Luke Chapter 22.

Luke Chapter 22.

Judas' betrayal.  22:1-6.   The feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Passover, were not strictly identical.  The Passover was killed in the afternoon of the 14th. Nisan and eaten the same night, i.e. according to the Jewish reckoning, at the beginning of the 15nth. Nisan.  (Creed).

           

It is not now the Pharisees but the priests and scribes who are the chief opponents of Jesus.  His entrance into the Temple was a challenge to them.  The Temple, which should have remained the proper centre of his ministry, becomes the occasion and centre of antagonism to him.  They knew not their true glory.

           

Satan enters Judas to renew his attack on Jesus.  After his defeat at the temptation, he departed for a season (4:13), but he now comes upon the scene again.

           

Preparations for the Passover.  22:7-13.   A problem.  The Synoptics seem to place the Passover on the night before the Cross, while John associates the Cross on the day of the Passover.  Some argue that there was some mistake of dating between the Saducees and Pharisees.  Others, think that the Synoptics refer to the Kiddush (a religious meal held by devote Jews), or a Haburah, (a meal taken together by a group of friends).  The Qumran scrolls bear evidence of another calendar, which would have been known to the early Palestinian Christians.  The Synoptics may have this calendar in mind.  Almost certainly, the Synoptics refer to the Last Supper, as a Passover meal, see 22:13.

           

The last Passover.  22:14-23.   At the hour of the meal, there is panic, but dignity and orderliness.  Jesus knew what was to befall him, and he is firm in his resolution to meet his death in Jerusalem.  This is why he is so eager to eat this final Passover meal with his disciples, before his Passion.  The Passover was a type of the coming Kingdom.

           

The head of the Jewish family began the meal by blessing the cup, containing wine mingled with water.  22:17-18.  Bitter Herbs ('endwe' etc), were eaten.  Bread was broken and eaten, then a second cup, before the eating of the Lamb.  It is not certain whether the Lord himself drank the cup mentioned in 22:18, but see 22:14 in N.E.B.

           

22:19-20.   It was generally assumed that Hort had proved that 22:19b and 20 formed no part of the original text, but there is a tendency among scholars to prefer the longer text as the R.V.  However, the return to the longer text was not strong enough to get it further than the margin of the R.S.V and the N.E.B.  But there is an increasing readiness to accept the longer text.  Donald Miller supports it.

           

Disputes of rank.  22:24-27.  The kings of the Gentiles are esteemed as benefactors by their subjects, though usually such despots were concerned with lining their pockets.  But the Lord would impart to his disciples a new principle of greatness.  No one should make his superiority felt in any other way than by his service to the weakest and most needful members.  Jesus himself was the outstanding example of this to others, though he was their recognized leader.  His leadership was "a form of service, not a kind of privilege."  (W.T.M).

           

The reward of the Apostles.  22:28-30.   The eating and drinking at the Lord's Table in the Kingdom is surely figurative of full rank, happiness and satisfaction that shall be theirs.  They shall be given greater service.  C.F.Hogg said that reward in the Army may consist of increased pay, rank or greater service.  The real soldier would choose greater opportunity for service.

           

The Father had appointed the Son a Kingdom but he must first suffer and die.  In like-manner, the Lord appointed his disciples a Kingdom, for they had shared with him in his trials.  It is strange he should speak of twelve thrones, when he had just spoken of the betrayer, but the election of Matthias is anticipated.  Luke is less specific as to twelve thrones than Matthew (19:28).

           

The reference to the "twelve tribes of Israel" is not easy.  It may refer to the restored nation of Israel, but it may be symbolical of the new and spiritual Israel, comprising all believers, the Church.  The thought of reward being increased for service, may suggest the new Israel; on the other hand, it may be eschatological.

           

Prediction of the apostle's desertion.  22:31-34.   Satan's request, see Job chapters 1 and 2.  All should be tested. R.V.  "You," the first pronoun is plural, see N.E.B.  The second "you," singular.  The special need of Peter.

           

The effectualness of the Lord's prayer. Because of his advocacy Peter's faith, though shaken, would not completely fail.  Only the intercession of Christ preserved Peter's faith, from failing utterly. ('ekleipo').

           

Peter's conversion.    People are not twice regenerated, but some need to be converted again.  The word 'epistrepho' is also translated, "converted," see Vines Dict.

           

When Peter was turned again, he was to strengthen his brethren, for all brothers would need help.  He would become strong, to strengthen others.  The word, "strengthen" is 'sterizo' (sterison).  It means to fix firmly, (16:26), direct one's self, or turn steadfast (9:51), and is translated "establish" in the Epistles.  See Vine's Dictionary.  Before Peter could strengthen others, he must learn the true source of strength.

           

Peters indignation.   He was self-confident and boastful.  This self-reliance was his ruin.  He knew not the power of Satan, nor his own weakness.  He was hurt to think that he was the subject of the Lord's special supplication, for he was confident he was ready to do anything for his Lord.  Therefore his rash vow.  The Lord knew all about Peter and that he would deny him, not once, but thrice, and that, before daybreak.

           

The Purse and the Sword.  22:35-38.   Danger was at hand, but the reference to the sword was symbolical, to stress that henceforth they must expect conflict and persecution.  All that was written concerning Him was about to be fulfilled and he was to be counted as a lawless, illegal person.

           

Christ's prayer.  22:39-46.   He went to Olivet, not to teach, but to pray.  The crisis had arrived.  The hour of testing had come.  Satan's activities were renewed against him and his disciples.  Prayer was their safeguard in testing.

           

The cup is the suffering and death of the cross.  The costliness of it all, now pressed upon him.  His prayer brings help from heaven.  Victory is achieved in submission to the will of the Father.  Prayer enables us to bring our will in line with God's will.  Jesus was aware that God had a plan, and all was in step with His plan.  There was the agony ('agonia') of prayer.  'Agonia' here means the terror of death.  In agony, he prayed more strenuously ('ektenesteron').  Arising victoriously from prayer, he came to find his disciples sleeping - an ill time to sleep!  "Satan always rocks the cradle when we sleep at our devotions."  Bp. Hall.

           

The arrest.  22:47-53.   The victory won in prayer, Jesus now quietly submits to arrest.  As Judas would seek to kiss him, the Lord asks him a question that should have touched his conscience.  Jesus refused to countenance any violence on the part of his disciples.  Their real task, was now to suffer.

           

What they must face is not battle, but temptation.  The Lord challenged them on their manner of arresting him.  It was from cowardliness that they did not arrest him in the daytime.  Obviously their seizure of him was only possible because the moral darkness was permitted to briefly wield its power.

           

Peter denies the Lord.  22:54-62.   Peter failed to watch unto prayer and now his weakness is exposed.  Firstly, he followed afar off.  Then secondly, he sits among those who arrested Jesus.  Peter would pass for one of their number.  They had lit a fire, for Jerusalem nights at the Passover time, was cold.  Thirdly, he denies knowing Jesus.

            The self-confident Peter turns coward at the query of a maid.  His threefold denial revealed his weakness.  Peter had been subjected to testing and failed.  However Peter loved the Lord, but he had no strength and must learn to rely on God's power.  Peter went out a broken man, and wept bitterly.

           

Mistreatment by the Officers.  22:63-65.   The Temple police subjected Jesus to brutal sport.

           

Before the Sanhedrin.  22:66-71.   They raised the charge of blasphemy.  The Sanhedrin could hold no valid meeting before daybreak, and what had been irregularly done in the night, had to be formally transacted after dawn.

           

Jesus did not repudiate the suggestion that he claimed to be the Christ, but he was a different kind of Messiah to that they expected.  He would be glorified after his death (from henceforth v.69).