LUKE 22: 1-13 [JESUS’ LAST WEEK SERIES]
THE CONSPIRACY AGAINST JESUS
[John 6:67-71]
Luke’s passion narrative begins ominously with a description of Judas’s plot which was designed and orchestrated by Satan himself (1 Cor 2:8). The Jewish leaders had decided to do away with Jesus (see 23:2 for their pretexts). Their main problem was to do so without creating an uprising by His supporters. Jesus had many supporters among the common people and it was feared that many of them would be ready to fight on His behalf.
The Conspiracy of the Jewish Authorities to put Jesus to death comes together when they make a compact with Judas. What Judas did was to provide an opportunity for Jesus to be arrested quietly. Since there could be around 100,000 people in and around Jerusalem at the Passover season, the chances of tracking down an individual who wished to remain hidden were slight without inside information. Though knowing all that is occurring, Jesus uses His last Thursday to assure that He would celebrate the Passover and institute the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist with His disciples (CIT).
I. THE PLOT TO KILL JESUS, 1–2.
II. THE BETRAYAL OF JUDAS ISCARIOT, 3-6.
III. THE PASSOVER WITH THE DISCIPLES, 7-12.
The last week of Jesus’ earthly life draws to a close with the celebration of the Passover which Luke informs us in verse 1 of chapter 22 is now at hand. “Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover.’
The Feasts of Unleavened Bread (Ex 12:1-20; Deut 16:1-8) and the Passover were originally separate festivals. The Jewish dates for Passover were Nisan 14–15 (early spring). The Feast of Unleavened Bread followed it immediately and also came to be included under the Passover. The “Feast of Unleavened Bread” lasted seven days (Ex 12:15–20).
Here, the term “Passover” stands for the entire observance. [The Passover was celebrated on the 14th and 15th of the month Nisan (roughly March–April). During the afternoon of the 14th, the Passover lambs were slaughtered at the temple. Since the new Jewish day began at sunset, the evening of that same day (by our reckoning) was the beginning of the 15th, and the actual meal was held then. The days of Unleavened Bread lasted from the 15th to the 21st of the month. In 22:7 the 14th is described as the day of Unleavened Bread possibly because the feasts were closely linked, or possibly for non-jewish readers who used a calendar with the day starting at midnight. [Marshall, I. H. (1994). Luke. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 1014). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.]
Passover was the annual celebration of the time of the Exodus when lambs had been slain in Egypt and God spared the Israelites but punished the Egyptians (Ex. 12:1–28). During this time pilgrims from all over the region flocked to Jerusalem for a celebration like the combined celebration of Independence Day and Thanksgiving in the United States. [All Jewish men were required to be in Jerusalem for the Passover (Deut 16:16).]
Verse 2 reminds us of the conspiracy to kill the one who is the fulfillment of all the exodus foreshadowed or represented. ‘And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.’
Earlier the Pharisees were prominent in opposing Jesus (5:17). Now the “chief priests and teachers of the law” were taking the initiative against Him. In that society the priests were not only religious leaders, but they also wielded great political power. The scribes (teachers of the law) were involved doubtless because their legal expertise would be useful in building a case against Jesus. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all take pains to show that “the people” (ton laon) were a deterrent to the schemes of the leaders.
The religious leaders were afraid of the people (Luke 19:47–48; 20:19), especially those who thought Him the Messiah, but were still trying to get rid of Jesus. They were waiting for an opportunity to do so without causing a riot or insurrection that a public arrest might cause.
II. THE BETRAYAL OF JUDAS ISCARIOT, 3-6.
How did he who knew Christ so well, come to betray Him? We are told in verse 3 that Satan entered into Judas. ‘Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.’
The initiative for the betrayal rested on Judas. For he allowed Satan to enter him (John 13:27) and sought to betray Jesus to His enemies. Satan’s taking part in Jesus’ death was actually Satan’s own defeat, for through dying Jesus conquered Satan, sin, and death (Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14).
How did Judas become an instrument of Satan to accomplish the arrest and death of Jesus? The awful stages that brought Judas to Satan were: (1) Covetousness. The Lord let it reveal itself and gather strength by entrusting him with the money bag (Jn 12:6), as treasurer for Jesus and the Twelve. (2) In the performing that sacred trust he became “a thief,” appropriating its contents from time to time to his own use. Satan, seeing this door into his heart standing wide open, determined to enter by it, but cautiously (2 Co 2:11). First merely “putting it into his heart to betray Him” (Jn 13:2), suggesting the thought to him that by this means he might enrich himself. (3) This thought was probably converted into a settled purpose by what took place in Simon’s house at Bethany. (See Mt 26:6, and Jn 12:4–8.) (4) the determination to carry out his betrayal was mercifully held back for some time until it went into immediate effect sitting at the Lord’s paschal supper, “Satan entered into him” (see Jn 13:27), and conscience, effectually stifled, only rose again to be his tormentor. Such is the work of the deceiver. What lessons in his fall are there for every one (Eph 4:27; Jam 4:7; 1 Pet 5:8, 9)! [Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 122). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.]
Verse 4 records Judas going to find and confer with the leadership. ‘He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.’
In betraying Jesus, Judas “went away and conferred” because he sought to avoid the crowds. Judas knew exactly what he was doing, and he is judged, as we are judged, by his actions.
[“Officers of the temple guard” were probably the same soldiers who captured Jesus (John 18:3). Municipalities had their own officers and so did the Jerusalem religious establishment.]
Verse 5 indicates that Judas betrayed Jesus for money. ‘And they were glad and agreed to give him money.
Judas’ offer of betrayal simplifies matter greatly for Jesus’ enemies. Matthew tells us the chief priests gave Judas thirty pieces of silver, the Old Testament price of a slave. [Thirty shekels was the fine payable for a man- or maidservant accidentally killed (Ex 21:32), and equal to $25 in our money. It was that “goodly price that I was priced by them” (Zech 11:12-13). ] The amount was fitting for Jesus came as the Servant of all.
Where did the thirty pieces of silver come from? During Passover, the priests carried small bags of money tied to their belts in order to purchase lambs to be used as sacrifices. Therefore, it is highly likely that the chief priests used money committed to their care for the purchase of sacrificial lambs to “purchase” Jesus, the ultimate sacrificial Lamb. [Courson, J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (p. 405). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.]
Having made his choice, Judas waited for an opportune time to betray Jesus. Verse 6; ‘So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.’
Judas is guilty. He is a traitor. We can’t even claim it was Satan’s fault. Satan is working on all of us all the time, especially if you’re an important part of God’s kingdom as Judas had potential to be.
III. THE PASSOVER WITH THE DISCIPLES, 7-12.
With the ominous conspiracy between Judas and the religious leaders confirmed, Jesus begins making preparations for His last Supper starting in verse 7. ‘Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.’
Luke clearly states that it was the day of sacrifice—normally Nisan 14, a Thursday. The actual Passover meal was celebrated after sundown, when, according to Jewish reckoning, the next day, Nisan 15, had begun.
Luke shows Jesus initiating plans for the Passover arrangements in verse 8. ‘So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.”
Luke identifies the two disciples sent to make preparations as Peter and John. These men were ever together serving Christ. First, they were fishermen, then among the inner circle of three disciples (Peter, James, and John). After this joint mission of seeking a room to observe the Passover, they were together mourning and at the garden tomb (Jn 20:1–10), in a boat on the Sea of Galilee (Jn 21:7, 20–24), and in preaching after Pentecost (Acts 3:1). [Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 2063). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.] Close friendships as well as Christian fellowship are great aids to us in our pilgrimage and service.
Passover was to be celebrated by families. Therefore, in celebrating Passover with His disciples, Jesus looked at His disciples as His family. I like that because at this point, these men weren’t very spiritual. Judas would betray Him. Peter would deny Him. Thomas would doubt Him. Yet Jesus treated them as family. And if He did that with them, He’ll do it with us as well.
[Courson, p. 405.]
The disciples’ question Jesus as to where they should go to prepare the Passover meal in verse 9. ‘They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?”
Jesus was not trapped by Judas for He was in control of this event. Nobody knew where the Passover feast would be except Peter and John. They were given very mysterious directions for finding the room. Jesus kept the location a secret, probably because of Judas. He was determined that His arrest would take place at the time He had chosen, and not before.
To prepare for the Passover meal the disciples needed to secure a suitably furnished room within the city itself, and also the food. Preparation involved purchase of a slain lamb, herbs, wine, and unleavened bread, the essential requirements.
Jesus’ instructions in verses 10 & 11 conveys our Lord’s mysteries working and foreknowledge. ‘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?’
Not mysterious prearrangements but Jesus’ prophetic knowledge is involved here. Peter and John were to enter the city and look for “a man carrying a water jar.” Only women carried water jars in those times; men carried waterskins. This unusual sight of a man doing women’s work would be a sign. They were to follow that man and say certain words to him—words which are, in effect, passwords. The Father has carefully arranged this intrigue. He knows Jesus’ betrayal time is at hand, so He makes careful plans so that this important Passover feast will not be interrupted. Jesus’ instructions guaranteed privacy, indeed, secrecy, perhaps to avoid His premature arrest. They show His supernatural knowledge.
In verse 12 we find that this mysterious, gracious, obedient man is to lead them to a large and prepared room in which to celebrated Passover. ‘And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.”
The “large upper room” was on the second story under a flat roof, accessible by an outside stairway. It was “furnished” with the couches for reclining at a Passover meal and with necessary utensils. [Liefeld, W. L. (1984). Luke. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, pp. 1025–1026). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.]
In verse 13 the disciples again see that Jesus is aware of the events that are unfolding and that He is trustworthy. ‘And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
Things were “just as Jesus told them” showing that He is far more than a “teacher” (v. 11), but a conveyer of truth; truth even for the future. That’s not true only for the disciples in their day, but for us as well. Whatever Jesus says, you’ll find it to be true. There are no exceptions. When Jesus says something, you can be sure it’s true. [Courson, p. 405.]
IN CLOSING
Jesus bids this Passover with His friends welcome. He desired it, though He knew His sufferings would follow. With love and acceptance, He moves toward His dark night of the soul because it was to bring His Father glory and man redemption. With His last Supper He takes His leave of all passovers by becoming the fulfillment of all the lambs sacrificed and all the blood spilled on the altars. By His perfect life and sacrificial death He become the fulfillment of the law signifying His putting away all the ordinances of the ceremonial law. That type was laid aside, because now in the kingdom of God the substance was come. [Henry, M., & Scott, T. (1997). Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Lk 22:7). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems.]
