What does Luke 22:5 mean?

Explanation

[And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.] Luke 22:5, taken in its direct and simplest form, refers to a group of people who were happy about a certain arrangement they had made which involved a financial exchange.

The deeper context reveals that this verse is a part of the account of Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus Christ.

In the narrative, the chief priests and scribes sought a way to put Jesus to death without causing a public uproar.

Judas, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, approached these leaders and offered to betray Jesus into their hands.

Their gladness stems from having found a way to arrest Jesus covertly through the assistance of one of his closest followers.

The covenant to give money shows the transactional nature of the betrayal, where the act of handing over Jesus is exchanged for material gain.

Historical Context

The events described in Luke 22:5 occur during the week of Passover, an important Jewish festival commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.

This period in the first century AD was marked by Roman occupation of Judea, and there was significant tension between Jewish religious authorities and the Roman authorities.

The chief priests and scribes were particularly disturbed by Jesus' growing influence and his challenges to the existing religious hierarchy and traditions.

Judas’ betrayal facilitated the arrest of Jesus in a way that would avoid an immediate clash with his many followers who were in Jerusalem for the festival.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, the verse highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering and betrayal of the Messiah (e.g., Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 11:12-13). It also demonstrates human fallibility and sin, even among those close to Jesus.

Theologically, some view Judas's act as predestined, necessary for the redemption of humanity through Christ's sacrifice. Others debate Judas's motivations and free will in the situation. In either case, the event sets the stage for the central Christian narrative of Jesus' death and resurrection.

Practical Applications

The verse may be considered in the context of moral choices and the ramifications of valuing material gain over loyalty or righteousness. It serves as a cautionary example against betrayal and greed.

Moreover, on a personal level, the verse can encourage self-reflection on one’s own motivations and actions, especially when faced with situations involving moral dilemmas or potential benefits at the cost of ethical principles.

Cross-References

• Psalm 41:9: "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me."
• Zechariah 11:12-13: "And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear.

So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver."

• Matthew 26:14-16: "Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver."
• John 13:26-27: "Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it.

And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon."

• Acts 1:18: "Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text for this verse are:

• "glad" (χαίρω - chairō): which can mean to rejoice, be glad, or cheerfully agree.
• "covenanted" (συνθήκη - synthéké): which signifies to make a compact or agreement, in this case, a formal contract.
• "money" (ἀργύριον - argyrion): translated as money, and it could refer specifically to silver coins in the context.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of betrayal for material gain is not unique to Christian texts; it can be found in other cultural and religious literature as well. For example, in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, betrayal for personal gain leads to immense conflicts and wars.

In ancient Greek mythology, acts of treachery and betrayal by gods and mortals alike often result in severe consequences and were used to teach lessons about morality and justice.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives typically do not intersect directly with biblical verses such as Luke 22:5 since they deal with the natural world and empirical evidence rather than matters of faith or morality.

However, psychology could offer insights into the behavior patterns evident in betrayal, such as the cognitive dissonance experienced by someone like Judas who had been a follower of Christ and then decided to betray him.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of this verse:

• Some argue that Judas's motivations were complex and may have included disillusionment or a misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission.
• Others focus on the fulfillment of scriptural prophecy and the necessary role that Judas's action played in the larger divine plan.
• Commentators often discuss the nature of the 'gladness' of the religious authorities, debating whether it was solely due to the opportunity to arrest Jesus, or if it also included satisfaction in seeing a disciple become a turncoat.
• There is also discussion on the significance of money and the way it is often juxtaposed with spiritual values in the biblical narrative.