about to provide through his death and resurrection.

Theological Insights

This verse holds profound theological implications.

From a Christian standpoint, Jesus being the Passover lamb who would take away the sins of the world is central.

His expressed desire to eat this meal underscores the importance of fellowship and the institution of what would later become the Lord's Supper or Communion, a foundational sacrament in Christian tradition symbolizing Christ's body and blood given for humanity.

Different denominations interpret the theological significance of the Last Supper and its modern practice variably.

Roman Catholics view the Eucharist as a sacrament where the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ, whereas Protestants often hold a symbolic view of the elements.

Nonetheless, most Christian traditions view this meal as a time to remember Jesus's sacrifice and to look forward to his return.

Practical Applications

The desire of Jesus to share the Passover with his disciples before his suffering teaches us the importance of community and fellowship.

Christians understand this verse as a call to value and cherish moments of togetherness and communion, especially in anticipation of trials.

Practically, this can translate into prioritizing quality time with family and friends, sharing meals and significant traditions, and offering support for each other in difficult times.

It also underlines the significance of observance of the Lord's Supper in the church community, making it a solemn remembrance and celebration of the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 11:23-26: "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..."
Exodus 12:1-14: The institution of the Passover and the importance of the sacrificial lamb, which is a type of Christ's ultimate sacrifice.
John 13:1: "Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end."
Matthew 26:26-28: Another account of Jesus's Last Supper with his disciples, including the words of institution for the Lord's Supper.

Language Study

The phrase "With desire I have desired" translates the Greek "ἐπιθυμίᾳ ἐπεθύμησα" (epithumia epethumēsa). "ἐπιθυμίᾳ" (epithumia) often implies a strong desire or longing, sometimes even a coveting. "ἐπεθύμησα" (epethumēsa) is the verb form meaning 'I desired' or 'I have longed for.' The repetition is a linguistic device common in Semitic languages to show great emphasis.

It is a use of doubling where the verb and its cognate noun are combined to stress the intensity of Jesus's feelings.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In various ancient cultures, sharing a meal was a sign of intimate fellowship and covenant relationship.

For example, in ancient Greek culture, the symposium was more than just a feast; it was a gathering for philosophical discussions and building companionship.

Comparatively, in the Jewish tradition, meals often had a covenantal aspect, with the Passover being a key communal and familial event that bonded the participants in a collective remembrance of God's deliverance.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse itself does not directly relate to scientific perspectives, the understanding of human emotion and psychology could shed light on the deep emotional connection and anticipation expressed by Jesus.

Modern studies in psychoneuroimmunology suggest that mental states, including desire and stress anticipation, can have significant physiological impacts.

Jesus's awareness of his imminent suffering may reflect an acute psychological and emotional state that accompanies the approach of a known stressful event.

commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians offer different insights into Luke 22:15:

William Barclay suggests that Jesus's desire to eat this particular Passover with his disciples highlights the urgency and uniqueness of this final meal together.
John Gill comments on the eagerness Jesus expresses, noting it is the eagerness of love, emphasizing the familial and close relationship he had with the disciples.
Matthew Henry reflects on the duality of Jesus's feelings: the desire for communion with his disciples and the anticipation of his suffering, which would bring about the fulfillment of what the Passover symbolized.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary points to the verse as a transition to the new covenant that Jesus would establish through his death, giving the Passover a new meaning for all who would believe in him.

Luke 22

Luke 22

What does Luke 22:15 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 22:15 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?