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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 22:20 mean?

Explanation

Luke 22:20 refers to a significant moment at the Last Supper, where Jesus institutes the sacrament of the Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion) with His disciples.

After sharing a meal, Jesus takes a cup of wine and makes a profound declaration.

He identifies the wine as representing His blood, soon to be "shed for you." The act of shedding blood refers to His impending crucifixion, where He will suffer and die for humanity's sins.

The phrase "new testament in my blood" signifies the establishment of a new covenant between God and humanity, a promise of salvation and forgiveness through Jesus' sacrifice. It replaces the Old Covenant, which was based on the Law given to Moses.

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Historical Context

The setting of Luke 22:20 is the Last Supper, which occurred in Jerusalem during the Jewish festival of Passover.

The Passover commemorated Israel's liberation from Egyptian slavery.

Jesus and His disciples were Jewish and participated in this traditional feast.

During this time, the ritual consumption of unleavened bread and wine, along with other elements, was practiced.

Jesus' words at the Last Supper provide a transformative interpretation of the meal, as He adapts and redefines the traditional symbols of Passover in light of His impending death.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse is fundamental to understanding the Christian narrative of redemption and the role of Jesus as the mediator of the New Covenant.

This "New Testament" or "New Covenant" is not a written document but a promise of a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Some theological viewpoints emphasize the sacrificial nature of Jesus' death as an atonement for sin (Substitutionary Atonement Theory), while others focus on the covenantal aspect, viewing it as a renewal of humanity's relationship with God (Covenant Theology).

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse are central to Christian worship and practice.

It reminds believers of the significance of the Lord's Supper or Communion as a sacrament that should be observed with reverence and remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice.

It encourages Christians to reflect on the new life and hope they have received through Jesus' death and to live in a way that honors the sacrifice made on their behalf.

Cross-References

Matthew 26:28: "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
1 Corinthians 11:25: "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."
Hebrews 9:15: "And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."
Jeremiah 31:31: "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:"

Language Study

"Cup" (Greek: ποτήριον, potērion): A drinking vessel, metaphorically representing the contents within, in this case, the wine symbolizing Jesus' blood.
"New testament" (Greek: καινὴ διαθήκη, kainē diathēkē): This refers to a new covenant or agreement.

The word "diathēkē" can mean both "covenant" and "testament," indicating a legal disposition of property (will) in Hellenistic language, but in a Jewish context, it specifically means "covenant."

"Shed" (Greek: ἐκχυννόμενον, ekchunnomenon): To pour out, spill, or shed, often used in context with the ritualistic pouring of sacrificial blood.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of blood sacrifice as atonement is present in many ancient cultures and religions.

However, in the context of this verse, it marks a departure from repeated animal sacrifices in Judaism as Jesus' death is presented as the ultimate and final sacrifice for sin.

This theme of a divine figure or hero laying down their life for the sake of others is a recurring motif in various mythologies, though the Christian narrative holds that Jesus' sacrifice is unique and historical.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives on this verse are generally limited, as it deals with spiritual and theological concepts rather than empirical claims.

The reference to blood, in a scientific context, may be seen as symbolically rich, given blood's biological role in sustaining life and its cultural association with vitality and sacrifice.

However, the verse's truth claims are metaphysical and thus beyond the inquiry of science.

Commentaries

Among biblical scholars and theologians, there is consensus that Luke 22:20 is pivotal for understanding the Christian Eucharist.

They discuss the Last Supper's institution narrative as foundational to sacramental theology, highlighting the connection to Passover and the motif of liberation.

Commentaries reinforce the covenantal language and often engage with its liturgical import.

Some commentators focus on the eschatological significance - that Jesus' declaration also points to the future consummation of the kingdom of God, where believers will feast with Christ.

Luke 22

Luke 22

What does Luke 22:20 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 22:20 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?