Preface: Luke 22 takes place over about a 20–24 hour period of time. This chapter begins with things which take place prior to the day of crucifixion; then the night comes and Jesus and His disciples enjoy a Passover meal together. Jesus then takes three disciples into the nearby hills to pray, and He is set upon by armed men of the Jewish religious hierarchy there to arrest Him (His location revealed to them by Judas). During that night, Jesus is taken to the homes of the High Priests Annas and Caiaphas. In that second home, it appears that there was an informal meeting of the Sanhedrin. Outside, while this is taking place, Peter denies Jesus three times, and departs in fear and shame. In the morning, Jesus is again taken before the Sanhedrin, but this time officially.

Bible Summary: Jesus took Passover with the disciples. He prayed at the Mount of Olives. Judas betrayed him to the chief priests. Peter denied him.

This should be the most extensive examination of Luke 22 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text.

Outline of Chapter 22:

Preface

Introduction

         vv.     1–2           Chief Priests and Scribes Plot to Kill Jesus

         vv.     3–6           Judas Makes a Deal to Betray the Lord for Money

         vv.     7–13         Peter and John Organize the Passover Meal

         vv.    14–20         Jesus Has the First Eucharist with His Disciples

         vv.    21–23         Jesus Tells His Disciples that Someone at the Table Will Betray Him

         vv.    24–30         The Disciples Argue as to Who is the Greatest/Jesus Teaches Them Grace

         vv.    31–34         Jesus Warns Peter that He will Deny the Lord Thrice Before the Night is Done

         vv.    35–38         Jesus Speaks to the Disciples About Preparations

         vv.    39–46         Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives/the Disciples Fall Asleep

         vv.    47–53         Judas Betrays the Lord/the Lord Prevents Violence from Breaking Out

         vv.    54–62         Peter Thrice Denies the Lord

         vv.    63–65         The Temple Guard Mocks Jesus

         vv.    66–71         Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Luke 22 (by Various Commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Luke 22 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Luke 22

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Prequel of Luke 22

         Introduction         The Principals of Luke 22

         Introduction         The Places of Luke 22

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Luke 22

         Introduction         Outlines and Summaries of Luke 22 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Luke 22 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Big Picture (Luke 20–24)

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions

         v.       1              Exodus 12:1–17 (a review)

         v.       2              The Plot of the Religious Hierarchy (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)

         v. 

         v.       3              Judas in the Old Testament/Judas the Betrayer

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v.       6              Judas Makes Plans to Betray Jesus (Matthew, Mark and Luke)

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      13              Peter and John Prepare for the Passover Meal (Matthew, Mark and Luke)

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      20              Luke 22:19c₂–20 Examined from the Standpoint of Textual Criticism

         v.      20              Jesus Inaugurates the First Eucharist (Matthew, Mark and Luke)

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      23              Jesus Reveals that He Would Be Betrayed (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      34              Jesus tells Peter that he will betray Him (Matthew, Mark and Luke)

         v.      35              God’s Divine Institutions (a brief summary)

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      46              Jesus Praying on Gethsemane (Matthew, Mark and Luke)

         v. 

         v.      48              Judas Betrays Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      51              Peter Takes of the Ear of a Servant (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      53              Jesus Questions the Religious Mob (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)

         v.      54              The Order of Events from John

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      62              Peter Denies the Lord (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      71              Before the Sanhedrin and the Beatings (Matthew, Mark and Luke)

         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Luke 22 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Luke 22

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Luke 22

         Summary 

         Summary 

         Addendum          The Passover, or the Passover lamb, is a type of Christ

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 22:1–6

         Addendum          The Abbreviated Doctrine of Typology

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 22:7–12

         Addendum          The Lord’s Supper (from the Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 22:13–18

         Addendum          New American Bible Footnotes from Luke 22:19

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 22:19–20

         Addendum          The Blood of Christ (by R. B. Thieme, Jr.)

         Addendum          The Doctrine of Divine Decrees (by R. B. Thieme, Jr.)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 22:21–23

         Addendum          The Apostles Have Learned Little (from the Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 22:24–30

         Addendum          Judging the Twelve Tribes of IsraEl (from the 2001 Translation)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 22:31–34

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 22:35–38

         Addendum          Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemene (from the Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 22:39–46

         Addendum          A Kiss, Jesus, and Man (from the New Jerusalem Bible)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 22:47–53

         Addendum          Why Did They Kill Him? (from the Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 22:54–61

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 22:63–65

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Commentary on Luke 22:66–71

         Addendum 

         Addendum 

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Luke 22

         Addendum 

         Addendum          Doctrinal Teachers Who Have Taught Luke 22

         Addendum          Word Cloud from the Kukis Paraphrase of Luke 22

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Luke 22

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An Introduction to Luke 22

I ntroduction: Luke 22 appears to be a period of 24 hours. However, as the final day prior to the crucifixion, a great deal takes place. The first two verses tell us that the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are approaching; and that the religious leaders are looking to actually kill Jesus. Jesus seems to have moved into the Temple Courtyard, where He teaches all day, and draws very large crowds to hear Him. Because Jesus is so favored by the people (not all of the people, but by a large number of them), the religious leaders can figure out that taking Him while teaching would result in a riot. Vv. 1–2.

Satan enters into Judas Iscariot, and he goes to make a deal with the religious leaders to deliver Jesus over to them (obviously, this would have to take place at night). Vv. 3–6.

The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread was the Passover. Luke calls this the day of, but that is because he is a Greek. The Jewish believers consider this day to begin around 6 or 7 pm, when it is dusk.

Although I said that Luke 22 is a 24 hour day, the events of vv. 1–6 probably take place prior to this 24 hour period of time.

The Romans would consider the day spoken of in v. 7 as the day of the Passover (and we would too). The Jews began their days at nightfall. Therefore, they see this particular day as the day before the Passover (but as the day of preparation).

There is often discussion as to when this or that book was written. In Luke 22, we have evidence of its time of writing. Paul, in 1Corinthians 11:25–26 refers back to Luke 22 and actually quotes from it. This is a second thing which helps us to place the writing of Luke in time. Because Luke wrote Luke first and then Acts; and that Luke stops writing the book of Acts a few years before Paul’s final missionary tour (pieced together from his epistles), we know that when Luke stopped writing Acts, Paul was imprisoned in Rome, which was somewhere between a.d. 60–62. Now, if Paul quotes Luke 22, in 1Corinthians, then Luke 22 would have been written prior to 1Corinthians. The first book of Corinthians was written a.d. 54–57; which places the writing of the book of Luke around that time (recall that Paul and Luke work together as missionaries, so Paul would have been aware of Luke’s writings and would be able to quote from them.

There was a lot in this chapter; and a lot to compare with regards to the other gospels. I did not take these comparisons much further than putting the text side-by-side. However, in the case of the different accounts of the rooster crowing and Peter denying the Lord thrice—I felt is was necessary to explain how we have different accounts in the gospels.

Be forewarned that, when you see the gospels side-by-side, there are some minor discrepancies which are not always easy to explain. Where I notice these, I will try to come up with a plausible explanation. A plausible explanation simply means, something which could have happened a certain way which would explain why two gospels seem to read differently. The explanation may be what actually happened.

In any case, where you have four different witnesses (or more, as Luke may have received reports from more than one person on these few days), then individual perception is going to be key. Even though two accounts may appear to be different, they can be accurate accounts and talking about the same thing.

Furthermore, you may find it exhausting to read over these comparative passages regarding twelve incidents, but it is through these comparisons that we can draw a great many conclusions about what exactly took place. To me, piecing these accounts together is like a puzzle, and this puzzle often yields a great many clues. For instance, we may wonder, “Just how did Luke know about this incident taking place?” There are clues found in Luke and also found in other gospels which suggest an answer to such questions.

One thing which I found quite interesting as a commentator is, it is very rare for the gospels to line up word-by-word for any section, apart from the actual words of Jesus. Now and again, two gospel writers may have a 3 or 5 word phrase which matches, but almost never a full sentence.

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Chief Priests and Scribes Plot to Kill Jesus

Matthew 26:3–5 Mark 14:1–2 John 11:55–57

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       I will use the Westcott-Hort Greek text as the basis for my English translation. I use that test primarily because e-sword has a nice module by Rob Wolfram which has the interlinear English text, Strong’s #’s, and the Greek morphology. The e-sword tab is IWH+P. I do not use their English text for my translation. Also, throughout, I take in consideration alternate readings.

As a young Christian, I was quite interested in the alternative readings. After many decades of study, I have found that, as with the Hebrew text, disputed readings rarely have any affect on the interpretation of a text (apart from perhaps a half-dozen fairly well-known alternate readings, like the end of the book of Mark).

I will compare the Greek text to English translations of the Latin and Syriac (= Aramaic) texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation and George Lamsa’s translation from the Syriac. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.).

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls are irrelevant, as they preceded the writing of the New Testament by over 200 years.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    But was coming near the Feast of the Unleavened Breads, the one being called Passover.

Complete Apostles’ Bible      Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover.

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the pasch, was at hand.

Holy Aramaic Scriptures        Now, the Feast-Day of Phatiyre {Unleavened Cakes} was near, which is called Peskha {Passover}.

James Murdock’s Syriac NT And the feast of unleavened cakes, which is called the passover, drew near.

Original Aramaic NT              Now The Feast of Unleavened Bread was nearing, which is called Passover.*

Significant differences: 

English Translations:          I have included translations which I disagree with and footnotes that I do not necessarily agree with. If I believe that the author is too far from the truth, I may even address that at the footnote. However, nearly all of the correct commentary will be found following the Greek text box and the translation of each phrase.

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             Now the feast of unleavened bread was near, which is called the Passover.

Bible in Worldwide English     It was near the time for the feast with bread that has no yeast in it. This is called the Passover Feast.

Easy English                          Judas agrees to catch Jesus

The Passover festival when the Jews eat flat bread was coming soon.

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  It was almost time for the Jewish Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover.

God’s Word™                         The Festival of Unleavened Bread, called Passover, was near.

Good News Bible (TEV)         The time was near for the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover.

J. B. Phillips                           Judas Iscariot becomes the tool of the authorities

Now as the feast of unleavened bread, called the Passover, was approaching, fear of the people made the chief priests and scribes try desperately to find a way of getting rid of Jesus. V. 2 is included for context.

NIRV                                      Judas Agrees to Hand Jesus Over

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was near.

New Life Version                    They Look for a Way to Put Jesus to Death

The time for the supper of bread without yeast was near. It was the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt.

New Simplified Bible              The feast of unleavened bread was near. This is called the Passover.

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible              ONE LAST MEAL

JUDAS SETS UP JESUS

It was almost time for the Jewish holiday called the Festival of Yeast-free Bread,[1] also known as Passover.[2]

¹22:1More literally, “Festival of Unleavened Bread.” This was flatbread made with no yeast. Yeast is what makes bread dough rise. Many Jews today celebrate the holiday by eating cracker-like matzo. Tortillas would also qualify. The festival is a seven-day celebration beginning on the 14th day of the first month in the Jewish new year—Nisan—usually sometime in March or April. It varies because the Jewish calendar is based on the cycles of the moon.

²22:1Jews call this holiday by its Hebrew name: Pesach (PAY-sah).

Contemporary English V.       The Festival of Thin Bread, also called Passover, was near.

The Living Bible                     And now the Passover celebration was drawing near—the Jewish festival when only bread made without yeast was used.

New Berkeley Version           .

New Living Translation           Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching.

The Passion Translation        As the celebration of the Passover Lamb was approaching, the Jewish religious leaders and scholars of the law continually schemed to find a way to murder Jesus without starting a riot—for they feared the crowds. V. 2 is included for context.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  It was now almost time for the Celebration of Unleavened Bread, which people also call the Passover.

Williams’ New Testament      .

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          Now, as the Festival of Passover was drawing near, the Chief Priests and Scribes were looking for ways to get rid of Jesus. However, they were still afraid of the people. V. 2 is included for context.

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            The Yeastless Bread Festival, that is called the Passover, was near.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       And now the feast of unleavened bread, the paschal feast, as it is called, was drawing near.

NT for Everyone                     The Last Supper

The time came for the festival of unleavened bread, known as Passover.

20^th Century New Testament The Feast of the Unleavened Bread, known as the Passover, was near.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Conservapedia Translation    It was the eve of the feast of unleavened bread, which they called Passover.

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                The Approaching Passover.

The festival Of unfermented bread, known as the Passover, was now drawing near.

International Standard V                                              The Plot to Kill Jesus

(Matthew 26:1-5, 14-16; Mark 14:1-2, 10-11; John 11:45-53)

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near.

Lexham Bible                         The Chief Priests and Scribes Plot to Kill Jesus

Now the feast of Unleavened Bread (which is called Passover) was drawing near.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

The Heritage Bible                 And the feast of unleavened bread drew near, the one called Passover.

New American Bible (2011)   VII. THE PASSION NARRATIVE* (22:1–23:56)

The Conspiracy Against Jesus.

^a Now the feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover,* was drawing near, ^b and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to put him to death, for they were afraid of the people.

* [22:1–23:56a] The passion narrative. Luke is still dependent upon Mark for the composition of the passion narrative but has incorporated much of his own special tradition into the narrative. Among the distinctive sections in Luke are: (1) the tradition of the institution of the Eucharist (Lk 22:15–20); (2) Jesus’ farewell discourse (Lk 22:21–38); (3) the mistreatment and interrogation of Jesus (Lk 22:63–71); (4) Jesus before Herod and his second appearance before Pilate (Lk 23:6–16); (5) words addressed to the women followers on the way to the crucifixion (Lk 23:27–32); (6) words to the penitent thief (Lk 23:39–41); (7) the death of Jesus (Lk 23:46, 47b–49). Luke stresses the innocence of Jesus (Lk 23:4, 14–15, 22) who is the victim of the powers of evil (Lk 22:3, 31, 53) and who goes to his death in fulfillment of his Father’s will (Lk 22:42, 46). Throughout the narrative Luke emphasizes the mercy, compassion, and healing power of Jesus (Lk 22:51; 23:43) who does not go to death lonely and deserted, but is accompanied by others who follow him on the way of the cross (Lk 23:26–31, 49).

* [22:1] Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover: see note on Mk 14:1.

a. [22:1–2] Mt 26:1–5; Mk 14:1–2; Jn 11:47–53.

b. [22:2] 19:47–48; 20:19; Mt 21:46; Mk 12:12; Jn 5:18; 7:30.

New Catholic Bible                 The Passion and Resurrection^[a]

Chapter 22

The Conspiracy against Jesus.^[b] Now the feast of Unleavened Bread, known as the Passover, was drawing near, and the chief priests and the scribes were looking for some way to put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people. V. 2 is included for context.

[a] The salvation of human beings is accomplished in a unique event: Christ’s Death and Resurrection. This is the Paschal mystery. The account that follows is fashioned by this principal testimony; hence it must be read as a unified whole. From the beginnings of the Church, this is the Gospel, the essence of the Christian announcement.

[b] Before the episodes of the Passion unfold, the plot thickens with the adversaries of Jesus. The leaders of the people take the initiative in the plot, and the traitor serves them as an instrument, but it is the spirit of evil who initiates the last combat.

Revised English Bible–1989   The Plot to Kill Jesus (Jerusalem)

[ Lk.22.1-2 → ] - Mt.26.1-5, Mk.14.1-2, Jn.11.45-53

NOW THE FESTIVAL of Unleavened Bread, known as Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the doctors of the law were trying to devise some means of doing away with him; for they were afraid of the people. V. 2 is included for context.

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           But the festival of Matzah, known as Pesach, was approaching; and the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers began trying to find some way to get rid of Yeshua, because they were afraid of the people. V. 2 is included for context.

exeGeses companion Bible   .

Holy New Covenant Trans.    It was almost time for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover Festival.

The Scriptures 2009              And the Festival of Matzot^a drew near, which is called Pesa?^.b

^aUnleavened Bread. ^bPassover.

Tree of Life Version                Now the Feast of Matzah, which is called Passover, was approaching.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...approached but The Feast [of] the [things] unleavened The [One] Being Said pascha...

Awful Scroll Bible                   Moreover, the Feast of the Unleavened Bread, was drawing near, being called the Passover.

Concordant Literal Version    Now near drew the festival of unleavened bread, termed the Passover."

exeGeses companion Bible   SATAN ENTERS YAH HUDAH THE URBANITE

And the celebration of matsah approaches,

which is worded, pasach.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           And the Chag HaMatzot was approaching, the feast called Pesach.

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

An Understandable Version   Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. [Note: This was the annual Jewish festival commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage under Moses’ leadership].

The Expanded Bible              Judas Betrays Jesus

It was almost time for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover Feast [^C celebrating God’s rescue of Israel from Egypt; Ex. 12].

Jonathan Mitchell NT             Now the festival of the unleavened [bread] (or: feast of Matzah) – the one being normally termed Passover – continued drawing near.

P. Kretzmann Commentary    Verses 1-6

The Preparation for, and the Celebration of, the Passover.

The Jewish leaders and Judas:

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

Syndein/Thieme                     ``Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, kept on approaching/'drawing near'.

Translation for Translators              Judas agreed to put Jesus into his enemies’ hands.

Luke 22:1-6

It was now almost time to celebrate the festival of Unleavened Bread, which began with the Passover festival.

The Voice                               This daily pattern continued as they came closer to the holiday of Unleavened Bread, also known as the Passover.

Bible Translations with a Lot of Footnotes:

NET Bible®                             Judas’ Decision to Betray Jesus

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread,¹ which is called the Passover, was approaching.

^1sn The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a week long celebration that followed the day of Passover, so one name was used for both feasts (Exod 12:1-20; 23:15; 34:18; Deut 16:1-8).

Rotherham’s Emphasized B.                   § 85. Judas bargains to Betray his Master.

Mt. xxvi. 1, 2, 14–16; Mk. xiv. 1, 2, 10, 11.

Chapter 22.

And the feast of the unleavened breadˎ^l which is calledʹ a Passoverˎ was drawing near.

^l Ml: “cakes.”

The Spoken English NT         The Leaders Look for a Way to Kill Jesus (Mt. 26:1-5, 14-16; Mk 14:1-2, 10-11; Jn 11:45-53)
The festival of Unleavened Bread^a was getting close, which is called the Passover.^b

^a.This is bread that has no yeast in it, so it doesn’t rise. Matzo cracker bread is an example. See Exodus 12 (esp. vv.14-15) for the story behind the custom.

^b.See “Bible Words.”

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     Judas joins the plot against Jesus
Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called ‘Passover’, drew near.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

Literal New Testament           AND DREW NEAR THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED [BREAD] WHICH [IS] CALLED PASSOVER; AND WERE SEEKING THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE SCRIBES AS TO HOW THEY MIGHT PUT TO DEATH HIM, FOR THEY FEARED THE PEOPLE. V. 2 is included for context.

Modern English Version         The Plot to Kill Jesus

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, drew near.

Modern Literal Version 2020  {Mar 14:1-2 & Mat 26:1-5 & Luk 22:1-2 mountain Olives, Bethany, Jerusalem, Tues. Evening, Wed. for the Jews.}

Now the feast of unleavened bread was drawing near, which is called* the Passover.