March 28, 2024
Big Book Idea
He is Risen!
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus 1 22:8 Greek he sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” 9 They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 10 He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters 11 and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it 2 22:16 Some manuscripts never eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 3 22:20 Some manuscripts omit, in whole or in part, verses 19b-20 (which is given in my blood) 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.
Luke was a physician (Col. 4:14) and a travel companion of the apostle Paul. He wrote this Gospel and its sequel, the book of Acts. The earliest possible date of Luke–Acts is immediately after the events that Luke recorded in Acts 28, which would have been c. A.D. 62. Both Luke and Acts are addressed to “Theophilus” (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1), about whom nothing more is known. Luke’s broader audience consisted primarily of Gentile Christians like Theophilus who had already “been taught” (Luke 1:4) about Jesus.
The gospel is for all, Jews and Gentiles alike, since Jesus is the promised one of God as prophesied in the OT and as seen in God’s saving activity in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The Christian traditions Luke’s readers have received are true; by believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, they will receive the promised Holy Spirit whom he gives to all who follow him.
Luke probably had several goals in writing: (1) to assure his readers of the truth of what they had been taught; (2) to help them understand how Israel’s rejection of Jesus and the Gentiles’ entrance into the kingdom of God are part of God’s plan; (3) to clarify that Jesus did not teach that his bodily return would come immediately but that there would be a period between his resurrection and his return; and (4) to emphasize that they need not fear any mere earthly power such as Rome.
The events in the book of Luke take place almost entirely within the vicinity of Palestine, an area extending roughly from Caesarea Philippi in the north to Beersheba in the south. During this time it was ruled by the Roman Empire. The opening chapters describe events surrounding Jesus’ birth in Judea, where Herod had been appointed king by the Romans. The closing chapters end with Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension during the rule of Pontius Pilate and the tetrarchs Antipas and Philip.
After Jesus and his disciples ate the Passover meal, they crossed the Kidron Valley and entered a garden called Gethsemane (meaning “oil press”), where they often spent time while visiting Jerusalem (see 22:39).
Day | Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Friday/Saturday | Jesus arrives in Bethany | 12:1 | |||
Mary anoints Jesus | 12:2–8 | ||||
Crowd comes to see Jesus | 12:9–11 | ||||
Sunday | Triumphal entry into Jerusalem | 21:1–11 | 11:1–10 | 19:28–44 | 12:12–18 |
Some Greeks seek Jesus | 12:20–36 | ||||
Jesus weeps over Jerusalem | 19:41 | ||||
Enters temple | 11:11 | ||||
Returns to Bethany | 21:17 | 11:11 | |||
Monday | Jesus curses the fig tree | 21:18–19 | 11:12–14 | ||
Clears the temple | 21:12–13 | 11:15–17 | 19:45–46 | ||
Returns to Bethany with the Twelve | 11:19 | ||||
Tuesday | Disciples see the withered fig tree on the return to Jerusalem | 21:20–22 | 11:20–21 | ||
Temple controversies in Jerusalem | 21:23–23:39 | 11:27–12:44 | 20:1–21:4 | ||
Olivet Discourse on the return to Bethany | 24:1–25:46 | 13:1–37 | 21:5–36 | ||
Wednesday | Jesus continues daily teaching in the temple | 21:37–38 | |||
Sanhedrin plots to kill Jesus | 26:3–5 | 14:1–2 | 22:1–2 | ||
Wednesday/Thursday | Preparations for the Passover | 26:17–19 | 14:12–16 | 22:7–13 | |
Thursday | Passover meal/Last Supper | 26:20–35 | 14:17–26 | 22:14–30 | |
Upper Room Discourse | 13:1–17:26 | ||||
Jesus prays in Gethsemane | 26:36–46 | 14:32–42 | 22:39–46 | ||
Friday | Betrayal and arrest (after midnight?) | 26:47–56 | 14:43–52 | 22:47–53 | 18:2–12 |
Jewish trial: | |||||
—before Annas | 18:13–24 | ||||
—before Caiaphas and part of the Sanhedrin | 26:57–75 | 14:53–72 | 22:54–65 | 18:19–24 | |
—before full Sanhedrin (after sunrise?) | 27:1–2 | 15:1 | 22:66–71 | ||
Roman trials: | |||||
—before Pilate | 27:2–14 | 15:2–5 | 23:1–5 | ||
—before Herod | 23:6–12 | ||||
—before Pilate | 27:15–26 | 15:6–15 | 23:13–25 | 18:28–19:16 | |
Crucifixion (approx. 9:00 A.M.to 3:00 P.M.) | 27:27–54 | 15:16–39 | 23:26–49 | 19:16–37 | |
Burial (evening) | 27:57–61 | 15:42–47 | 23:50–54 | 19:38–42 | |
Sunday | Empty-tomb witnesses | 28:1–8 | 16:1–8 | 24:1–12 | |
Resurrection appearances | 28:9–20 | 16:9–20 | 24:13–53 | 20:1–21:25 |
Luke 22:7–13 on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. See note on Matt. 26:17. The Passover meal had to be eaten in Jerusalem (Deut. 16:5–6). Go and prepare involved having the lamb sacrificed at the temple, roasting it, preparing the room for the meal, and preparing various side dishes. The disciples would be met by a man carrying a jar of water—something one would expect a woman to be doing. The secretive nature of the meeting suggests that Jesus was seeking privacy. Everything takes place just as he had told them (compare Luke 19:32), suggesting either a prearrangement or a miraculous work of God.
After Jesus and his disciples ate the Passover meal, they crossed the Kidron Valley and entered a garden called Gethsemane (meaning “oil press”), where they often spent time while visiting Jerusalem (see 22:39).
Luke 22:14 when the hour came. The “hour” to celebrate the Passover (v. 15) and, in a broader sense, the “hour” of Jesus’ suffering and death (v. 53; John 13:1; 17:1). he reclined at table. The Passover was eaten in a reclining position, as were other festive meals (Luke 11:37; see note on Matt. 26:20).
Luke 22:16 I will not eat it means “I will not eat it again” (see ESV footnote). Until it is fulfilled refers to the future messianic banquet (see note on Rev. 19:9–10).
Luke 22:17 took a cup. See note on Matt. 26:27.
Luke 22:19 The expression This is my body has been interpreted in various ways throughout the history of the church. Roman Catholics believe that the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ. Lutherans believe that the literal body and blood of Christ are present “in, with, and under” the bread and wine. Some Anglicans refer to the “real presence” of Christ in the bread and wine. Most other Protestants believe that the body and blood of Christ are not literally, physically present in the elements of the meal, but that Christ is present symbolically. Most would also add that Christ is present spiritually with and in those who receive the elements in faith. given for you. This same verb is connected to sacrifice in Mark 10:45; Luke 2:24; Gal. 1:4. The Greek translated “for you” often has the meaning of one person doing something in place of someone else. Jesus’ body will take the place of the Passover lamb. God will “pass over” the sins of the people because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Do this in remembrance of me. See note on 1 Cor. 11:24.
Luke 22:20 This cup. See notes on Matt. 26:28; Luke 22:42. New covenant in my blood (see “blood of the covenant,” Ex. 24:8; see also Lev. 17:11–14) indicates that Jesus’ blood is sacrificial blood, sealing a new covenant. Poured out, that is, in death. for you. Compare Mark 14:24; Luke 22:19.
Luke 22:21 the hand of him who betrays me. See note on Matt. 26:23.
Luke 22:22 The approaching death of the Son of Man has been determined by God. However, woe to that man by whom he is betrayed means that Judas is still responsible for his actions (see note on Mark 14:21).
Luke 22:14–23 Luke’s version of Jesus’ final Passover meal with his disciples differs in two ways from Matt. 26:17–29 and Mark 14:17–25. Luke places Jesus’ statement about his betrayal after the meal rather than before (probably an arrangement by topic), and he refers to two cups (Luke 22:17–18, 20) rather than one.
Luke 22:23 which of them it could be. Judas is still present. His behavior, like his previous conduct, apparently did not give him away as the traitor.
Is there a favorite tradition or memorial that you look forward to each year? Just over 17 years ago, I had a pretty serious surgery, and each year my family remembers the Lord's faithfulness during that time.
Our passage opens on the "day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed." (Luke 22:7) The history of the Passover starts in Genesis 15 when God tells Abraham that his future descendants will be servants in a foreign land for 400 years, but then promises to bring judgment on that land. Fast forward to Exodus 12 when the Lord executes the tenth plague against Egypt, causing Pharaoh to basically beg the Israelites to leave the country. The angel of death was sent to strike down the firstborn in every house in Egypt, both man and beast.
The only escape from this horrific plague was to be covered by the blood of the lamb. Each family was to sacrifice a male lamb without blemish and sprinkle its blood on their doorposts. When the angel of death came through, every doorpost with sprinkled blood would be passed over, escaping the plague. This story of the Lord's faithfulness in providing a way out of Egypt was to be celebrated and recounted yearly.
Jesus regularly celebrated Passover in Jerusalem, as noted throughout the gospel accounts. In today's passage, this memorial Passover meal is Jesus' last before being crucified (Luke 22:15-16). Come the next day, He would be our perfect Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), shedding His blood to cancel sinners' record of debt and protect them from the plague of eternal judgment.
The Passover meal was eaten as an annual tradition to remind the people of their identification with the lamb's death. Under the New Covenant, we take the Lord's Supper as a memorial of our Passover Lamb's death (Galatians 2:20).
Church, the next time we take the Lord's Supper, let us echo John the Baptist's Spirit-led identification of Jesus, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) Praise Him for being our perfect, redeeming, life-giving Passover Lamb! Great is His faithfulness.
This month's memory verse
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1. Can you recall a time when you were "enslaved" by a particular circumstance or idol, and the Lord faithfully delivered you? How can you regularly celebrate, reflect on, and rest in His goodness throughout that season?
2. In Luke 22:17, Jesus says to "divide [the cup] among yourselves." How are you doing at sharing the good news of salvation? How about sharing the blessings that He has showered upon you in grace? What are practical ways that you can share your time, talents, and treasures for the benefit of the Kingdom?
3. In Luke 22:22, Jesus reconfirms His confidence in His purpose ("For the Son of Man goes [to the cross] as it has been determined . . . ."). Do you know your purpose as a believer? How are you honestly doing at living out that purpose daily? If you're not sure what your purpose is, 2 Corinthians 5:20 is a great starting point.
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