Luke 22:1-2. Approach of the Passover. The Purpose of the Priests. In this narrative of the Last Supper, Passion, Trial, and Crucifixion the chief points peculiar to St Luke are in Luke 22:8; Luke 22:15; Luke 22:24; Luke 22:28-30; Luke 22:43-44; Luke 22:61; Luke 23:2;... [ Continue Reading ]
_drew nigh_ Rather, WAS DRAWING NEAR. _which is called the Passover_ This little explanation shews most clearly that St Luke is writing mainly for Gentiles. _Strictly_speaking the Passover was _not_co-extensive with the Feast of Unleavened Bread, as is clearly stated in Numbers 28:16-17, "In the _f... [ Continue Reading ]
_the chief priests and scribes_ Their humiliation and defeat before the people the immense and divine superiority of the wisdom of Jesus so publicly displayed had at last aroused them into irreconcilable hostility. It is very noticeable that the Pharisees, as a distinct party, now vanish entirely in... [ Continue Reading ]
3-6. The Traitor and the Priests. 3. _Then entered Satan into Judas_ No other expression seems adequately to explain his wickedness. It began in avarice, disappointment, and jealousy; and, when he had long weakened his soul by indulgence in these dark, besetting sins, the imaginary loss of the "300... [ Continue Reading ]
_he went his way_ We infer -from the combined accounts that he met the priests on two occasions, on one of which the bargain was proposed, and on the other concluded. _communed_ Spoke with. _captains_ Literally, _"generals"_The _Levitic_captains of the Temple who kept order during the Feasts. There... [ Continue Reading ]
_they were glad_ This spontaneous offer and that too from one of Christ's immediate followers seemed to solve all their difficulties. _covenanted_ Or, -agreed;" in St Mark, - _promised"_In Matthew 26:15 it is said that they -paid" or -weighed" him the money, with a reference to Zechariah 11:12-13 ... [ Continue Reading ]
_sought opportunity_ Doubtless he was baffled at first by the entire and unexpected seclusion which Jesus observed on the Wednesday and Thursday. _in the absence of the multitude_ Rather, WITHOUT A MOB; ἄτερ is poetic, and only occurs here and in Luke 22:35.... [ Continue Reading ]
- 13. Preparation for the Passover. 7. _Then came the day of unleavened bread_ All leaven was most carefully and scrupulously put away on the afternoon of Thursday, Nisan 13. _when the passover must be killed_ Rather, be sacrificed. On the difficult question whether the Last Supper was the actual... [ Continue Reading ]
_he sent Peter and John_ Apparently our Lord, now withdrawn from His active work, said nothing about the Passover till the disciples questioned Him as to His wishes. The old law that the Paschal Lamb must be chosen ten days beforehand had long fallen into desuetude. Its observance would have been im... [ Continue Reading ]
_a man...bearing a pitcher of water_ A very unusual sight in the East, where the water is drawn by women. He must probably have been the slave of one who was an open or secret disciple; unless we have here a reference to the Jewish custom of the master of a house himself drawing the water with which... [ Continue Reading ]
_goodman_ See on Luke 12:39. _guestchamber Kataluma_, rendered _"inn"_in Luke 2:7. _the passover_ Although reasons will be given in Excursus V. for the view that this was not the _actual_Passover, it is clear that our Lord designedly spoke of it as _His_Passover, and gave it a paschal character. I... [ Continue Reading ]
_upper room_ The usual place of resort for large gatherings in a Jewish house; probably the very room which also witnessed the appearance of the Risen Christ to the Twelve, and the Descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost. _furnished_ with divans, cushions, &c. Ezekiel 23:41 (LXX.); Acts 9:34 (Greek)... [ Continue Reading ]
14-38. The last Supper. 14. _when the hour was come_ If the meal was intended to be directly Paschal, this would be "between the two evenings" (Exodus 12:6); a phrase interpreted by the Jews to mean between three and six, and by the Samaritans to mean between twilight and sunset. Probably Jesus and... [ Continue Reading ]
_With desire I have desired_ i.e. I earnestly desired. A Hebraism. Matthew 13:14, &c. _to eat this passover_ The expression may perhaps point to the fact that _this_was not the actual Jewish Paschal meal, but one which was intended to supersede it by a Passover of far more divine significance.... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will not any more eat thereof_ The true reading probably is, I WILL NOT EAT IT. The -not any more" however is a correct gloss. _until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God_ i.e. until the true Passover has been offered by my death, and so the new kingdom established.... [ Continue Reading ]
_he took the cup_, _and gave thanks_ Literally, "_and after receiving the cup_, _and giving thanks_." From _eucharistein_comes our word _Eucharist._ The main customs of the Jewish Passover are as follows: (1) Each drinks a cup of wine -the cup of consecration" over which the master of the house pro... [ Continue Reading ]
_of the fruit of the vine_ This is perhaps a reference to the Jewish benediction pronounced over the first cup, -Blessed be Thou, O Lord our God, who hast created the fruit of the vine.... [ Continue Reading ]
_he took bread_ The account in St Luke closely agrees with that given by St Paul (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), which he -received from the Lord." _This is my body_ Comp. "I am the door," John 10:7. "That rock _was_Christ," 1 Corinthians 10:4. "The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the bod... [ Continue Reading ]
_the new testament_ Hence the name of the New Testament. The word _Diatheke_(Heb. _Berith)_means both a will, and an agreement or covenant, see Jeremiah 31:31. "It contains all the _absolute_elements of the one, with the _conditional_elements of the other. Hence the New Testament (_kaine Diatheke)_i... [ Continue Reading ]
_the hand of him that betrayeth me_ For fuller details of this last awful warning to Judas, and of the intimation of the person intended to His nearest disciples, see Matthew 26:21-25; Mark 14:18-21; John 13:21-26 _._Whether Judas actually partook of the Holy Communion has always been uncertain. Ben... [ Continue Reading ]
_as it was determined_ "being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God," Acts 2:23; Acts 4:27-28. "The Lamb _slain from the foundation of the world,"_Revelation 13:8. The type of Judas was Ahithophel, Ps. 12:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
_to inquire among themselves_ The pathetic details are given by St John. It is characteristic of their noble, simple, loving natures that they seem to have had no suspicions of Judas.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there was also a strife Philoneikia,_-an ambitious contention," occurs here only. It is probable that this dispute arose while they were taking their places at the couches (_triclinia_), and may possibly have been occasioned by some claim made by Judas for official precedence. He seems to have... [ Continue Reading ]
_exercise lordship_ Peter learnt this lesson well. 1 Peter 5:3. _are called benefactors Euergetai_a name often inscribed on coins. How worthless and hollow the title was the disciples knew from the instances of Ptolemy Euergetes and other Syrian tyrants. Onias had been more deserving of the name, M... [ Continue Reading ]
_let him be_ Rather, let him become, let him shew himself to be in _reality._ the younger who in Eastern families often fulfils menial duties. Acts 5:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am among you as he that serveth_ The true Euergetes is the humble brother, not the subtle tyrant. See Matthew 20:28. "Took upon him the form of a servant," Philippians 2:7. St Luke here omits the beautiful acted parable of the Lord washing the disciples" feet (John 13:1-20), as also the words to... [ Continue Reading ]
_in my temptations_ See on Luke 4:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
_I appoint unto you a kingdom_ See Luke 12:32. "If we suffer we shall also reign with Him," 2 Timothy 2:12_. Diatithemai_is -I appoint by way of bequest," Psalms 81:4 (LXX.).... [ Continue Reading ]
_sit on thrones_ Our Lord here perhaps designedly omitted the word "twelve," Matthew 19:28 (Revelation 3:21). _judging_ "The saints shall judge the world," 1 Corinthians 6:2. But the clause is omitted in some MSS.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Simon_, _Simon_ The repetition of the name gave combined solemnity and tenderness to the appeal (Luke 10:41). _Satan hath desired to have you_ Rather, Satan demanded you (plur.), or -gained you by asking." "Not content with Judas," Luke 22:3. Bengel. _that he may sift you_ The word _siniasai_, fro... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have prayed for thee_ Rather, I made supplication concerning thee, shewing that Peter, the most confident, was at that moment the most imperilled, though Jesus had prayed for them all (John 17:9; John 17:11). _that thy faith fail not_ The word means -fail not _utterly_, or _finally._ when thou... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am ready to go with thee_, _both into prison_, _and to death_ Rather, EVEN INTO PRISON, EVEN INTO DEATH, and the order and emphasis should be, -Lord, _with Thee_I am ready," &c. This -flaring enthusiasm" is always to be suspected of weakness. Proverbs 28:26 _;_1 Corinthians 10:12 _._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Peter_ The only occasion on which Jesus is recorded to have used to him the name He gave. It is used to remind him of his _strength_ as well as his weakness. _the cock shall not crow this day_ It was, perhaps, already past midnight. St Mark says more exactly (Luke 14:30) -shall not crow _twice."_... [ Continue Reading ]
_without purse_, &c. See Luke 9:3; Luke 10:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
_But now_ This was an intimation of their totally changed relation to the world. There was no spontaneous hospitality, no peaceful acceptance, no honoured security, to be looked for now. _he that hath no sword_, _let him sell his garment, and buy one_ Rather, LIE THAT HATH NOT (either purse or scri... [ Continue Reading ]
_._ _he was reckoned among the transgressors_ A quotation from Isaiah 53:12 _._Hence clearly the sword could not be for _His_defence, as they carelessly assumed. _for_ Rather, for indeed. _have an end_ The end _(telos)_was drawing near; it would come on the following day (_Tetelestai_, John 19:30)... [ Continue Reading ]
_here are two swords_ It was a last instance of the stolid literalism by which they had so often vexed our Lord (Matthew 16:6-12). As though He could have been thinking of two miserable swords, such as poor Galilaean pilgrims took to defend themselves from wild beasts or robbers; and as though two w... [ Continue Reading ]
39-48. The Agony in the Garden. 39. _And he came out_ St Luke here omits all the touching incidents which St John alone records the discourses so "rarely mixed of sadness and joys, and studded with mysteries as with emeralds Peter's question, "Lord, whither goest thou?"; the melancholy remark of Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_he said unto them_ First He left eight of them to sleep under the trees while He withdrew with Peter and James and John, whom He told to watch and pray.... [ Continue Reading ]
_he was withdrawn_ Literally, "_He was taken away_," or -He tore Himself away" (comp. Luke 21:1), shewing the reluctance with which He parted from this support of loving sympathy under the imperious necessity of passing through His darkest hour alone. Perhaps He withdrew deeper into the shadow of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_if thou be willing_ The principle of His whole life of suffering obedience, John 5:30; John 6:38. _this cup_ Matthew 20:22; comp. Ezekiel 22:31; Psalms 75:8. This prayer is an instance of the "strong crying and tears," amid which He "learned obedience by the things which He suffered," Hebrews 5:7-... [ Continue Reading ]
_there appeared an angel_ As after His temptation, Matthew 4:11. This and the next verse are not of absolutely certain authenticity, since they are omitted in A, B, and by the first corrector of א; and Jerome and Hilary say that they were omitted in "very many" Greek and Latin MSS. Their omission ma... [ Continue Reading ]
_being in an agony_ The word which occurs here only in the N.T. though we often have the verb _agonizomai_means intense struggle and pressure of spirit, which the other Evangelists also describe in the strong words _ademonein_(Matthew 26:37) and _ekthambeisthai_(Mark 14:33). It was an awful anguish... [ Continue Reading ]
_sleeping for sorrow_ Psalms 69:20. The last two words give rather the cause than the excuse. They are analogous to "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" of Matthew 26:41. St Luke here abbreviates the fuller records given in Matthew 26; Mark 14, from which we find that Jesus _thrice_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Why sleep ye?_ "Simon, sleepest thou? Were ye so unable to watch with me a single hour?" Matthew 26:40; Mark 14:37. The _second_time He does not seem to have spoken to them. The third time He knew that it was too late. The object of their watching had now ceased, for He heard the tramp of men in th... [ Continue Reading ]
47-53. The Traitor's Kiss. The Arrest. Malchus. 47. _behold a multitude_ Composed of Levitical guards under their -general;" a Roman Chiliarch (-tribune"), with some soldiers, part of a maniple or cohort (σπεῖρα) from the Fort of Antonia (John 18:12); and some priests and elders. _one of the twelv... [ Continue Reading ]
_with a kiss_ He exclaimed -Rabbi, Rabbi, hail"(-Peace to thee, Rabbi"), Mark 14:45; but received no -Peace to thee" in reply. Overacting his part, he not only kissed His Lord (_ephilesen_), but kissed Him fervently (_katephilesen_, _deosculatus est)._... [ Continue Reading ]
_they_ Specially Peter, but the Synoptists suppress his name from obviously prudential reasons which no longer existed when St John wrote. _Lord_, _shall we smite with the sword?_ Since it was illegal to carry swords on a feast-day, we have here another sign that the Last Supper had not been the Pa... [ Continue Reading ]
_the servant of the high priest_ Malchus. _right ear_ A specific touch not found in the other Evangelists. All three use the diminutive if the readings can be relied on. (ὠτίον _, Matthew 26:51;_ ὠτάριον _, Mark 14:47;_ ὠτίον _, John 18:10. In this passage we have both_ οὖς _and_ ὠτίον _.)_No stres... [ Continue Reading ]
_._ _Suffer ye thus far_ Probably addressed to the captors, and meaning _Excuse thus much resistance;_or -Allow me liberty thus far" free my arms a moment that I may heal this wounded man. These snatches of dialogue often of uncertain interpretation from their fragmentary character (e.g. Mark 9:23;... [ Continue Reading ]
_unto the chief priests...which were come to him_ The expression shews that these venerable persons had kept safely in the background till all possible danger was over. It is evident that the whole band dreaded some exertion of miraculous power. _as against a thief_ Rather, A BRIGAND or ROBBER. Am... [ Continue Reading ]
_this is your hour_, _and the power of darkness_ A reproach to them for their base, illegal, midnight secrecy. St Luke omits the incident of the young man with the _sindon_cast round his naked body, Mark 14:51-52. _the power of darkness_ Rather, the authority _(exousia)._The power is not independen... [ Continue Reading ]
- 62. Peter's Denial. 54. _Then took they him_ Rather, seizing Him. _and led him_ with His hands bound, probably behind His back, John 18:12. _into the high priest's house_ The actual High Priest was Joseph Caiaphas (another form of Kephas), son-in-law of Annas (see on Luke 3:2). The trial of our... [ Continue Reading ]
_they had kindled a fire_ The spring nights at Jerusalem, which is 2610 feet above the level of the sea, are often cold. _in the midst of the hall_ Rather, OF THE COURT. _sat down among them_ i.e. among the servants of the High Priest sat in the middle (_mesos)_of a group composed of the very men... [ Continue Reading ]
_by the fire_ Rather, TO THE LIGHT, i.e. with the light of the brazier shining full on him. _earnestly looked upon him_ See Luke 4:20. __... [ Continue Reading ]
_._ _Woman_, _I know him not_ "nor do I understand what you mean," Mark 14:68. The -Woman!" should come last. Peter who has been described as - _homalos anomalon_" or -consistently inconsistent" shewed just the same kind of weakness many years later. Galatians 2:12-13.... [ Continue Reading ]
_after a little while_ The trial before the Sacerdotal Committee naturally took some time, and they were awaiting the result. _another saw him_ After his first denial "before them all" (Matthew 26:70) he probably hoped to shake off this dangerous curiosity; and, perhaps as his guilt was brought more... [ Continue Reading ]
_about the space of one hour after_ To St Peter it must have been one of the most terrible hours of his life. _another_ Here again the main charge was prominently made by _one_ a kinsman of Malchus, who had seen Peter in the garden, and was known to St John from his acquaintance with the High Pries... [ Continue Reading ]
_Man, I know not what thou sayest_ St Luke drops a veil over the -cursing and swearing" which accompanied this last denial (Matthew 26:74). _the cock crew_ Rather, a cock. It crew for the second time. Minute critics have imagined that they found a -difficulty" here because the Talmud says that cock... [ Continue Reading ]
_the Lord turned_, _and looked upon Peter_ St Luke alone preserves this most touching incident. Jesus must have looked on His erring Apostle either from the chamber in which He was being tried, if it was one of those chambers with open front (called in the East _muck'ad);_or else at the moment when... [ Continue Reading ]
_went out_ into the night, but "to meet the morning dawn." _and wept_ Not only _edakruse_, -shed tears," but _eklause_, -wept aloud;" and, as St Mark says (Mark 14:72), _eklaie_, -he _continued_weeping." It was more than a mere burst of tears. _bitterly_ St Mark says _epibalon_, which _may_mean, -... [ Continue Reading ]
_smote him_ No less than five forms of beating are referred to by the Evangelists in describing this pathetic scene _derontes_here (a general term); _etupton_, -they kept smiting;" _paisas_in the next verse, implying violence; _ekolaphisan_, -slapped with the open palm," Matthew 26:67; _errapisan_,... [ Continue Reading ]
63-65. The First Derision. Hanan had simply tried to entangle Jesus by insidious questions. The course of the trial before Caiaphas was different. The Priests on that occasion "sought false witness," but their false witnesses contradicted each other in their attempt to prove that He had threatened... [ Continue Reading ]
_blindfolded him_ Probably by throwing an _abba_over his head and face. Mark 14:65. The Talmud says that the False Messiah, Bar Cochba, was similarly insulted.... [ Continue Reading ]
_blasphemously_ This term now bears a different meaning. Here it merely means - _reviling Him_.... [ Continue Reading ]
66-71. The third Jewish Trial. 66. _as soon as it was day_ The Oral Law decided that the Sanhedrin could only meet by daylight. _elders of the people_ Literally, _"the presbytery_of the people," as in Acts 22:5. _elders...chief priests...scribes_ See Mark 15:1. The three constituent parts of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Aid thou the Christ?_ The object of the Sanhedrin was somewhat different from that of the Priests in the house of Caiaphas. _They_ had only succeeded in establishing (by a most illegal personal appeal) a charge of constructive blasphemy. But -blasphemy" was not a charge on which a Roman could prono... [ Continue Reading ]
_if I also ask you, you will not answer_ This is our Lord's protest against the illegal violence of the whole proceedings.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hereafter shall the Son of man sit_ Rather, BUT FROM HENCEFORTH (comp. Luke 1:48; Luke 5:10) SHALL THE SON OF MAN HE SEATED AT. Our Lord seems at last to have broken His silence in these words, in order to end a miserable and useless scene. The words would at once recall Daniel 7:13-14; see John 1:... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye say that I am_ A Hebrew formula _(antt" amarta)._"Your words verify themselves." See some striking remarks in De Quincey, _Works_, in. 304. But the formula like "Thou sayest" in John 18:37 seems also to have been meant to waive further discussion. See p. 385. _What need we any further witness_?]... [ Continue Reading ]