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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 22:70 mean?

Explanation

Luke 22:70 features a pivotal question directed at Jesus during his trial before the council of the Jewish leadership, known as the Sanhedrin.

They ask Him, "Art thou then the Son of God?" Jesus responds, "Ye say that I am," which is often interpreted as an affirmation of His divine identity.

Remarkably, this dialogue occurs after a series of interrogations where Jesus is prodded to declare His messiahship openly.

His response, by using "Ye say that I am,” indirectly affirms the title, while placing the onus of the declaration on the questioners, which could be seen as a tactical move to fulfill the legal requirements for a testimony.

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Historical Context

At the time Luke was written, early Christians were undergoing persecution and needed affirmation of Jesus' divine authority and messianic role.

This scene is part of the Passion narrative, where Jesus, having been arrested after the Last Supper, stands trial before the Jewish religious leaders.

The question about Jesus' sonship to God reflects the tension between the Jewish leaders' expectation of a political or military Messiah and Jesus' mission of spiritual redemption.

Theological Insights

There are multiple perspectives on this verse among different Christian denominations.

Some theologians emphasize Jesus' statement as a direct claim to deity, seeing it as an unequivocal admission of His divine sonship.

Others suggest that Jesus was acknowledging their charge without directly claiming it for Himself, highlighting His wisdom in navigating a hostile interrogation.

Broadly, Christian theology asserts that this verse validates Jesus' divinity, a core belief in the doctrine of the Trinity.

Practical Applications

This passage can inspire believers to acknowledge and testify to their faith in the face of adversity.

It encourages sincerity in one's convictions and illustrates how to respond to challenges with wisdom.

The passage also serves as a reminder to Christians of the importance of Jesus' divine identity and the salvific consequences of His crucifixion and resurrection.

Cross-References

Mark 14:61-62: "But he held his peace, and answered nothing.

Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am..."

Matthew 26:63-64: "...The high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said..."

John 10:36: "Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?"

Language Study

The key phrase "Ye say that I am" in Greek is "Ὑμεῖς λέγετε ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι." The word "λέγετε" (legēte) translates as "you say," implying the agency of the accuser in making the statement.

The phrase "ἐγώ εἰμι" (egō eimi), which is "I am," holds significance throughout the Gospel as a declaration of existence and identity, mirroring God's self-identification in the Old Testament.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader context of ancient religions, claims to divinity or a special relationship with the divine were not uncommon (e.g., the pharaohs of Egypt, Roman emperors, or figures in Greek mythology being portrayed as gods or demi-gods).

However, in the Jewish tradition, any claim to equality with God was considered blasphemy, which is why the Sanhedrin perceived Jesus' statement as a justification for his condemnation.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse does not directly intersect with scientific disciplines as it deals with spiritual and theological concepts.

However, modern psychology could provide insights into the interpersonal dynamics, such as the use of ambiguity and the strategic communication employed by Jesus in high-pressure situations.

Commentaries

Many biblical commentators agree that Jesus' response in Luke 22:70 is a crucial admission of His identity, which leads to the climax of the Passion narrative.

Some, like Matthew Henry, see it as a straightforward claim to divinity.

Others, such as John Calvin, emphasize the judicial context, interpreting Jesus' words as fulfilling the legal need for an accusation while demonstrating His divine authority.

Contemporary scholars continue to debate the nuances of Jesus' response, its implications for Christology, and the varied reactions it has provoked throughout church history.

Luke 22

Luke 22

What does Luke 22:70 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 22:70 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?