Judas conspires to betray Jesus. The Last Supper. Jesus foretells Peter’s denial. Jesus is betrayed and arrested. Peter denies Jesus.

THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS CONSPIRE TO KILL JESUS

VERSE 1. Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching.

VERSE 2. The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.

JUDAS CONSPIRES TO BETRAY JESUS

VERSE 3. Satan entered into Judas, who was also called Iscariot, who was counted with the twelve.

Satan entered into Judas. Satan is able to “enter” a person. The person becomes “infested.”

This is the Christian concept of demonic possession.

VERSE 4. He went away, and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them.

talked with the chief priests. Judas initiates a conspiracy against his Lord.

VERSE 5. They were glad, and agreed to give him money.

give him money. Money is what matters to Judas.

VERSE 6. He consented, and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude.

in the absence of the multitude. That is, “secretly.” That way the crowd would not know about it. If they did, they would riot.

PREPARING FOR THE PASSOVER

VERSE 7. The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed.

VERSE 8. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”

VERSE 9. They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare?”

VERSE 10. He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters.

a man carrying a pitcher of water. How could Jesus have known this in advance? It testifies to the depth of his foreknowledge. The event happened just as he said, as we see in verse 13 below.

Mark 14:13. He sent two of his disciples, and said to them, “Go into the city, and there you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him,

VERSE 11. 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?” ’

VERSE 12. He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.”

VERSE 13. They went, found things as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

THE LAST SUPPER

VERSE 14. When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles.

VERSE 15. He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,

earnestly desired. Jesus has been looking forward to this moment.

before I suffer. Jesus says this clearly. Yet none of them understand what he means. So they ignore it.

VERSE 16. for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in God’s Kingdom.”

VERSE 17. He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this, and share it among yourselves,

VERSE 18. for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until God’s Kingdom comes.”

VERSE 19. 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.”

given for you. What was the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ? How did he himself define it? Here are the verses we find in the four gospels »

VERSE 20. Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

new covenant in my blood. The new covenant is a blood sacrifice.

after supper. When did Jesus drank from the cup? It was not immediately after the bread. Rather, it was after the meal was finished.

poured out for you. What was the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ? How did he himself define it? Here are the verses we find in the four gospels »

VERSE 21. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.

him who betrays me. Jesus speaks clearly that one of them will betray him.

VERSE 22. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!”

VERSE 23. They began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.

THEY FIGHT OVER WHO IS GREATEST

VERSE 24. A dispute also arose among them, which of them was considered to be greatest.

which of them was … greatest. This is the ultimate irony. They are in the presence of the Son of God. He just said one of them will betray him. In response, they break into an argument about which one of them is the greatest.

VERSE 25. He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’

VERSE 26. But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves.

VERSE 27. 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.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel of Luke and from the entire Bible.

I am among you as one who serves. Some Christian leaders act as though people should serve their needs. But Jesus Christ puts others first. He ministers to the needs of other people.

VERSE 28. But you are those who have continued with me in my trials.

VERSE 29. I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me,

VERSE 30. that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

JESUS FORETELLS PETER’S DENIAL

VERSE 31. The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have all of you, that he might sift you as wheat,

VERSE 32. but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”

I prayed for you. Jesus prayed that Peter would not fail.

when once you have turned again. That is, “after you have repented.”

VERSE 33. He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!”

I am ready. Peter’s statement seems wonderful. Yet it is based on Peter’s own greatness, and not on the greatness of Jesus Christ. Peter is bragging about the greatness of his own faith.

Some Christians leaders urge people to make a “Lordship” decision. It is to follow Jesus as Lord of their lives. Often, the believer is urged to tell Jesus they will go anywhere he leads and do anything he says. In essence, they are urged to repeat the foolish words of Peter.

It is wonderful to make a commitment. There is power in commitment. But to make a promise based on our own fidelity is to build a house on sand.

VERSE 34. He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times.”

SCRIPTURE MUST BE FULFILLED

VERSE 35. He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, wallet, and shoes, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”

When I sent you out. Previously, Jesus had sent them out as his emissaries to the world. They were welcomed and taken care of.

VERSE 36. Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.

buy a sword. Why will they need a sword?

Some people spiritualize this verse. They say Jesus is referring to the Scriptures:

Hebrews 4:12. For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

VERSE 37. For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ For that which concerns me has an end.”

What was the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ? How did he himself define it? Here are the verses we find in the four gospels »

fulfilled in me. The scriptural prophecies about the Messiah are fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 53:12. Therefore I will give him a portion with the great. He will divide the plunder with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death and was counted with the transgressors; yet he bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

VERSE 38. They said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.” He said to them, “That is enough.”

JESUS PRAYS AT THE MOUNT OF OLIVES

VERSE 39. He came out and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him.

as his custom was. Jesus had customs about where he went to pray. Do you have any customs about where you pray?

VERSE 40. When he was at the place, he said to them, “Pray that you don’t enter into temptation.”

VERSE 41. He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed,

VERSE 42. saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

if you are willing. Jesus submits his wishes to the will of God the Father. And so should we:

James 4:15. For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.”

VERSE 43. An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him.

VERSE 44. Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.

VERSE 45. When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief,

VERSE 46. and said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Why do you sleep? Rise and pray. To not pray is to be asleep.

JESUS IS BETRAYED AND ARRESTED

VERSE 47. While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him.

VERSE 48. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

VERSE 49. When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”

strike with the sword. They were all too eager to lash out at their enemies.

In our day, we are too. We Christians are often all too eager to lash out against those we deem our enemies.

VERSE 50. A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

VERSE 51. But Jesus answered, “Let me at least do this”—and he touched his ear, and healed him.

VERSE 52. Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?

VERSE 53. When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn’t stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

this is your hour. This is the moment when darkness is allowed to prevail.

PETER DENIES JESUS

VERSE 54. They seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed from a distance.

followed from a distance. Following Jesus Christ from a distance is not a recipe for success.

VERSE 55. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard, and had sat down together, Peter sat among them.

VERSE 56. A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, “This man also was with him.”

VERSE 57. He denied Jesus, saying, “Woman, I don’t know him.”

He denied Jesus. This is denial #1.

VERSE 58. After a little while someone else saw him, and said, “You also are one of them!” But Peter answered, “Man, I am not!”

Man, I am not. This is denial #2.

VERSE 59. After about one hour passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean!”

VERSE 60. But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.

I don’t know what you are talking about. This is denial #3.

VERSE 61. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how he said to him, “Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.”

VERSE 62. He went out, and wept bitterly.

JESUS IS MOCKED

VERSE 63. The men who held Jesus mocked him and beat him.

VERSE 64. Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?”

VERSE 65. They spoke many other things against him, insulting him.

JESUS IS PUT ON TRIAL

VERSE 66. As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people were gathered together, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away into their council, saying,

VERSE 67. “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you won’t believe,

VERSE 68. and if I ask, you will in no way answer me or let me go.

VERSE 69. From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

seated at the right hand. The Bible often mentions “the right hand” of God. That is a position of power and honor. We believe it refers to Jesus Christ.

VERSE 70. They all said, “Are you then the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say it, because I am.”

You say it. This was a Hebrew phrase (antt’ amarta) which meant “Your words verify themselves.”

because I am. As far as we can tell, this phrase is not in the Greek.

In different translations, we find two different very ways of rendering those two phrases:

YES, I AM

NASB translation. And they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?” And He said to them, “Yes, I am.”

WEB translation. They all said, “Are you then the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say it, because I am.”

YLT translation. And they all said, ‘Thou, then, art the Son of God?’ and he said unto them, ‘Ye say it, because I am;’

YOU SAY THAT I AM

ESV translation. So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.”

HCSB translation. They all asked, “Are You, then, the Son of God?” And He said to them, “You say that I am.”

KJV translation. Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.

NIV translation. They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.”

NLT translation. They all shouted, “So, are you claiming to be the Son of God?” And he replied, “You say that I am.”

QUESTIONS

What did the term “Son of God” mean to them?

The incendiary reaction of the religious leaders demonstrates that calling yourself the “Son of God” was worthy of being put to death.

The Greek is Ὑμεῖς λέγετε ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι . That is, “You say that I am.”

Did the “Yes I am” translators had a sort of unstated agenda to “prove” something? Or is “Yes I am” actually the best way to translate it?

R. M. Edgar said they understood “Son of God” to mean a “Military Messiah.” That is, the one who would overthrow the evil Roman Empire.

LUKE

CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Commands, Spirituality

Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.