Luke 22 – The Last Supper, Betrayal, and Peter’s Denial
“But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table.” (Luke 22:21, NKJV)
“Then He said to them, ‘When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?’ So they said, ‘Nothing.’” (v. 35)
“Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are saying!’ Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.” (v. 60)
🔍 CAPTURE THE SCENE (What do I see?)
- Jesus prepares for His final Passover meal with His disciples, knowing that His betrayal is near
- He shares the Last Supper with His disciples, instituting the Lord’s Supper, symbolizing His body and blood given for them
- Jesus reveals that one of His disciples will betray Him, and He speaks of great sorrow and sacrifice
- He teaches the disciples about servanthood, urging them to serve one another rather than seeking greatness
- Jesus foretells Peter’s denial, and Peter is grieved by the prediction, insisting that he will not deny Jesus
- Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, and Peter denies Him three times before the rooster crows
📖 ANALYZE THE MESSAGE (What does it mean?)
1. The Plot to Kill Jesus (vv. 1–6)
“Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover.”
The Passover feast is near, marking the time when Jesus will fulfill His mission through His death and resurrection
“And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.”
The religious leaders plot to kill Jesus, but they are afraid to do so publicly because of His popularity among the people
“Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.”
Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, succumbs to Satan’s influence and agrees to betray Jesus
“So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.”
Judas conspires with the religious leaders, agreeing to betray Jesus for money
“And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.”
The religious leaders are pleased with Judas’ betrayal, offering him a bribe to hand Jesus over to them
“So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.”
Judas seeks the right moment to betray Jesus away from the crowds, ensuring that the betrayal is carried out secretly
2. The Last Supper (vv. 7–23)
“Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed.”
Jesus prepares for the Passover, the annual celebration commemorating God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt
“And He sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.’”
Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare the meal, and they ask Him where He wants them to go
“‘Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters.’”
Jesus provides a specific sign for them to follow, leading them to the location where the Last Supper will take place
“Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’”
Peter and John are to speak to the master of the house, confirming the location for the meal
“Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.”
Jesus provides everything they need for the Passover meal, emphasizing His sovereign control over the situation
“So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.”
Peter and John find everything as Jesus said, and they prepare the meal
“When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.”
Jesus sits down with His disciples for the Last Supper, the final meal He will share with them before His crucifixion
“Then He said to them, ‘With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.’”
Jesus expresses His deep desire to share this final meal with His disciples, knowing His suffering is imminent
“For I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus points to the fulfillment of the Passover in God’s kingdom, looking forward to the eternal feast with His followers in heaven
“Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves.’”
Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, taking the cup and sharing it with His disciples
“‘For I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’”
Jesus speaks of the future celebration in His kingdom, when He will drink the wine again with His disciples
“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’”
Jesus breaks the bread, symbolizing His body, which will be broken for them on the cross
“Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’”
The cup represents the new covenant established through Jesus’ sacrifice
“But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table.”
Jesus reveals that Judas is the one who will betray Him, causing the disciples to wonder who it could be
“And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”
Jesus acknowledges that His betrayal is part of God’s plan but pronounces woe on the one who betrays Him
3. The Disciples’ Argument About Greatness (vv. 24–30)
“Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.”
The disciples argue about who is the greatest among them, revealing their selfish ambition
“And He said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors.’”
Jesus contrasts the world’s way of leadership, where people seek power, with His model of servanthood
“‘But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.’”
Jesus teaches that in His kingdom, the greatest are those who serve others, following His example
“‘For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.’”
Jesus, the greatest One, humbles Himself to serve others, setting the ultimate example for His followers
4. Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial (vv. 31–34)
“And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.’”
Jesus warns Peter that Satan wants to test him, but He promises to pray for Peter’s strength
“‘But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.’”
Jesus assures Peter that although he will fall, he will eventually repent and help strengthen others
“But he said to Him, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.’”
Peter insists that he is ready to die with Jesus, but Jesus knows the truth of what will happen
“‘I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.’”
Jesus predicts Peter’s denial, which will happen before the rooster crows, despite Peter’s assurances
5. Preparation for His Arrest (vv. 35–46)
“And He said to them, ‘When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?’”
Jesus reminds the disciples of their earlier mission when they went out without earthly provisions, trusting God to provide
“‘Nothing,’ they said.”
The disciples confirm that they lacked nothing when they relied on God
“‘But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.’”
Jesus prepares them for the difficulties ahead, teaching that they will need to be prepared for the challenges of discipleship
“‘For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.’”
Jesus references Isaiah 53, where the suffering servant is numbered among the wicked, and He knows His mission is nearing completion
“So they said, ‘Lord, look, here are two swords.’ And He said to them, ‘It is enough.’”
The disciples misunderstand Jesus’ command about the sword, but He reassures them that faith and obedience are enough
“Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.”
Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives, a place where He often prayed, preparing for His agony
“When He came to the place, He said to them, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.’”
Jesus encourages His disciples to pray for strength to face the temptations ahead
“And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed…”
Jesus prays alone, asking the Father if it is possible to avoid the suffering He is about to endure
“‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’”
Jesus submits to the Father’s will, showing obedience even in the face of great suffering
“Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.”
God sends an angel to strengthen Jesus, affirming His submission to the Father’s will
“And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Jesus experiences intense agony and emotional distress, knowing the weight of His impending sacrifice
“When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.”
Jesus finds His disciples sleeping instead of praying, and He rebukes them for their lack of vigilance
“Then He said to them, ‘Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.’”
Jesus urges them to wake up and pray for strength to face the trials ahead
🔁 COMPARE THIS CHAPTER WITH THE REST OF SCRIPTURE
- The Last Supper:
- Matthew 26:26–29 – The institution of the Lord’s Supper, representing Jesus’ body and blood
- 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 – Paul’s teaching on the Lord’s Supper and its significance
- Jesus’ Prediction of Peter’s Denial:
- Matthew 26:31–35 – Jesus predicts Peter’s denial, and Peter’s insistence that he will remain faithful
- Mark 14:27–31 – The parallel prediction of Peter’s denial and Jesus’ suffering
- The Garden of Gethsemane:
- Matthew 26:36–46 – Jesus’ agony in the garden and His prayer to the Father
- Mark 14:32–42 – Jesus prays in agony and encourages His disciples to pray
🙌 EXECUTE (So what? How does this affect my life?)
Principle: True discipleship requires faithfulness, humility, and obedience, even in the face of suffering.
- Follow Jesus’ Example in Prayer
Like Jesus, we should submit to God’s will through prayer and obedience, even in difficult circumstances - Live with Humility and Serve Others
Seek to serve others and put their needs above your own, just as Jesus taught His disciples at the Last Supper - Prepare for Temptation
Be alert and pray for strength to resist temptation, recognizing that trials are inevitable but God will give us the strength to endure - Don’t Rely on Your Own Strength
Like Peter, we can sometimes be overconfident in our ability to remain faithful, but we must rely on God’s strength and grace to sustain us
🗣️ GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- How can we follow Jesus’ example in prayer and obedience during times of difficulty and suffering?
- In what ways can we demonstrate humility and service to others, especially in a world that values self-promotion?
- How can we stay spiritually vigilant and pray to avoid falling into temptation, as Jesus taught His disciples?
- What does it mean to you that Jesus submitted to the Father’s will even in the face of great suffering?
- How can we grow in dependence on God instead of relying on our own strength, just as Jesus and Peter did?