Luke 22 recounts the events leading up to Jesus’ arrest, including the Last Supper, his prayers in Gethsemane, and his betrayal by Judas. This chapter marks the beginning of the final hours before his crucifixion, filled with tension, betrayal, and prophecy fulfillment.
The chapter begins with the Feast of Unleavened Bread, also called the Passover, drawing near. The chief priests and scribes are seeking a way to kill Jesus but fear the people. At this moment, Satan enters Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples. Judas goes to the chief priests and agrees to betray Jesus in exchange for money. They are delighted and agree to give him a sum, and Judas begins looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus when there is no crowd.
Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal. He instructs them to follow a man carrying a jar of water, who will lead them to a house where they can ask for a furnished upper room. Everything happens as Jesus says, and they prepare the meal.
When the time comes, Jesus and his disciples sit at the table for the Passover meal. He tells them he has earnestly desired to eat this meal with them before he suffers. He takes a cup, gives thanks, and tells them to share it among themselves, saying that he will not drink from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. Then he takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and gives it to them, saying it is his body given for them. He takes another cup, saying it is the new covenant in his blood, poured out for them.
Jesus then reveals that one of them will betray him. The disciples are shocked and begin discussing who it might be. A dispute also arises among them about who is the greatest. Jesus reminds them that in the world, rulers lord over others, but among them, the greatest must be like the servant. He tells them that they have stayed with him in his trials, and he grants them a kingdom where they will eat and drink at his table and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Jesus turns to Peter and warns him that Satan has asked to sift him like wheat, but Jesus has prayed that his faith will not fail. Peter, full of confidence, insists that he is ready to go to prison or even die for Jesus. But Jesus tells him that before the rooster crows, Peter will deny him three times.
Jesus then tells them to be prepared. Before, he sent them without money or supplies, and they lacked nothing, but now he tells them to take their money, a bag, and even a sword if they have one. The disciples show him two swords, and Jesus replies, "That is enough."
Jesus then goes to the Mount of Olives, followed by his disciples. He tells them to pray so they will not enter into temptation. He walks a short distance away, kneels, and prays, asking the Father to remove the cup of suffering from him if possible, but ultimately submits to the Father’s will. An angel appears to strengthen him, but he is in such agony that he prays more earnestly, and his sweat becomes like drops of blood.
When he returns to the disciples, he finds them asleep and wakes them, telling them again to pray so they will not fall into temptation. While he is still speaking, a crowd arrives, led by Judas. Judas approaches Jesus to kiss him, a sign to the authorities of whom to arrest. Jesus asks Judas if he is betraying the Son of Man with a kiss. The disciples react, asking if they should strike with the sword. One of them cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant, but Jesus immediately heals the man and tells them to stop. He then rebukes the crowd for coming after him as if he were a criminal, reminding them that he taught daily in the temple, yet they did not seize him then. However, he acknowledges that this is their hour, under the power of darkness.
Jesus is arrested and taken to the high priest’s house. Peter follows at a distance and sits in the courtyard. A servant girl sees him and accuses him of being with Jesus, but Peter denies it. Later, another person recognizes him, and Peter denies it again. Finally, about an hour later, someone insists that Peter was with Jesus, but Peter strongly denies it, saying he does not know him. At that moment, a rooster crows, and Jesus turns to look at Peter. Remembering Jesus' words, Peter goes outside and weeps bitterly.
The guards mock and beat Jesus, blindfolding him and demanding that he prophesy who struck him. In the morning, Jesus is brought before the chief priests and scribes. They ask if he is the Christ, but he tells them that if he answers, they will not believe. When they ask if he is the Son of God, he replies, "You say that I am." They take this as blasphemy and declare that they need no further testimony.
Luke 22 is a turning point in Jesus’ journey, filled with sorrow, betrayal, and prophecy fulfillment. The Last Supper establishes the new covenant, showing that Jesus’ death will bring redemption. Peter’s denial highlights human weakness, even among the most devoted followers. The agony in Gethsemane reveals Jesus’ deep sorrow yet unwavering submission to the Father’s will. The betrayal and arrest mark the beginning of the suffering he endures for the salvation of humanity.
This chapter reminds us of the importance of humility, prayer, and faithfulness in the face of trials. Jesus’ willingness to suffer shows his deep love for us, and Peter’s failure is a reminder that even in our weaknesses, God’s grace remains available. Through the events in Luke 22, we see both the pain of betrayal and the hope of redemption that will soon be revealed through Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice.