Luke Chapter 22 recounts the events leading up to Jesus’ arrest and sets the stage for His crucifixion. The chapter opens with the chief priests and scribes plotting to kill Jesus, “for they were afraid of the people” (Luke 22:2). Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, seeks the opportunity to betray Jesus for money, aligning with the religious leaders. These events happen in Jerusalem, the religious center of Judea and under Roman governance at the time (c. AD 30). Jerusalem, long recognized as the city of the Great Temple, forms the heart of Jewish worship, and hosts the annual Passover celebration described in the Old Testament (Exodus 12:1-14).

In preparation for the Passover meal, Jesus sends Peter and John to secure a room, hinting at His sovereign oversight of even the smallest details. During the meal, Jesus institutes what is commonly called the Last Supper. He takes bread and says, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). Similarly, taking the cup, He declares, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood” (Luke 22:20). These acts foreshadow His coming sacrifice and establish a new covenant, pointing forward to the final atonement for sin that He would accomplish on the cross. Later, the Apostle Paul echoes these words while instructing early believers on commemorating the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Following the meal, Jesus withdraws from the city and heads to the Mount of Olives, a ridge just east of Jerusalem where oil—press gardens (Gethsemane) were located. In this quiet place, He prays in deep distress, anticipating His coming suffering and willingly submitting to the Father’s plan. Meanwhile, the disciples struggle to stay awake, highlighting human weakness in contrast to His obedience. It is here that Judas arrives with a crowd, betraying Jesus with a kiss (Luke 22:48). Jesus is then taken into custody, and the chapter concludes with Peter’s threefold denial of Him as foretold, showing how even Jesus’ closest followers falter in moments of fear.

Throughout Luke Chapter 22, the narrative emphasizes both Jesus’ resolve to fulfill His mission as the long—foretold Messiah and the human frailty of His disciples, underscoring the need for divine grace. The chapter lays crucial groundwork for the pivotal events of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion that follow. It also connects the Passover festival in the Old Testament, where the blood of the lamb spared the life of the Israelites, with Jesus as the ultimate Passover Lamb, paving the way for the salvation of all who trust in Him (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7).