Luke 22

     See notes at Mt. 26; Mark 14.

      22:1, 7.  John always uses the term “Passover,” never “Unleavened Bread,” even when the Passover meal proper has already been eaten.  The other gospel writers use both terms interchangeably for the entire eight-day feast.  Cf. Lev. 23:5-8; Mt. 26:17; Mark 14:1,12; John 13:29; 19:14.  Note in John 19:14 that “the day of preparation” means the day before the weekly Sabbath, i.e., Friday, as John 19:31 makes plain.  In spite of the many liberal books that insist John has the disciples preparing the Passover meal a day earlier than everyone else, such is not the case.  See notes at John 13:29; 18:28; Mark 15:42.

     22:16.  The Passover is fulfilled at Jesus’ death.  Jesus fulfilled all the holy days of the OT.  That includes the weekly Sabbath, as he rested in the grave from his finished work.

     22:22 is an easy verse to remember to cite as an example of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility.  Judas does nothing against his will, unforced by either Satan (3, 48) or God.  Yet it is all according to the predetermined plan of God.  Cf. Gen. 50:20; Acts 2:23; 4:27-28.

     22:24-30.  This would be a strange dispute if Peter had really been appointed Pope in chapter 9 (see Mt. 16:18).  What a contrast between a Pope, who is dressed in bejeweled robes (cf. 20:46), and is surrounded by servants and people kissing his ring and feet, and the instruction Jesus gives concerning the greatest in the kingdom.  Of course this antichrist institution tries desperately to affect humility while the multitudes worship a man, but only succeeds in appearing weak and effeminate.  All the while, the Pope blasphemously allows himself to be called Holy Father (cf. Mt. 23:9).

     22:30.  Mt. 26:30, Mark 14:26 and John 13:36 all show that they left the upper room at this point.  What follows v.30 took place on the way to the Mount of Olives.  V.39 means that they “came out” of Jerusalem, not the upper room.

     22:31-34.  The Greek pronoun “you” in v.31 is a plural form (read “all of you”), but singular in v.32.  Ultimately, Peter is stronger than Judas only because Jesus prayed for him.  Satan is bound.  He can sift, but he cannot snatch them from Jesus’ hand (John 10:28).

     22:35-38.  Times have changed.  They must use discretion and foresight.  V.36 shows that Christians have the right, even the duty, to defend themselves and others from attack.  They were not to presume to defend Christ himself, as Peter did (50).  Jesus could defend himself (Mt. 26:53).  But clearly, there was a place for the defensive use of the sword.  According to v.38, the disciples had apparently used some stealthy initiative already where obtaining swords was concerned.

     22:46.  Cf. the words of the captain to Jonah as the storm raged around his ship.  “What meanest thou, O sleeper, arise….”  Jonah 1:6, KJV.

     22:54-71.  Both Luke and John make it clear that Jesus was taken first to what must have been a pre-trial hearing (54).  There he was examined, both Annas and Caiaphas being present, see John 18:13-24.  Peter was in the courtyard, and saw Jesus being taken away after having denied him (61).  After being abused by the soldiers, Jesus was taken before the Sanhedrin sometime during the morning watch (3 to 6 a.m.), probably around 4:00 a.m.  (V.66 can be better translated “when day came,” RSV, which doesn’t have to mean when it was day, as the NASB translates).  Jesus was already before Pilate being sentenced about 6:00 a.m. (John 19:14).