Lucas 22
William Hendriksen · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 22
Hendriksen - A reasonable assumption is that Jesus was crucified in the year a.d. 30, when the fourteenth day of Nisan fell on Thursday, and the fifteenth on Friday. In Israel the first appearance of the new moon marked the beginning of the new month. It was marked by the blowing of trumpets, sacrifices, celebrations, suspension of ordinary business, and wherever necessary by signal fires (Num. 10:10; 28:11-14; Ps. 81:3-5; Amos 8:5, 6). The important days of the month—for example, the tenth of the month Nisan, when the Passover lamb was selected, the killing of the lamb on the fourteenth, etc.—were figured from the first day, or day of the new moon, as a base. See the detailed regulations in Exod. 12:1-14; Num. 9:2-14; Deut. 16:1; cf. Esther 3:7. (Borrow Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) NET Note on Feast of Unleavened Bread - The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a week long celebration that followed the day of Passover, so one name was used for both feasts (Exod 12:1–20; 23:15; 34:18; Deut 16:1–8). A T
Lucas 22
Hendriksen - Not only "to eat this Passover," but to do so "with you." Does not this remind us of John 13:1, "having loved his own, he loved them to the uttermost"? Jesus knew what his death, within a matter of hours, would do for them (taken as a group), and of course for millions of others also. He loved them with a love inexpressible in words. (Borrow Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) Life Application Commentary - Jesus "eagerly desired" to share the Passover meal with His closest friends, the disciples; at the same time Jesus looked forward to its ultimate fulfillment at His return. Believers today live an in-between life as followers of Christ. They already experience the peace, forgiveness, and satisfaction, that come from knowing Jesus. Yet they also long for the consummation of their faith, that day when believers will be perfected and completed in His presence (ED: Cf Ro 8:23-25+). Do you sometimes feel that tension? If so, don't worry. It is the normal experience of God's people awaiting the return of Christ. David
Lucas 22
Hendriksen - We should be sure, however, to interpret these words correctly, that is, optimistically. Jesus is not really saying, "This is the end. After tonight we'll never see each other again." What he is saying is rather this, "Though our continued fellowship here is about to end, it will be renewed gloriously in the kingdom to come, a kingdom of light and love, of triumph and praise, and this throughout all eternity." What a fulfilment, what a reunion that will be, when the meaning of this Passover will be experienced in all its fullness. (Borrow Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) IN REMEMBRANCE - In a memorial service, words are spoken or actions taken to pay tribute to the deceased. People may say, "I'm doing this because I know that's the way John would have wanted it." Think how inappropriate it would be for someone to clearly go against the deceased's wishes or principles. When Christians celebrate Communion, they do more than hold a memorial service. The Savior who died is alive and well, and he is present and involved in Communion. How much more, then, should believers want to conduct themselves—actions, attitudes, thoughts, and words—in a manner consistent with the love and compassion of Jesus. The next time you participate in the Lord's Supper, give serious consideration to how you will live "in remembrance of him." - Life Application Bible Commentary – Luke. Luke 22:19 And when He had taken some bread and 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." KJV Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. And when He had taken some bread Mt 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; 1 Cor 10:16; 11:23-29 given thanks Luke 22:17; 24:30; John 6:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:18 This is My body Luke 22:20; Genesis 41:26,27; Ezekiel 37:11; Daniel 2:38; 4:22-24; Zechariah 5:7,8; 1 Cor 10:4; Galatians 4:25 which is given for you John 6:51; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 5:2; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24 do this in remembrance of Me Ps 78:4-6; 111:4; Song of Solomon 1:4; 1 Cor 11:24 Edersheim on Passover in Matthew 26:26-28. Alfred Edersheim - The Paschal Supper Luke 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries END OF THE OLD BEGINNING OF THE NEW And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying - Here we see that the Passover passes over into the Lord's Supper. Note that there is no symbolism intended by Jesus breaking the unleavened bread. In other words, the Scripture is clear that not a bone of Jesus body was broken (see Jn 19:36+, Ps 34:20+, Ex 12:46+). The breaking of bread was simply a way it could then be easily distributed to all who were present at the meal. Paul repeats this in his description of the ordinance of the Last Supper or Holy Communion in 1 Cor 11:23-24+ For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do (present imperative) this in remembrance of Me.” Comment: Be aware that the KJV (which uses the Textus Receptus) has a phrase not present in most modern manuscripts(the Nestle–Aland) = "this is My body which is broken for you." This is why some communion services use the phrase "broken for you," rather than the more accurate "for you" which NLT paraphrases as "given for you." But in the KJV, the phrase is found only in 1 Corinthians 11:24+ and is not found in Mt 26:26+ nor Mk 14:22+, both having only the phrase "Take eat, this is My body." Given thanks (2168) (eucharisteo) is a word that at its very core (eu = good + charis = grace) means to acknowledge how good grace is! Broke (2806)(klao) break, break off, break in pieces; in the NT used only of the breaking of bread, referring to eating a meal = Paul on the ship to Rome (Acts 27:35). Similarly in Acts 2:46 klao is used as a metonymy meaning to share a meal, since by Jewish custom the head of household at ordinary family meals would give thanks, broke the bread, and distributed it to those at the table with him. Some interpret Acts 2:46 as a celebration the Lord's Supper with their meals. The first use of klao by Jesus was in feeding the multitudes (Mt 14:19, 15:36, Mk 8:6, 19). Matthew and Mark use klao in context of Jesus' institution of the Lord's Supper (Mt 26:26, Mk 14:22) and Paul's celebration of the Lord's Supper (1 Cor 11:24). Luke uses klao of the Lord's Supper writing "On the first day of the week (Sunday), when we were gathered together to break bread.... (Acts 20:7,11+). There is one use in the Septuagint in Jer 16:7 of breaking bread, because the custom in Old Testament times was to break bread with the hands rather than cut it with a knife. Klao - 14x in 14v - break(2), breaking(3), broke(8), broken(1). Matt. 14:19; Matt. 15:36; Matt. 26:26; Mk. 8:6; Mk. 8:19; Mk. 14:22; Lk. 22:19; Lk. 24:30; Acts 2:46; Acts 20:7; Acts 20:11; Acts 27:35; 1 Co. 10:16; 1 Co. 11:24 This is My body - This refers to the piece of broken (unleavened) bread. Jesus was holding and breaking a piece of (matzo/matzah/matza) bread. Is Jesus a piece of bread? Of course not! This is a powerful metaphor, a figure of speech but Jesus never meant it to be interpreted literally. To do so is to discard all rules of Biblical hermeneutics. Jesus is no more a piece of bread than He is a literal door (Jn 10:9) or a literal vine (Jn 15:5). If you have been taught to interpret the bread literally as Jesus' body, you do well to study the concept of a metaphor and ask the Spirit of truth to guide you into all truth (Jn 16:13), truth that He teaches, not "truth" that I or any other human teaches! It is fascinating (? coincidence) that by rabbinic decree, matzah bread must be striped, pierced, and burned in such a way as to appear bruised (cf Isa 53:5KJV+). Woe! Is this likeness just a random coincidence? Dear believer in Messiah, what do you think? Related Resources: What is transubstantiation? What is consubstantiation? Why is the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper such a controversial issue? Should a non-Catholic Christian participate in a Catholic Mass? How often should the Lord's Supper / Communion be observed? What is the spiritual presence view of the Lord’s Supper? What is the importance of the Lord's supper / Christian Communion? Kevin Williams - At a Passover Seder, which later became known by His followers as “the table of Communion,” Jesus held up the elements of wine and matzah and applied them to Himself. During the meal He broke unleavened bread with His disciples, and then held that broken matzah in His hands, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me” (Lk. 22:19). Then after the meal He held up a cup of wine and with the same force of personal application to Himself, said, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:20). They were claims that were outrageous and blasphemous if they were not true. But they were true, and they help to explain why the feast of Passover would go through such a profound transition in the years ahead. For those Jewish people who have not yet believed in Jesus, the broken matzah, or unleavened bread, continues to be a part of the Passover meal; yet it is shrouded in mystery. This mystery, a puzzle on which the Jewish sages cannot reach consensus, need not be a mystery to those who believe in Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus claimed that He had come to fulfill the meaning of the Passover sacrifice....When Jesus said of the unleavened bread, “Take, eat; this is My body,” He was not instituting an empty ritual. He was identifying Himself personally with both the matzah and the Passover lamb, bringing to mind the words of the prophet Isaiah: Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth (Isaiah 53:4-7+). Which is given for (huper) you - This looks forward to Calvary. The bread represents Jesus' body which would be His vicarious gift. It is His body which is given for us. The Greek word for "for" in this verse is huper, which commonly means "in behalf of", "in the place of" or "for the sake of." For example, Paul uses this same preposition huper in Galatians 1:4+ writing about Jesus Christ "Who gave Himself for (huper) our sins so that (purpose clause) He might rescue (deliver) us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." Can you see what Jesus is saying with the phrase "for you?" He is alluding to substitutionary atonement, in essence saying that His sinless body is sacrificed in place of (huper) our sinful body on the Cross. Jesus died once for all time in our place, on our behalf, for our sake, so that we might live forever in Him and for Him! In his famous declaration, Paul says “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR (huper) ME." (Gal 2:20+; cf Jn 10:15 = "My life for [huper] the sheep"). And so this verse uses huper to depict substitutionary atonement… Christ “for the sake of" ______ (fill in your name). Christ "in behalf of"_________ (fill in your name). Christ "instead of”_________ (fill in your name). Paul writes (HE IS EXPLAINING THE GOSPEL) For I delivered (paradidomi - same word used for Judas delivering Jesus to the Jewish leaders!) to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for (huper) our sins according to the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:3+) He (GOD THE FATHER) made Him (JESUS) Who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf (huper), so that (PURPOSE CLAUSE) we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor 5:21+) Peter describes Christ's substitutionary atonement writing that He Himself bore our sins in His body on the Cross (AS OUR SUBSTITUTE), so that (PURPOSE CLAUSE) we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for (TERM OF EXPLANATION) by His wounds you were healed (SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING).(1 Peter 2:24+) Hendriksen on in remembrance of Me - Believers should remember his sacrifice and love him, should reflect on that sacrifice and embrace him by faith, and should look forward in living hope to his glorious return. Surely, the proper celebration of communion is a loving remembrance. It is, however, more than that. Jesus Christ is most certainly, and through his Spirit most actively, present at this genuine feast! (Borrow Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) Do this in remembrance of Me - Jesus gave a command to His disciples to "do this" continually for the verb poieo is in the present imperative which calls for us to celebrate communion frequently not infrequently! Are you as convicted as I am? Of course one potential danger of frequent celebration of communion is that it begins to gravitate into a thoughtless ritual. Have you ever been guilty of reciting the "Lord's (really Disciple's) Prayer" in a rote manner, not even pausing long enough to think about what you are saying (I have certainly been guilty of doing this)? Obviously, we can fall into the same trap with the Lord's Supper. So, yes, celebrate it frequently but make sure you celebrate it fervently! Jesus' point in commanding us to remember is "Lest we forget." That seems unthinkable, but frankly, most of us have "leaky" memories! We are a forgetful people (I am guilty of this) and Jesus knows that is the tendency of our nature and will be until that great day when we are glorified, so He commemorates the Lord's Supper as a "means" to stimulate our memory regarding all He has accomplished for us in dying in our place on the Cross and all that He will accomplish when He returns (cf "until He comes" - 1 Cor 11:26). In Psalm 103:2 David exhorts us to "preach a sermon to our souls" - "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits." While regular celebration of the Lord's Supper obviously is important so that we "forget none of His benefits," we as priests of God (1 Pe 2:9+) can every morning "offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name" (Hebrews 13:15+) for His benefits that are ours in Christ. So tomorrow morning consider beginning your day by remembering the countless benefits that are yours because of Christ's death on the Cross and His promise to return! You may be surprised at how uplifting such a simple exercise is to your soul and what a difference it makes on the rest of your day!
Lucas 22
Hendriksen - Jesus again showed these men that their egotism was a worldly, pagan trait. It reminded one of the self-centeredness of "the kings of the Gentiles." These men, while exercising their authority ruthlessly, nevertheless took delight in being called Benefactors!How very true! On a denarius was not Augustus called "god"? On a copper coin was not Tiberius described as "one who deserved to be adored"? But, more to the point, had not the very title Benefactor (or Welldoer), Euergetes, been ascribed to both Ptolemy I and Ptolemy II? (Borrow Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) David
Lucas 22
Hendriksen - "Peter replied,... 'I am ready.'" Well, he was not. God's command is "Be ready" (Matt. 24:44). The believer's prayer should be "Make me ready." Ps. 119:36. (Borrow Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) Rod Mattoon - Overconfidence says..... * I don't need to pray about it. (If Joshua had prayed, he would have realized there was a problem in the camp.) * I don't need to read the Bible each day or study God's Word. * I don't need God's help. * I don't need godly counsel. * I'll do it my way. I don't need anyone's help or advice. * I don't need my husband, my wife, or my parents. * I don't need to give 100% or do my best. I'll just get by! Luke 22:34 And He said, "I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me." KJV Luke 22:34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. the rooster will not crow today Mt 26:34,74; Mark 14:30,71,72; John 13:38; 18:27 Luke 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JESUS' PROPHECY OF PETER'S DENIAL And He said, "I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me - Jesus predicts Peter's denial. Peter's failure would happen in the next few hours, before the night was over, because roosters typically crow at dawn's first light. Pate writes "Fitzmyer catches the sense of the prophecy – Peter’s ‘triple denial will come so quickly that a cock will not even be able to crow twice.' Play compilation of rooster's crowing (far more than 3 times). What is amazing is Peter knew this prophecy about his denial and yet was unable to keep it from being fulfilled! You would have thought after the first denial, Peter would have recalled the prophecy and been alert for two more denials. Clearly Peter's fear of men kicked into gear and stimulated a fleshly response. In one sense, we should not be surprised at Peter's denial. We have all had situations where we knew the truth and yet failed to act on the truth, instead acting in a fleshly manner.
Lucas 22
Hendriksen - The Shepherd is in the process of laying down his life for his sheep (Jn 10:11). He must make, and wants to make, a voluntary sacrifice, the only kind of sacrifice that will suffice as an atonement for the sins of all those who repose their trust in him. (Borrow Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) He said to them - In speaking "to them," He is addressing Peter, James and John (the latter being the two sons of Zebedee) who accompanied Jesus into the actual olive grove. The other 8 disciples apparently remained at the entrance or gate leading into the garden. As
Lucas 22
Hendriksen - How wonderfully considerate is the Master. How big is his heart. So big that even during this night of bitter woe there is room in it for "others." His heart goes out to them, for he fully realizes that the wrath of the Sanhedrin will not be appeased when he himself, the Leader, is caught. That wrath will be vented next upon those who have been following him. As a result, these disciples will be tempted to disown their Leader. (Borrow Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) THOUGHT- The practical lesson of this passage is that if Jesus needed to pray when facing the most intense temptation in all eternity, His disciples need to pray in the face of daily temptation. Have you learned this lesson? When temptation knocks, do you rely on self-confidence and over estimation of your strength, and open the door yourself or do you send "prayer" (so to speak) to answer the persistent knocking? (In truth it is a good preventative to be praying BEFORE temptation knocks!)
Lucas 22
Hendriksen - Though it will never be possible for our minds to penetrate into the mystery of the horror Jesus experienced in Gethsemane, we cannot be far amiss if we state that it probably included at least this, that he was given a preview of the agonies of the fast approaching crucifixion. He had a foretaste of what it meant to be "forsaken" by his heavenly Father. And is it not reasonable to assume that during these dreadful periods of anguish Satan and his demons assaulted him, with the intention of causing him to turn aside from the path of obedience to God? Cf. Ps. 22:12, 13. (Borrow Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) R Kent Hughes on the agony of the cup - We must also realize that his request for another way came from the two things he saw in the cup. First, it was a cup full of sin. He saw all the brutality of a thousand "Killing Fields"—all the whoring of earthly civilizations—blasphemy—profanity—a cup brimming with jealousy, hatred, and covetousness—which he must drink! And Jesus recoiled! Second, he saw that it was a cup full of wrath. As sin-bearer, he became the object of the Father's holy wrath against sin. "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor. 5:21). The drinking also made him a curse. Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'" Gazing into the cup, Jesus saw Hell opened for him, and he staggered (cf. Isaiah 51:17, 22). It is no wonder that we see the blood-like sweat and the tears, that we hear him crying out for deliverance. It is no wonder, as we read in Luke, that the Father sent an angel to strengthen him (Luke 22:43). (Preaching the Word – Mark, Volume II: Jesus, Servant and Savior) Jesus also knew that in drinking the cup He would be made sin for us and would separated from His Father causing Him to cry out on the cross "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me" (Mt 27:46). (Why did Jesus say, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?") Some have suggested that Jesus' prayer to remove this cup was a sign of weakness, but nothing could be further from the truth! It was not a sign of His weakness but a sign of His holiness reacting to the thought of becoming the Bearer of man's sin and God's righteous wrath and judgment against that sin. Dear follower of Christ, think of the most heinous sin you have ever committed and ponder the truth that it was laid in all its ugliness on the One Who was the spotless, blemish free Lamb of God. And then multiple that by the thousands of sins you have committed in your short life. You can begin to get just a slight inkling of why the Holy One would recoil from such revolting rebellion! And that is just your sin. Now add mine and millions of others and we begin to get the picture. Romans 5:8 says "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for (huper = in our place) us." As you ponder God's incomprehensible, infinite, eternal love, you might be stimulated to offer up a sacrifice of praise by singing the classic Charles Wesley hymn... And Can it Be That I Should Gain? And can it be that I should gain An int’rest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain— For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Refrain: Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? ’Tis myst’ry all: th’ Immortal dies: Who can explore His strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine. ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more. He left His Father’s throne above— So free, so infinite His grace— Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race: ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For, O my God, it found out me! Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray— I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach th’ eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own. David
Lucas 22
Hendriksen has a interesting note - By addressing the crowds in this manner Jesus was in reality doing them a favor. He was exposing their guilt. Is it not true that it takes confession of guilt to bring about salvation? Though it is a fact that the great majority of those who heard Jesus speak these words hardened themselves in sin, we have no right to conclude that the message, together with other messages that followed (for example, the seven words from the cross, Peter's
Lucas 22
Hendriksen - Torches and lanterns—to search for the Light of the world. And it was full moon! Swords and cudgels—to subdue the Prince of Peace. For the Man of Sorrows the very sight of this band of ruffians, who considered him their quarry, meant indescribable suffering. (Borrow Exposition of the Gospel of Luke)
Lucas 22
Hendriksen - We once more see Jesus as the Great Sympathizer and Healer, the Savior, and this not only for the soul (in the case of all who place their trust in him) but even for the body. See Matt. 4:23; Luke 4:40; 7:21; Acts 2:22; 10:38....From these passages it becomes clear that when Jesus extended his hand to touch and heal the ear of Malchus, this was the last service he rendered with his hand before he was bound. Therefore, the last action of that hand, while it was still free, was one of love, one of rendering service to men. How it reminds us of His other similar deeds! Again and again he had placed His hand on people to heal and to bless them. He had even taken the little ones into His arm to bless them. Here, again, what a lesson for us all! (Borrow Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) And lo, thy touch brought life and health, Gave speech and strength and sight; Lo, youth renewed and frenzy calmed, Owned thee, the Lord of light. And now, O Lord, be near to bless, Almighty as of yore, In crowded streets, by restless couch, As by Gennesareth's shore. --From "Thine Arm, O Lord" by E. H. Plumptre Lawrence Richards - At the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry He had said, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). Now, about to go to the cross, He took love a step further. Even as your enemies seek to destroy you, make them whole. Jesus' non-retaliatory response to those who sought to kill Him gives a challenging example for every disciple of every age when we are unfairly treated, etc! Clearly Jesus practiced what He preached in Luke 6:27-29+ (cp Lk 6:35-36)... “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either." Note that there are 4 commands, all in the present imperative, calling for this to be a disciple's lifestyle! Just try to accomplish this by relying on fleshly power! It is impossible. Recall that Jesus was fully Man and as such He was giving us an example of how disciples should and could live. What was His "secret?" Jesus was continually filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit (cf Acts 10:38, Lk 4:1-2, 14+), the same Holy Spirit to Whom you and I have daily access! (Eph 5:18+, Gal 5:16+) Are you availing yourself of the gift of the Spirit Who lives in you to enable you to do supernaturally that which you absolutely cannot do naturally? ILLUSTRATION - In The Grace of Giving, Stephen Olford tells of a Baptist pastor during the American Revolution, Peter Miller, who lived in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, and enjoyed the friendship of George Washington. In Ephrata also lived Michael Wittman, an evil-minded sort who did all he could to oppose and humiliate the pastor. One day Michael Wittman was arrested for treason and sentenced to die. Peter Miller traveled seventy miles on foot to Philadelphia to plead for the life of the traitor. "No, Peter," General Washington said. "I cannot grant you the life of your friend." "My friend!" exclaimed the old preacher. "He's the bitterest enemy I have." "What?" cried Washington. "You've walked seventy miles to save the life of an enemy? That puts the matter in different light. I'll grant your pardon," and he did. Peter Miller took Michael Wittman back home to Ephrata—no longer an enemy but a friend. (Treasures from Luke) ILLUSTRATION - RETURNING GOOD FOR EVIL - A Salvation Army officer tells of an old Maori woman who had won the name of "Warrior Brown" by her fighting qualities when drunk or enraged. She was converted, and gave her testimony at an open air meeting, whereupon some foolish person hit her with a nasty blow with a potato. A week before, the cowardly insulter would have needed to make himself scarce for his trouble; but what a change!"Warrior" picked up the potato without a word and put it in her pocket. No more was heard of the incident until the harvest festival came around, and then "Warrior" brought a little sack of potatoes and explained that she had cut up and planted the insulting potato, and was now presenting to the Lord its increase. (Mattoon's Treasures) Luke 22:52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? KJV Luke 22:52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? Then Jesus said to the chief priests Mt 26:55; Mark 14:48,49 and officers of the temple Luke 22:4; 2 Kings 11:15; John 17:12; Acts 5:26 Luke 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Excellent Diagram/Map of Jesus' Arrest, Trial and Crucifixion JESUS POINTS OUT THE HYPOCRISY OF THE LEADERS Parallel Passages: Matthew 26:55a At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber?.... Mark 14:48+ And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a robber? Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him - The officers (strategos from stratós = an army + ágō = to lead) literally referred to the leader of an army and in this context referred to the commanders of the Jewish soldiers who stood guard over the Temple to maintain order. Mark 14:43 omits officers and adds scribes, the teachers of the law (who should have known what they were doing was illegal! They were teachers of the law but not doers of the law and thus deluded themselves as described in James 1:22+). Note that all groups that composed the Sanhedrin were represented. Hendriksen - Jesus then pointed out to the crowd—to all those who had come to arrest him and all those who gloated over his capture—how cowardly and perfidiously they were behaving. (Borrow Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? (cf Mt 26:55, Mk 14:48) - NLT paraphrases it "Am I some dangerous revolutionary." NIV has "Am I leading a rebellion." HCSB has "as if I were a criminal?" This is a stinging question to the cowardly, hypocritical Jewish religious leaders (and Judas)! Instead of arresting Him in the Temple court in daylight, they showed their cowardice by coming to arrest Him like one would a common criminal at night in a secluded place. And they came "armed to the teeth" clearly expecting a fight (they knew He had 11 men with him), one that Jesus would not give them. An insurrectionist is one who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority. So in a sense the Messiah was an "insurrectionist," but not as the world defines it, for He was "armed" with the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, and had come to overthrow once and for all time the power of Satan and of Sin! Hallelujah! What a Victorious Savior! Jesus' mention of "as you would against a robber" reminds one that the prophecy about Himself in Isaiah 53:12+ was beginning to be fulfilled, for indeed He was now being "numbered with transgressors," (Lk 22:37) or being treated like a common criminal, even though its primary fulfillment occurs in Lk 23:32–34, 39–43. Robber (3027)(lestes from lizoma = to plunder, seize) means one who steals openly and by violence and who would violently resist arrest and try to escape. Coming with swords and clubs, they were approaching Jesus as one would a highway robber (Lk 10:30, 36), a revolutionary or insurrectionist who favors the use of force. The irony is that while Jesus was not a robber or revolutionary, Barabbas was a robber, (lestes Jn 18:40) and insurrectionist (Lk 23:19, Mk 15:7) who was released in place of Jesus who was then crucified between two robbers (lestes Mk 15:27)! Luke 22:53 "While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours." KJV Luke 22:53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. When I was daily with you in the temple Luke 21:37,38; Mt 21:12-15,23,45,46; John 7:25,26,30,45 but this hour Judges 16:21-30; Job 20:5; John 12:27; 16:20-22 the power of darkness are yours John 14:30; Acts 26:18; 2 Cor 4:3-6; Eph 6:12; Col 1:13; Rev 12:9-12 Luke 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Excellent Diagram/Map of Jesus' Arrest, Trial and Crucifixion THE HOUR AND POWER OF DARKNESS Parallel Passages: Bold font indicates details NOT mentioned by Luke. Matthew 26:55b ...Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. 56 “But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled (fulfilling His earlier prediction that they would be "scattered" - Mt 26:31, Mk 14:27). Comment: None of the disciples stood beside Jesus Who had predicted their desertion earlier declaring in Matthew 26:31 "You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, 'I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.'" Jesus quoted Zechariah 13:7+ which had prophesied they would desert Him, Zechariah writing " “Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; And I will turn My hand against the little ones." (See Note) Matthew
Lucas 22
Hendriksen - "So you are the Son of God?" Jesus replied, "you are right. I am." This, too, as well as the one before Pilate, can justly be termed "a good confession." (1 Ti 6:13) Its significance stands out all the more sharply because of Christ's many silences (Mt. 26:63; 27:12, 14; Mark 15:5; Luke 23:9; John 19:9). Jesus knew when to speak, and when not, a lesson for us to take to heart. (Borrow Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) Warren