Luke 22: Betrayal, Last Supper, and Prayer

Gospels

Jul 28

Short answer: Luke 22 narrates the Passover meal where Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper, foretells his betrayal by Judas and denial by Peter, and prays in agony on the Mount of Olives. It culminates in his arrest, Peter's threefold denial, and Jesus's trial before the council.

What Luke 22 says

Luke 22 opens with the Feast of Unleavened Bread approaching, and the chief priests and scribes seek a way to kill Jesus because they fear the people. Satan enters Judas Iscariot, who agrees with the religious leaders to betray Jesus for money, looking for a chance away from the crowd. Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare the Passover, giving them a sign: a man carrying a pitcher of water will lead them to a furnished upper room. They obey and find everything as he said. When the hour comes, Jesus sits with the twelve apostles and expresses his deep desire to eat this Passover with them before he suffers, declaring he will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in God's Kingdom. He takes a cup, gives thanks, and tells them to share it, saying he will not drink from the fruit of the vine until God's Kingdom comes.

During the meal, Jesus takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and gives it to them, saying it is his body given for them, to be done in memory of him. After supper, he takes the cup, saying it is the new covenant in his blood poured out for them. He then reveals that the hand of his betrayer is with him at the table, and though the Son of Man goes as determined, woe to that man. The disciples begin to question who would do this. A dispute arises among them about which is considered greatest. Jesus teaches that kings of the nations lord it over others and are called benefactors, but his followers must be different: the greater should become like the younger, and the leader like one who serves. He points out that he is among them as one who serves, and he confers on them a kingdom, that they may eat and drink at his table and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus turns to Simon Peter, warning that Satan has asked to sift all of them like wheat, but he has prayed for Peter that his faith may not fail, and when he turns again, he must strengthen his brothers. Peter insists he is ready to go to prison and death with Jesus, but Jesus predicts that before the rooster crows, Peter will deny knowing him three times. Jesus then reminds them of when he sent them without purse, wallet, or sandals, and they lacked nothing. Now he tells them to take a purse and a wallet, and if they have no sword, to sell their cloak and buy one, for what is written about him must be fulfilled: he was counted with transgressors. They say there are two swords, and he says that is enough. They go to the Mount of Olives, and Jesus tells them to pray not to enter temptation. He withdraws a stone's throw, kneels, and prays that if the Father is willing, the cup be removed, yet not his will but the Father's be done. An angel strengthens him, and in agony his sweat becomes like great drops of blood. He finds the disciples sleeping from grief and urges them to rise and pray.

While he speaks, a crowd arrives led by Judas, who approaches to kiss Jesus. Jesus asks if he betrays the Son of Man with a kiss. Those around ask if they should strike with the sword, and one cuts off the right ear of the high priest's servant. Jesus touches the ear and heals him. He asks the chief priests, captains, and elders if they have come out as against a robber with swords and clubs, noting he was daily in the temple and they did not seize him, but this is their hour and the power of darkness. They seize him and lead him to the high priest's house, with Peter following at a distance. In the courtyard, a servant girl recognizes Peter, and he denies knowing Jesus. Two more times he is confronted and denies it, and immediately a rooster crows. The Lord turns and looks at Peter, who remembers the word and weeps bitterly. The men holding Jesus mock and beat him, blindfold him, and demand he prophesy who struck him. At daybreak, the council of elders, chief priests, and scribes gather, asking if he is the Christ. He says if he tells them they will not believe, and from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God. They ask if he is the Son of God, and he replies that they say so. They conclude they need no more witness, for they have heard from his own mouth.

Verses that carry the chapter

“He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” (Luke 22:19)” (Luke 22:19) — This verse records Jesus instituting the Lord's Supper, giving the bread as his body given for his disciples and commanding them to do this in memory of him. It anchors the practice of communion in Jesus's own words and action.
“For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:27) — Jesus defines greatness as service, pointing to himself as the one who serves among them. This turns the disciples' dispute about rank upside down and sets the pattern for leadership in his kingdom.
“but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”” (Luke 22:32) — Jesus tells Peter he has prayed for him so that his faith will not fail, and that when he turns back he must strengthen his brothers. It shows Jesus's care and the purpose of restoration.
“saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)” (Luke 22:42) — In deep anguish, Jesus prays for the cup to be removed if the Father is willing, yet submits to the Father's will. This reveals his human struggle and perfect obedience.

Gospel connection

Luke 22 stands at the hinge of the gospel story. The Passover meal points back to Israel's deliverance from Egypt and forward to the new covenant in Jesus's blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus's body given and blood poured out fulfill the sacrificial system and the promises of a new covenant. His prayer in agony shows him as the obedient Son who takes the cup of suffering, not as a victim of circumstance but as the one determined to save. The betrayal, denial, and mockery fulfill Scripture, yet Jesus remains in control, healing an enemy and submitting to arrest. This chapter connects to the wider story of redemption: the Son of Man goes as determined, and through his death and resurrection he establishes a kingdom where servants are great and where failures like Peter are restored to strengthen others.

Application

This chapter asks the reader to examine their own loyalty and pride. The disciples argued about greatness while Jesus was about to suffer; we too can be distracted by status and comfort. Jesus calls us to serve, not to lord over others. It also invites us to watch and pray, recognizing our weakness and the reality of temptation. Peter's denial and restoration show that failure is not final when we turn back to Christ. The Lord's Supper is a regular reminder of his body given and blood poured out, calling us to remember him with gratitude and to live in the new covenant. Finally, Jesus's submission in prayer challenges us to bring our deepest fears to the Father and to say, not my will but yours be done.

Biblical fidelity check

Luke 22 does not tell us the name of the servant whose ear was cut off, nor does it name the disciple who struck the blow; it only says a certain one of them did it. The text does not explain why Jesus said two swords were enough, nor does it describe the upper room's location beyond the sign of the man carrying a pitcher. It does not record the content of the mockery beyond the demand to prophesy, nor does it give the outcome of the trial before the council. The chapter does not state that Judas was forgiven or that Peter's denial was the end of his faith; it simply reports the events and leaves many details unstated. It also does not describe the nature of the angel's strengthening or the exact physical cause of the sweat like blood.

Questions for study

In verses 14 to 20, Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper. What does he say the bread and cup represent, and how does that shape the way we remember him today?
In verses 24 to 27, the disciples argue about greatness. How does Jesus redefine greatness, and where do you see that kind of service needed in your own community?
In verses 31 to 34, Jesus predicts Peter's denial. Why do you think Jesus told Peter this in advance, and how does that speak to our own failures?
In verses 39 to 46, Jesus prays in agony. What does his prayer reveal about his relationship with the Father, and how can we follow his example when we face difficult situations?
In verses 54 to 62, Peter denies Jesus three times. What leads to his denial, and what does his reaction after the rooster crows tell us about repentance and restoration?

Keep reading

Subscribe for new Bible studies or support this work.

FAQ

What is the significance of the Passover meal in Luke 22?

The Passover commemorated Israel's deliverance from Egypt, and Jesus used it to institute the Lord's Supper, showing that his body and blood would establish a new covenant. He expressed his deep desire to eat it with his disciples before his suffering.

Why did Jesus tell his disciples to buy a sword?

Jesus told them to buy a sword to show that they would face danger and opposition after his departure, and to fulfill the Scripture that he was counted with transgressors. When they produced two swords, he said that was enough, indicating the point was not armed resistance.

What does Peter's denial and restoration teach us?

Peter's denial shows human weakness and the reality of temptation, but Jesus had prayed for him so that his faith would not fail. After he turned back, he was to strengthen his brothers, showing that failure can be redeemed and used to help others.

LukeBible StudyScriptureGospels

Sermon Academy