Luke 22:1-38 - Jesus: Our Passover

If you have your Bibles with you, we will be walking through Luke 22:1-38.

Do you remember the story of Joseph, Jacob's favored son? God gave him dreams that one day he would rule over his family. But when Joseph shared those dreams with his brothers, they hated him for it. The jealousy of him as the favored son eventually led them to sell Joseph into slavery, which sent him down into Egypt. Following this were years of suffering, betrayal, false accusation, and imprisonment. Yet through it all, God was sovereignly at work. The very evil meant to destroy Joseph became the exact means that God used to preserve His people and rescue the world from famine. Later when Joseph’s brothers were terrified of revenge, he said: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” What looked like chaos was actually God sovereignly accomplishing redemption for His people. Keep this redemptive reality in mind.

To remind us where we are in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus has just cleansed the temple in Jerusalem. He drove out its corruption, turning it away from a place of buying and selling, and restoring it to what it was meant to be: a house of prayer for the nations. After this, Jesus has been daily teaching and preaching in the temple about the good news of the kingdom of God and lastly about the coming destruction of Jerusalem for its rejection of him. Yet throughout this entire time, the religious leaders have been plotting to find a way to destroy Him.

What we are going to see in this passage is that they have found a way to arrest Jesus away from the crowds, through the treachery of one of Jesus’ disciples. Imagine the chaos the disciples would soon be feeling when the Savior they trusted is suddenly betrayed and arrested, causing them to abandon Jesus.

We, just like the disciples, can be tempted to deny or even abandon Jesus when everything around us seems out of control, and it feels like God has lost control of our situation. But what if we could see that in the most chaotic and terrible event in human history, the betrayal and crucifixion of the perfect and innocent Son of God, Jesus was not defeated? What if He was sovereignly fulfilling all that God had promised and planned for our redemption through the chaos? If this is true, then we can trust that even in our own chaotic and painful circumstances, Christ hasn't lost control. Instead, He is faithfully accomplishing His purposes for us, giving us settled confidence, peace, and hope, even in the worst of times. 

So let’s listen with expectation as we walk through this passage section by section.

The first thing we see in verses 1-13 is how Jesus Sovereignly Moves Toward the Cross.

Let's begin with verses 1 and 2. Here we see the religious leaders secretly plotting Jesus' death out of fear and self-preservation. 

Luke 22:1–2 ESV

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

Jesus is being plotted against by the religious leaders to execute Him. That is really what that phrase "put him to death" means. They are seeking judicial execution. But they need to do it in a way that the general public will not know about until it is too late. 

The reason for this is that they are terrified of the ramifications and the chaos that might come about if they openly destroy the people's hope in Jesus as the Messiah. If a riot breaks out, they risk losing their standing, their peace, and ultimately, their own power with their delicate Roman relationships. 

But notice the incredible irony: in seeking to destroy Jesus, they are actually, unknowingly, fulfilling God's plan for the true Passover Lamb. These are the religious authorities, and they are carrying out God's word and God's promises even though they are actively opposing God's Messiah. God sovereignly plans their very plotting for the ultimate good of our redemption.

Next, let's look at verses 3 to 6, where we see how Satan uses Judas to fulfill the leaders' secret plot.

Luke 22:3–6 ESV

Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

Satan enters Judas, called Iscariot, who is explicitly noted as being "of the number of the twelve." This is an intimate betrayal. In fact, Judas was known by Jesus to be a traitor all along. Jesus would elsewhere quote the Psalms, noting that the one who ate bread with Him has turned against Him. In the ancient Near East, table fellowship was a sign of deep, committed friendship. They were eating together constantly, and yet Judas betrayed Him.

The text says Judas went away and "conferred" with the chief priests and officers. This word speaks of deliberate planning, spending time calculating, plotting, and strategizing how they might arrest Jesus when the crowds were absent. Satan uses Judas so that the religious leaders can get the inside scoop on Jesus’ movements. 

And notice the terrifying phrase: "they were glad." They rejoiced. We rejoice in God, but they are rejoicing in the destruction of the God-man, Jesus Christ. They are more than happy to give money to Judas, a man driven by greed who regularly stole from the disciples' common purse. 

Notice the extent of the darkness: the malice of Satan, the greed of Judas, and the self-preservation of the religious leaders. Yet, they are all unknowingly fulfilling God's plan to have Jesus betrayed as the ultimate Passover Lamb on the cross. What appeared to be Satan and the religious leaders’ victory over Jesus was actually God's sovereign plan of redemption.

In verses 7 to 13, we see God's sovereign preparation for the true Passover. 

Luke 22:7–13 ESV

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 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 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?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

It was a requirement to celebrate the Passover within the city walls of Jerusalem. And so, Jesus and the disciples needed to secure a location. These events show us that Jesus is in absolute control of everything that will follow. He has prepared the circumstances and knows exactly what will happen. 

He tells the disciples they will encounter a man carrying a jar of water. In that culture, a man carrying a water jar would have stood out immediately among the large Passover crowds. Jesus directs the disciples to follow him, speak to the master of the house, and ask for a guest room that is already furnished and waiting.

Notice the summary sentence: “And they went and found it just as he had told them.” Jesus is not a victim of a world spinning out of control. Just as God sovereignly directed Joseph's life through every struggle for the preservation of His people, Jesus sovereignly directs every single detail leading to the Upper Room, which will eventually lead to His crucifixion.

The second thing we see in verses 14-23 is that Christ Fulfills the Passover and Establishes the New Covenant.

Next, in verses 14 to 20, Christ fulfills the Passover and inaugurates the new covenant.

Luke 22:14–20 ESV

And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 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.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

Here we see Jesus showing Himself to be the true Passover. He is the ultimate Lamb of God whose body and blood inaugurate the new covenant and the kingdom of God. This kingdom will one day be fully consummated as a realm of absolute peace, righteousness, and wholeness…a place of cosmic peace…Shalom.

Jesus is celebrating the final Passover before its fulfillment in His death and resurrection. Taking the familiar elements of Israel’s Passover meal, He reorients them around Himself. During the Passover celebration, multiple cups of wine were traditionally shared. During this time Jesus declares, “I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

What is Jesus saying? He is declaring that He will accomplish salvation through His broken body and shed blood, yet the ultimate celebration of redemption awaits the consummation of His kingdom. He will gather His redeemed people to the great messianic banquet, the marriage supper of the Lamb, where the joy foreshadowed in Passover and the Lord’s Supper will finally be fulfilled.

In Luke’s account he then says that after supper, Jesus takes the cup and identifies it with the new covenant in His blood, presenting Himself as the true Passover Lamb whose sacrifice brings redemption. He will die, rise again, ascend to the Father’s right hand as the Son of Man, and return in glory.

This cup signifies and seals the new covenant in His blood. blood. It fulfills the old covenant shadows and establishes a new and unbreakable covenant secured by Christ Himself.

To learn more about the sacramental nature of the Lord's Supper, let me direct you back to our previous series, Our Faithful God, or our upcoming (re) member series in Discipleship Hour, where you will learn more about the theology of the sacraments. 

For today, notice this: through union with Christ, we are covered by His blood, adopted into God's covenant family and given a seat at the table. Jesus Christ was handed over unto death so that we might be eternally redeemed and welcomed. 

We continue in verses 21 to 23, where Jesus reveals the sovereign purpose behind His betrayal.

Luke 22:21–23 ESV

But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

At this table of intimate fellowship, Jesus reveals that His betrayal is not a surprise or a freak accident. It was schemed by the devil, executed by Judas, and desired by the religious leaders, yet it is not outside God's control. The universe is not spinning out of control while its Maker is handed over to sinful men. Rather, God has sovereignly determined all of these circumstances according to His redemptive plan. 

Notice that phrase: "as it has been determined." This is the language of a divine decree or appointment. Jesus is saying this plan is fixed and settled in the purposes of God. Nothing can stop it. 

Yet, notice a parallel truth: "but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!" Divine sovereignty does not erase human accountability. There is a horrific consequence and judgment waiting for the one who acts out of treasonous unbelief. This warning applies not only to Judas or the Pharisees, but to all who ultimately reject the lordship of Christ.

The third thing we see in verses 24-30 is that Jesus Reorders His Disciples’ Understanding of the Kingdom. 

In verses 24 to 30, Jesus radically reorders His disciples' understanding of power.

Luke 22:24–30 ESV

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

“You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Think about the timing of this argument. According to John’s Gospel, Jesus has just washed their feet. He has lowered Himself to perform the duties of a common slave, yet the disciples immediately start disputing about which one of them would be the greatest. They are viewing the kingdom through earthly lenses of prestige, position, and social honor.

Jesus confronts them by contrasting His kingdom with the Roman world. The kings of the Gentiles "lord it over" their subjects, demanding to be called public "benefactors", a title used to claim honor and power over others. But Jesus explicitly commands: "But not so with you." 

In God’s kingdom, status is inverted. True authority belongs to those who serve others above themselves. Jesus looks at them and says, "I am among you as the one who serves." He is the ultimate pattern of humility, laying down His life for His friends. And because He serves them unto death, He will be highly exalted, receiving the kingdom from His Father and granting these very disciples a place of authority at His table. Jesus takes on the form of a servant to secure an eternal kingdom for His people.

Finally, in verses 31-38 we see how Jesus Preserves and Prepares Weak Disciples for Kingdom Witness. 

Verses 31 to 34 show us how Jesus sovereignly preserves failing disciples.

Luke 22:31–34 ESV

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Jesus gives Peter an alarming look behind the spiritual veil. Satan has "demanded to have you"—and that "you" in the Greek is plural; the enemy wants to tear all of the disciples apart, sifting them like wheat. But look at the sovereign defense: "but I have prayed for you [singular, Peter] that your faith may not fail." 

Jesus does not stop the sifting from happening, but He guarantees the final outcome through His own prayers. He knows exactly how and when Peter will fail; He knows the precise timing of the rooster's crow and the exact number of denials. Peter claims he is ready for prison and death, relying on his own strength. But Jesus knows Peter will collapse under the weight of fear and public shame. 

Yet, see the grace in the subsequent command: "And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Jesus doesn't say if you turn, but when you turn. His grace is sovereign over Peter's denial. He will sustain him through the failure, forgive him, and restore him to a life of gospel leadership. Jesus completely restores those who abandon Him, using their brokenness to make them fit instruments to strengthen others. 

Finally, in verses 35 to 38, we see how Jesus fulfills the Scriptures and prepares His disciples for kingdom witness.

Luke 22:35–38 ESV

And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

Jesus reminds them of their earlier mission trips where they walked in miraculous provision, lacking absolutely nothing. But He warns them that the cultural landscape is going to change. He cites Isaiah 53:12: "And he was numbered with the transgressors." This ancient prophecy, some 600 years prior, declared that the Messiah would be executed alongside criminals as a suffering servant. Nothing is happening outside of God’s plan.

Because the Master is about to be treated as a state criminal, the disciples can expect to inherit that same hostility from the world. They are entering a new kingdom era that will require intense readiness, dependence, and endurance amid opposition. 

But notice how the disciples respond: "Look, Lord, here are two swords." As usual, they take Jesus entirely literally and physically. They think He is calling for an armed rebellion, which is why Peter will mistakenly draw a sword and slice off Malchus's ear later that night in Gethsemane. Jesus cuts the conversation short by saying, "It is enough." It is likely that he does not mean two swords are sufficient to fight the Roman Empire; rather, He means "Enough of this misunderstanding." He is speaking metaphorically about entering a dangerous spiritual climate of hostility and readiness. 

This ends the Upper Room discourse.

Jesus has completed this marvelous work and reigns, but we still live in a similar time to the disciples, especially in New England, one of hostility toward Christ. Thus, Jesus’ words of spiritual readiness should ring true to us.

So what does this readiness look like on Monday morning? How do we live out this text when we wake up to face the hostility of this world?

First, the Holy Spirit can give you a settled confidence in God's ultimate plan when your parents, your spouse, your child, or your sibling are far from God, and you can see absolutely no human way for them to come to faith. Even when they are actively hostile to you and the gospel, you can rest in His good, sovereign plan, knowing that He is at work even when He is hidden. 

Second, Christ's peace, which passes all human understanding, can guard your mind and heart when you look at the news and see wars, political conflicts, hostility toward Jesus, or when you face financial hardships or overwhelming difficulties at your workplace this week. You can live your life and even step into your office knowing that the universe is not unhinged; Jesus has ascended to the right hand of the Father and sits in absolute sovereignty over every event in history.

Finally, the Spirit can fill you with supernatural hope even in the worst of times, when everything feels like it is falling apart with your family, your relationships, or your physical health. In all of these trials, the Spirit reminds you of your true gospel identity: you are a joint-heir with Christ in an unshakable kingdom…you will reign with him.

Though you might not see the resolution you desire in this present world, what is best has been planned from eternity. It will be perfectly fulfilled on that day when you sit down with Jesus at the great marriage supper of the Lamb, where He will finally lift that cup and drink it together with us in glory. 

Throughout Joseph's life, there must have been many days in the darkness of the Egyptian dungeon when it felt like everything was out of control and God had abandoned him. You might feel that exact same way today. Yet the entire story of Joseph stands as a monument to the truth that God is always sovereignly at work, working through and using even evil, betrayal, suffering, and injustice to work his sovereign will for our good and his glory. 

Luke 22:1–38 proves that in the most chaotic, tragic, and terrible event in human history, the betrayal and execution of the Son of God, God was sovereignly fulfilling His plan of redemption. Because Christ faithfully endured that suffering to fulfill the Father's will, you can trust Him when your own life feels chaotic. You can know that through your suffering, weakness, and confusion, Christ is preserving you, drawing you deeper into communion with Himself, and leading you safely into His kingdom. 

If you are burdened today by pain, if you are fearful, troubled, or feel hopeless, let me remind you: Jesus does not promise an immediate escape from suffering. Rather, He offers you Himself.

If you trust in Him already, or if you don’t, but turn today to Christ for salvation, you can have confidence that He has already borne your sin,  guilt, and shame on the cross. Therefore, you can rest in the absolute confidence that He is in total control in the worst of times, and He will one day bring about the best of times forever. We will dwell with God in a world remade, where His perfect love and righteous rule are lived out by us  in the power of the Spirit forever to the glory of the Father.