Luke 21-22
What I Noticed Today (Luke 21-22)
Luke 21
In verses 1-4, (continuing from Luke 20:47), Jesus looked up and saw the rich giving their offering out of their surplus while a widow gave all she had as an offering.
Note: Jesus’ point is the widow’s gift was a greater sacrifice even though the amount was less because she gave all she had to live on.
In verses 5-36, (See also Matthew 24:1-44 and Mark 13:1-31), Jesus discusses what will happen just prior to His return to establish His kingdom.
In verses 5-7, the disciples remarked how beautiful the temple was, and Jesus says the day will come when one stone will not stand upon another.
In verses 8-19, the disciples asked Jesus what signs will occur when these things are about to take place (the destruction of the temple). Jesus said there would be four signs:
- There will be those who claim to be the Messiah. Do not be deceived.
- There will be wars (nations rising up against nations).
- There will be earthquakes that will cause famines and pestilence.
- There will be severe persecution of believers, and this will give you an opportunity to witness. Family members will betray you, but not a hair of your head will be lost.
Note: The first three of these signs would start before the temple's destruction (destruction by the Roman army began in A.D. 70). The fourth sign would occur later.
Note: The reference to “not a hair of your head will be lost” does not suggest no physical harm. Rather, it is a reference to spiritual security when one perseveres.
In verses 20-24, Jesus continues saying when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, flee to the mountains. There will be great persecution by the Gentiles during this time and will continue until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled.
Note: Jerusalem will fall again during the Great Tribulation (Zechariah 14:1-2) until Jesus returns to establish His kingdom.
In verses 25-28, then (after the Great Tribulation), there will be signs in the heavens, and people will see the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14) coming in a cloud with great power and glory. At this time, redemption is near.
In verses 29-33, Jesus taught the Parable of the Fig Tree. Jesus said, looking at the fig tree; when you see leaves, you know summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things (the signs), you know the kingdom of God is near. This generation will not pass away until these things take place.
Note: Verse 32 causes some controversy because some interpret the verse to be referring to the disciples; their generation will not pass away. However, it makes more sense to interpret the verse to mean the generation that exists when the signs of the coming of the Son of Man begin.
In verses 34-36, Jesus warned the disciples to be on alert at all times; to not be so distracted with the busyness of life that one does not notice the signs of the times.
In verses 37-38, Jesus taught in the temple in the morning. People would rise early to hear Him. But at night, He would go to the Mount of Olives.
Note: The reference to people rising early to hear Him suggests that what Jesus was teaching was especially meaningful for them.
Luke 22
In verses 1-6, (See also Matthew 26:1-5 and Mark 14:1-2), the Festival of Unleavened Bread and the Passover were coming up, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death.
Note: Passover commemorated the night the angel of death “passed over” the Jewish homes in Egypt marked with blood on the doorposts and lentils (Exodus 12:1-28). The Feast of Unleavened Bread commemorated the Israelite’s exodus from Egypt and occurred right after the Passover.
Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, and he agreed to betray Jesus to the chief priests and scribes for 30 pieces of silver.
In verses 7-38, (See also Matthew 26:17-35 and Mark 14:12-31), Luke reveals details of the preparations for the Passover meal and Jesus’ final teaching to the disciples before His crucifixion.
In verses 7-13, on the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover Lamb was to be slaughtered (Thursday), Jesus gave Peter and John instructions for making preparations for the Passover meal. They were to go into the city where they would find a man carrying water. They followed him to his home and asked where the room was for the Teacher to celebrate the Passover.
Note: It would have been unusual to see a man carrying water in the city because this was work usually done by women. Some scholars suggest the man must have been a believer because he didn’t ask questions about the “Teacher” and allowed them to use the room.
In verses 14-20, Jesus began the Passover meal by telling the disciples He would not eat or drink it again until the kingdom of God. He took the bread, broke it, and gave thanks saying it represented His body. Then He took the cup, which represents the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) established by His blood that is shed for you.
Note: The bread, once broken, represented Jesus’ physical body broken on the cross offered as a substitute for sinners. The cup represents His blood shed as a payment for sins.
In verses 21-23, Jesus announced the person who would betray Him was sitting at the table with them. The disciples began to argue amongst themselves who the betrayer could be.
In verses 24-30, the disciples argued who among them would be the greatest. Jesus said kings of Gentiles think that way, and they should not. Rather, the greatest among them was the one who served liked Jesus served. Because they served with Him and stood by Him in His trials, He would give them the kingdom just as God had given it to Him. On that day, you will sit on thrones and judge the 12 tribes of Israel.
In verses 31-34, Jesus predicts Simon Peter’s betrayal of Jesus. Jesus also says when Peter returns to Jesus, he is to strengthen his brothers. Peter protests saying he would go to prison and even die with Jesus, but Jesus says you will deny Him three times before the rooster crows.
Note: The “you” Jesus uses when He says Satan "wanted to sift you" is plural indicating that Satan wanted to sift all the disciples. Also, Jesus says, “when you return,” indicating he knew Peter would deny Him and return to Him.
In verses 35-38, Jesus reminds the disciples that when He had sent them out previously without a money bag or extra clothes, they had lacked for nothing (Luke 9:3). Now, however, Jesus tells them to take extra supplies, and if you don’t have a sword go buy one.
Jesus said he would be counted among the outlaws (fulfilling Isaiah 53:12).
Note: There is disagreement among scholars regarding the interpretation of Jesus’ instruction to sell your robe and buy a sword. Some spiritualize the sword saying it refers to the sword of the Spirit. This is unlikely because then one would also have to spiritualize the robes and sandals. Some say the sword would be an offensive weapon against those who might attempt to interfere with Jesus, but this is also unlikely since it goes against Jesus’ own direction (Matthew 26:52). A third possibility is the sword is for defense, but this also seems unlikely (Matthew 5:39). A fourth possibility that goes along with the instruction to take a money bag and sandals is one must be prepared to go back out on a mission.
In verses 39-46, (See also Matthew 26:36-46 and Mark 14:32-42), Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives as usual (in the evening) with the disciples following Him. He told them to pray while he went a bit further and prayed by Himself. An angel appeared and strengthened Him. In anguish, He prayed more fervently until sweat became like drops of blood. When Jesus returned to the disciples, He found them sleeping, exhausted from their grief. He told them a second time to get up and pray so they might not fall into temptation.
Note: Jesus addressed God as Father, just as He had instructed the disciples to do. His reference to taking the cup away demonstrates Jesus knew full well what lay in His future.
In verses 47-52, (See also Matthew 26:46-57 and Mark 14:43-50), as Jesus was still talking, a mob appeared with Judas leading them. Judas came near to kiss Jesus, but Jesus said, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss. A disciple cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. Jesus said enough and healed the man’s ear.
Note: The disciples’ reaction to brandish a sword and cut off the servant's ear indicates they took Jesus’ instruction literally, but Jesus’ reaction indicates they had misunderstood Him.
Jesus challenged the mob asking why they came to arrest Him at night when they could have arrested Him anytime when He was teaching in the temple.
Note: According to Jewish law, the nighttime arrest was illegal. It was also illegal because the arrest was made based on a paid accuser. The reason for the nighttime arrest seems to be that the officials feared the people’s reactions (Luke 20:19, 22:2).
In verses 54-71, (See also Matthew 26:57-75 and Mark 14:53-72), Luke records the first of Jesus’ trials before the high priest.
In verses 54-62, the mob arrested Jesus and took him to the high priest's house (Caiaphas). Peter followed at a distance and sat around a fire in the courtyard of the high priest. Peter was accused three separate times of being with Jesus and denied Him three times. Immediately a rooster crowed. Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Lord had said. Peter went outside and wept bitterly.
In verses 63-65, the men holding Jesus began to mock Him, blindfolded Him, and beat Him.
Note: Peter’s denials became more and more emphatic each time he was accused, but as soon as Jesus looked at him, he knew what Jesus had warned him about had come to pass.
In verses 66-71, Jesus was taken before the Sanhedrin (also referred to as the council of elders; they were the Jewish Supreme Court). They met at daybreak because it was illegal for them to meet at night. They asked Jesus if He was the Messiah. Jesus refused to answer directly but said from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1). They asked, are you the Son of God. To which Jesus responded, you say that I am.
The Sanhedrin judged Jesus guilty of blasphemy, claiming to be the Son of God.
Some thoughts for additional consideration:
- Satan was present throughout Luke 22. Satan entered Judas’ heart, causing him to betray Jesus. Satan was in the temple when the deal to betray Jesus was made with the chief priests. Satan was in the upper room when Satan desired to sift the disciples. Satan was in the Garden when the mob came to arrest Jesus. And, Satan was certainly in the courts of the officials and elders as the trials against Jesus were conducted.
- Jesus began teaching in the temple when He was only 12-years old and taught there His entire last week before His death.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.