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Luke 22 · Berean Standard Bible

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¹Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, ²and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death; for they feared the people. ³Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. ⁴And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. ⁵They were delighted and agreed to give him money. ⁶Judas consented, and began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them in the absence of a crowd. ⁷Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed. ⁸Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare for us to eat the Passover.” ⁹“Where do You want us to prepare it?” they asked. ¹⁰He answered, “When you enter the city, a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him to the house he enters, ¹¹and say to the owner of that house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ ¹²And he will show you a large upper room, already furnished. Make preparations there.” ¹³So they went and found it just as Jesus had told them. And they prepared the Passover. ¹⁴When the hour had come, Jesus reclined at the table with His apostles. ¹⁵And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering. ¹⁶For I tell you that I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” ¹⁷After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves. ¹⁸For I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” ¹⁹And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” ²⁰In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you. ²¹Look! The hand of My betrayer is with Mine on the table. ²²Indeed, the Son of Man will go as it has been determined, but woe to that man who betrays Him.” ²³Then they began to question among themselves which of them was going to do this. ²⁴A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them would be considered the greatest. ²⁵So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. ²⁶But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. ²⁷For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves. ²⁸You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials. ²⁹And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me, ³⁰so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ³¹Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. ³²But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” ³³“Lord,” said Peter, “I am ready to go with You even to prison and to death.” ³⁴But Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.” ³⁵Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out without purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. ³⁶“Now, however,” He told them, “the one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag; and the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. ³⁷For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about Me is reaching its fulfillment.” ³⁸So they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” He answered. ³⁹Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him. ⁴⁰When He came to the place, He told them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.” ⁴¹And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, where He knelt down and prayed, ⁴²“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” ⁴³Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. ⁴⁴And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. ⁴⁵When Jesus rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. ⁴⁶“Why are you sleeping?” He asked. “Get up and pray so that you will not enter into temptation.” ⁴⁷While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. ⁴⁸But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” ⁴⁹Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” ⁵⁰And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. ⁵¹But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him. ⁵²Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple officers, and elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against an outlaw? ⁵³Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on Me. But this hour belongs to you and to the power of darkness.” ⁵⁴Then they seized Jesus, led Him away, and took Him into the house of the high priest. And Peter followed at a distance. ⁵⁵When those present had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. ⁵⁶A servant girl saw him seated in the firelight and looked intently at him. “This man also was with Him,” she said. ⁵⁷But Peter denied it. “Woman, I do not know Him,” he said. ⁵⁸A short time later, someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” ⁵⁹About an hour later, another man insisted, “Certainly this man was with Him, for he too is a Galilean.” ⁶⁰“Man, I do not know what you are talking about,” Peter replied. While he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. ⁶¹And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” ⁶²And he went outside and wept bitterly. ⁶³The men who were holding Jesus began to mock Him and beat Him. ⁶⁴They blindfolded Him and kept demanding, “Prophesy! Who hit You?” ⁶⁵And they said many other blasphemous things against Him. ⁶⁶At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said, ⁶⁷“If You are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe. ⁶⁸And if I ask you a question, you will not answer. ⁶⁹But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” ⁷⁰So they all asked, “Are You then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” ⁷¹“Why do we need any more testimony?” they declared. “We have heard it for ourselves from His own lips.”

Berean Standard Bible · public domain. More versions and languages in the Reading Plan.

Luke

Luke 22

The Covenant of Betrayal and the Servant King’s Supper

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Objective

To reveal the solemn unfolding of Jesus’ final Passover meal with His disciples, the betrayal that sets His passion in motion, and His teaching on servant leadership amid looming suffering.

Overview

Luke 22 draws the reader into the sacred tension of the Last Supper, where Jesus institutes the new covenant in His body and blood, foretelling His imminent betrayal. The chapter unfolds with Judas’ dark decision, the preparation for the Passover, the institution of the Lord’s Supper, the disciples’ strife over greatness, Jesus’ prayerful agony, and Peter’s denial foretold and fulfilled. It is a moment where divine purpose meets human frailty, and the kingdom of God is revealed in humility and sacrifice.

Detailed Analysis

Event Description

As the feast of unleavened bread, the Passover, approaches, the chief priests and scribes conspire to kill Jesus, fearing the people’s reaction. Into this dark counsel enters Satan, taking possession of Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples. Judas negotiates with the religious leaders to betray Jesus for money, seeking an opportune moment when the crowds are absent.

Central Themes

The spiritual battle behind human treachery

the fulfillment of divine sovereignty through human betrayal

the presence of evil intent amid sacred time.

Cultural & Historical Context

The Passover commemorates Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, a time of remembrance and covenant renewal. The chief priests’ fear reflects the political-religious tension under Roman occupation. Judas’ betrayal echoes Old Testament motifs of treachery and the role of Satan as adversary (Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 11:12-13).

Key Verse

Luke 22:3

Vivid Artistic Descriptions

The Plot of Betrayal and the Entrance of Darkness

A shadowed council chamber where scheming figures whisper behind veils of fear, while a dark, sinister presence slips into the heart of a disciple, his eyes clouded with resolve and despair.

Preparation and the Longed-For Passover Meal

A dim city street at twilight, two disciples following a man bearing a water pitcher, leading into a warmly lit upper room adorned for a sacred meal, anticipation glowing in the air.

The Institution of the New Covenant in Body and Blood

A long table bathed in soft light, Jesus breaking bread with hands marked by coming suffering, the cup raised as a symbol of covenant, faces around the table caught between hope and sorrow.

Disciples’ Strife and Jesus’ Teaching on Servanthood

A circle of disciples in heated debate, contrasted with Jesus seated humbly, washing feet or serving, embodying the paradox of true greatness in quiet service.

The Spiritual Battle and Prayer in Gethsemane

A solitary figure kneeling beneath an olive tree under a darkened sky, sweat like drops of blood falling to the earth, while shadows loom and disciples slumber nearby, weighed down by sorrow.

The Arrest, Peter’s Denial, and Jesus’ Trial Before the Council

A chaotic courtyard scene with soldiers seizing Jesus, a disciple’s sword raised then restrained, Peter’s anguished face turning away as a cock crows, and a shadowed council chamber where Jesus stands resolute.

Song

Luke 22 Song

Verse 1

In the shadowed night, the traitor’s hand, / Satan’s whisper in the chosen band, / Hearts divided, the covenant torn, / Yet love prepares the sacred morn.

Verse 2

Disciples quarrel for the highest place, / Jesus bends with servant’s grace, / Kingdom’s power in humble feet, / Greatness found in love complete.

Verse 3

Betrayed with kiss, arrested night, / Peter’s denial, fading light, / Yet tears fall bitter, faith restored, / The path of suffering toward the Lord.

Chorus

Break the bread, pour the cup, / Body given, blood poured up, / Remember Me in this holy feast, / The servant King, the sinner’s peace.

Bridge

In Gethsemane’s garden deep, / Agony falls, the soul to keep, / Father’s will above His own, / Strengthened by angels, not alone.

Final Chorus

Break the bread, pour the cup, / Body given, blood poured up, / Remember Me in this holy feast, / The servant King, the sinner’s peace.

Practical Application

Personal Life

Embrace Jesus’ call to humility, serving others even when misunderstood or betrayed.

Commit to prayerful dependence on God’s will, especially in times of trial and temptation.

Reflect on the meaning of the Lord’s Supper as a personal participation in Christ’s sacrifice.

Community & Society

Foster servant leadership within the church and community, valuing others above self.

Encourage accountability and faithfulness, learning from Peter’s failure and restoration.

Celebrate the Lord’s Supper as a communal remembrance that unites believers in Christ.

Global Perspective

Recognize the spiritual battle behind injustice and betrayal in the world, praying for God’s kingdom to come.

Promote peace and nonviolence, following Jesus’ example in the face of aggression.

Proclaim the new covenant of grace and redemption to all nations, inviting participation in Christ’s kingdom.

Conclusion

Luke 22 unveils the profound mystery of the suffering Servant who, amidst betrayal and human weakness, institutes a new covenant of grace. Jesus teaches that true greatness is found in humble service, models prayerful submission, and faces the darkness of rejection with steadfast love. This chapter calls believers to remember His sacrifice, embody servant-heartedness, and trust God’s sovereign plan even in the shadow of the cross.