Luke Chapter 22: The Last Supper, Betrayal, and Arrest

Summary
Luke 22 depicts the intensifying events of Jesus’ final hours before His crucifixion, emphasizing His preparation for death, the disciples’ failures, and His submission to God’s will. The chapter unfolds in several key scenes:
  • The Plot and Betrayal (22:1–6): As Passover approaches, the chief priests and scribes seek to kill Jesus but fear the crowd. Satan enters Judas Iscariot, who agrees to betray Jesus for money, seeking an opportunity to hand Him over.
  • The Last Supper (22:7–38): Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal (22:7–13). During the meal, Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, declaring the bread as His body and the wine as His blood of the new covenant (22:19–20). He predicts Judas’ betrayal (22:21–23) and teaches about true greatness through servanthood (22:24–30). He warns Peter of Satan’s desire to “sift” him and predicts Peter’s denial (22:31–34). Jesus then instructs the disciples to prepare for coming hardships, contrasting their earlier mission (22:35–38).
  • Prayer on the Mount of Olives (22:39–46): Jesus prays in agony at Gethsemane, asking God to remove the “cup” of suffering but submitting to His will (22:42). An angel strengthens Him, and He sweats drops like blood. The disciples, overwhelmed by sorrow, sleep instead of praying.
  • Arrest and Denial (22:47–71): Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, leading to His arrest (22:47–53). A disciple cuts off a servant’s ear, but Jesus heals it. Peter denies knowing Jesus three times, as predicted, and weeps bitterly (22:54–62). Jesus is mocked and beaten, then questioned by the Sanhedrin, affirming His identity as the Son of God (22:63–71).
Cross-References
  • Plot and Betrayal:
    • Psalm 41:9: “Even my close friend in whom I trusted… has lifted his heel against me,” fulfilled in Judas’ betrayal.
    • John 13:18–30: John’s account of Judas’ betrayal aligns with Luke’s.
    • Zechariah 11:12–13: The betrayal for money (30 pieces of silver, Matthew 26:15) fulfills prophecy.
  • Last Supper:
    • Matthew 26:26–29; Mark 14:22–25; 1 Corinthians 11:23–25: Parallel accounts of the Lord’s Supper.
    • Exodus 12:14–20: The Passover meal prefigures Jesus as the ultimate Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7).
    • Jeremiah 31:31–34: The “new covenant” Jesus establishes through His blood.
  • Prayer in Gethsemane:
    • Hebrews 5:7: Jesus’ prayers in anguish, “with loud cries and tears,” are heard by God.
    • Matthew 26:36–46; Mark 14:32–42: Parallel accounts of Jesus’ prayer.
  • Peter’s Denial:
    • John 18:15–27: Peter’s denial in other Gospels, with slight variations.
    • John 21:15–19: Peter’s restoration after the resurrection, showing God’s grace.
  • Arrest and Trial:
    • Isaiah 53:7: Jesus’ silence before accusers fulfills prophecy.
    • Acts 4:11: Jesus as the rejected cornerstone, affirmed by His trial.
Theological Meaning
Luke 22 is rich with theological themes that underscore Jesus’ mission and human frailty:
  • New Covenant: The Lord’s Supper (22:19–20) establishes a new covenant through Jesus’ sacrificial death, fulfilling Jeremiah 31:31–34. The bread and wine symbolize His body and blood, offered for the forgiveness of sins, inviting believers to remember His sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:25).
  • Human Frailty: Judas’ betrayal (22:3–6) and Peter’s denial (22:54–62) highlight human weakness and sinfulness, yet Jesus’ foreknowledge and intercession (22:32) show His grace and power to restore (John 21:15–19).
  • Servanthood: Jesus redefines greatness as humble service (22:26–27), modeling the way of the cross and calling disciples to follow His example (Philippians 2:5–8).
  • Submission to God: Jesus’ prayer, “Not my will, but yours, be done” (22:42), exemplifies His obedience, even unto death (Philippians 2:8), and His humanity, as He faces anguish (Hebrews 4:15).
  • Satan’s Opposition: Satan’s role in Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s testing (22:3, 31) reveals spiritual warfare, but Jesus’ authority and intercession ensure victory (Colossians 2:15).
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus’ arrest and trial fulfill Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Psalm 41:9; Isaiah 53), confirming His identity as the Messiah.
Questions and Answers
  1. Why did Judas betray Jesus (22:3–6)?
    • Judas, influenced by Satan (22:3), agreed to betray Jesus for money (Matthew 26:15 notes 30 pieces of silver). His motives are debated—greed, disillusionment with Jesus’ non-political messiahship, or spiritual vulnerability. Jesus’ foreknowledge (22:21) shows the betrayal was part of God’s plan, yet Judas remained responsible (Acts 1:16–20).
  2. What is the Lord’s Supper, and why is it important (22:19–20)?
    • The Lord’s Supper is a memorial meal where bread represents Jesus’ body, given for believers, and wine symbolizes His blood, shed for forgiveness (1 Corinthians 11:23–25). It commemorates Jesus’ sacrifice, strengthens faith, and anticipates His return. Christians observe it to proclaim His death (1 Corinthians 11:26).
  3. Why did Jesus say the disciples would need swords (22:35–38)?
    • Jesus contrasts their earlier mission, when they lacked nothing (Luke 10:4), with the coming hostility they’ll face (22:36). The “sword” may be literal (for self-defense) or symbolic of spiritual readiness (Ephesians 6:17). The disciples’ literal interpretation (22:38) misses His point, as Jesus rejects violence (22:51).
  4. Why was Jesus sweating blood in Gethsemane (22:44)?
    • The phrase “sweat became like great drops of blood” likely describes extreme stress, possibly hematohidrosis, a rare condition where blood mixes with sweat under intense anxiety. It underscores Jesus’ humanity, as He faced the weight of sin and death (Hebrews 5:7). His submission to God’s will (22:42) is a model for believers.
  5. How could Peter deny Jesus after being so loyal (22:54–62)?
    • Fear overwhelmed Peter, fulfilling Jesus’ prediction (22:34). Under pressure, he denied knowing Jesus to avoid arrest or harm. His bitter weeping (22:62) shows genuine remorse, and his later restoration (John 21:15–19) demonstrates God’s grace for those who fail but repent.
  6. What is the “cup” Jesus prayed about (22:42)?
    • The “cup” symbolizes God’s wrath or the suffering Jesus would endure on the cross (Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 25:15). Jesus willingly accepted it to fulfill God’s plan for salvation, showing His obedience and love (John 10:18).
  7. Why did Jesus heal the servant’s ear during His arrest (22:51)?
    • When a disciple (John 18:10 identifies Peter) cut off the high priest’s servant’s ear, Jesus healed it, showing compassion even to enemies and rejecting violence (Matthew 5:44). This act underscores His mission of mercy and fulfills His role as a healer (Isaiah 53:5).
  8. Why did the Sanhedrin question Jesus’ identity (22:66–71)?
    • The Sanhedrin sought grounds to condemn Jesus for blasphemy, a capital offense under Jewish law (Leviticus 24:16). Jesus’ affirmation of being the Son of God and Son of Man (22:69–70, referencing Daniel 7:13–14) confirmed His divine authority, prompting their charge but fulfilling His messianic role.
Additional Notes for Readers
  • Historical Context: The Passover setting (22:7) ties Jesus’ death to the Jewish festival commemorating deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 12). Jesus becomes the ultimate Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), whose blood delivers from sin. The Sanhedrin’s rushed trial violated Jewish legal norms (e.g., no trials at night), highlighting their desperation to eliminate Jesus.
  • Cultural Questions: A layperson might wonder why Judas betrayed with a kiss (22:48), a sign of affection. This act was culturally significant, making the betrayal more heinous, as it perverted a gesture of friendship (Psalm 41:9). The disciples’ failure to pray (22:46) reflects human weakness, encouraging readers to rely on God’s strength.
  • Application: Luke 22 challenges believers to remember Jesus’ sacrifice through communion, trust God in trials, and seek forgiveness for failures, as seen in Peter’s restoration. Jesus’ submission in Gethsemane models surrender to God’s will, even in suffering.
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