Luke 22:1 - Meaning and Application

The year of redemption had now arrived, the year that God had fixed from eternity in his own wise plan, and that faithful people had long been waiting for as the comfort of Israel. After many ages of change and waiting, that long-promised time had finally come (Isaiah 63:4). It is worth noticing that redemption began in the very first month of that year. The Redeemer was eager to complete his work, and he was pressed until it was finished. In the same month, and at the same time of the month, when God brought Israel out of Egypt through Moses, at the beginning of months (Exodus 12:2), Christ was delivered up, so that the pattern and the fulfillment would match.

Christ is handed over when the feast of unleavened bread was near (Luke 22:1). About the time when preparations began for that feast, preparations were also being made for our Passover to be offered for us. Here we see his sworn enemies plotting against him (Luke 22:2). The chief priests, men set apart for holy service, and the scribes, men known for learning, were looking for a way to kill him, by force or by trickery. If they had their way, it would have been done quickly, but they feared the people, especially because they saw how eagerly the crowd now listened to his teaching.

A false disciple also joined their scheme and helped them, Judas, who was called Iscariot. He is described as one of the twelve, that honored and special group of disciples. It is surprising that Christ, who knows all people, would choose a traitor among that number, and even more surprising that one who knew Christ so well could become so wicked. Yet Christ had wise and holy purposes in making Judas a disciple. We are also told how one who knew Christ so well came to betray him: Satan entered Judas (Luke 22:3). This was the devil’s work, since he hoped to destroy Christ’s mission and strike at his head, but it ended only in the bruising of Christ’s heel.

Anyone who betrays Christ, or his truth and ways, is being pushed by Satan. Judas knew how badly the chief priests wanted to get Christ into their hands, and he also knew they could not do it safely without help from someone who knew where Christ went to pray and rest. So Judas went to them himself and made the offer (Luke 22:4). It is hard to say whether more harm is done to Christ’s kingdom by the power and planning of open enemies, or by the treachery and selfishness of those who pretend to be friends. In fact, without such false friends, enemies could not succeed as they often do. When Judas is seen speaking privately with the chief priests, something harmful is being planned. Nothing good is being arranged when they meet like that.

This is how their agreement worked out. Judas was to betray Christ to them and lead them to a place where they could arrest him without causing a public uproar, and that pleased them. In return, they were to give him money, and that pleased him too (Luke 22:5). They agreed on a payment, and after the deal was made, Judas looked for a chance to betray him. He likely asked Peter and John, who were closer to their Master than he was, where Jesus would be at a certain time and where he would go after the passover. They did not suspect him quickly enough. In one way or another, he soon found the opening he wanted and settled on a time and place for the arrest, away from the crowd and without any uproar.