Luke 22

Luke 22:1-6

In this chapter we have, 1. The plot to take ‘Jefas, and ‘Judas’: coming into it, ver. 1—6. 2. Christ’s setting the passover with his disciples, ver. 7—18. 3. The infirmity of the Lord’s fupper, ver. 19, 20. 4. Christ’s discourse with his disciples after fupper, upon several heads, ver. 21—38. 5. His enemy in the garden, ver. 39—46. 6. The apprehending of him, by the affortance of ‘Judas’, ver. 47—53. 7. Peter’s denying him, ver. 54—62. 8. The indignities done to Christ by those that had been

in custody, and his trial and condemnation in the ecclesiastical court,

ver. 63—71. a Mat. xvi. 9. Mark. xvi. 8. Ex. vii. 16. 8. Pr. ii. 8. John ii. 47. Adda. ii. 47. 7. John xiii. 7. 37. Adda. 7. 5. 1. NOW the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the pass-over. 2. And the chief priests and scribes ‘fought how they might, kill him; for they feared the people. 3. ¶ Then ‘rotred Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4. And he went his way, and commued with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5. And they were glad, and covenanted to ‘give him money. 6. And he promised, and fought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. The awful hour now approaches, when the great Keddermer must offer himself a sacrifice for the sins of his people. We have, 1. The chief priests and scribes comforting how to perpetrate the bloody deed they had reduced. The fear of the people resrained them from open violence, and now they plotted how to take him off secretly. 2. Judas, the traitor, opportunely appeared to further their scheme. Satan, whose slave he had ever continued, even tho’ advanced to the dignity of an Apostle, now urged him on to the precipice of ruin; and going to the chief priests, in council assembled, who gladly embraced the offer he made, they soon struck up the bargain, and for thirty pieces of silver he cagaged to betray his Master; and accordingly he watched for a secret opportunity, when, in the absence of the people, they might seize him without fear of a tumult. Note, (1.) All the malice of open enemies do not strike at the cause of Christ to deeply as the perfidy of false disciples. (2.) The devil watches the weak side of prophecies; and whether it be gold, or wine, or women, &c. he prepares the bait, and apoftates readily catch at it. 7. ¶ Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9. And they said unto him, Where with thou that we prepare? 10. And he said unto them, Behold, Where ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entreth in. 11. And ye shall say unto the good man of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest-chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 12. And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13. And they went and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 14. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. 16. For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, ‘until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18. For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19. ¶ And ‘he took bread, and ‘gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20. Likewise also the cup after fupper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Luke 22:7-20

The day of the preparation of the passover being come, we have, 1. The solemnization of it according to the law. His disciples, Peter and John, had been first to make ready, and directed whether to go; and having followed the orders of their Master, and prepared the paschal lamb, at even he came and sat down with the twelve, Judas being still of the number, his treachery not having yet openly appeared. Being seated, with warm alfection he addressed them, saying, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. He was happy to have this last meeting with them; he longed for the hour when the great work he had undertaken should be accomplished, and that was now at hand. He welcomed those approaching sufferings which procured their salvation, and was now about to put a period to all the ceremonial institutions. Therefore he adds,

I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of

Luke 22:63-71

his supper: or when the heavenly kingdom should come, where his redeemed people shall be for ever satisfied with the pleasants that are at his right hand.

8. The institution of the Lord’s supper, which should be continually celebrated in his church, in memory of a greater redemption than that from Egypt, even the deliverance which he hath obtained for us by the sacrifice of himself, from Satan, sin, death, and hell. The bread is broken in token of his body being broken on the crofs: it is given us as spiritual food for our immortal souls, that by faith leading upon the great deference of his atonement and righteousness, we may be comforted and strengthened with might in the inner man. And the wine repertoire to us that blood he shed for the rendition of our sins, and seals to us all the promises of the everlasting covenant, of which we are assured partakers, when faith realizes the figure, and makes Christ’s flesh most indeed, and his blood drink indeed, for then we have everlasting life in him.

9. ¶ But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me, it with me on the table, 22. And truly the Son of man goeth “as it was determined: but we unto that man by whom he is betrayed. 23. And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. 24. ¶ And there was also a strike among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. 25. And he said unto them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them, are called benefactors. 26. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief,” as he that doth serve. 27. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth: is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. 28. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me: 30. That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and fit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31. ¶ And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may lift you as wheat: 32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee both into prison, and to death. 34. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knoweth me. 35. And he said unto them, When I test you without purfe, and scrip, and show, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36. Then said he unto them, But now he that hath a purfe, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him fill his garment, and buy one. 37. For I say unto you, that this that is written, must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38. And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

10. 33—38. Christ having finished the supper, addresses himself to his disciples.

11. He admonishes them, that, though strange the relation, yet one of them should betray him. That he should thus go, was ordained by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God; yet stressful would be the guilt of that wretch who should perpetrate the horrid deed. Admonished at the information, the disciples with anxious solicitude began to enquire which of them he pointed at, shocked with the thought of being guilty of such enormous wickedness. Note, (1.) There are in every age traitors, who eat of Christ’s bread, and yet betray him. (2.) Though God foresees and permits the wickedness of sinners, yet will not this at all exculpate them from their guilt. (3.) Holy jealousy over ourselves, lest we should be faithless, is the fuzest way to preserve our fidelity inviolable.

12. He rebukes the sinful affliction of precedency, for which his apostles, whose heads were still full of his temporal kingdom, had been disputing among themselves. He corrects their vain imaginations, and assures them, that the kingdom he was about to erect, was in no wise like the kingdoms of the Gentiles, where the princes and rulers exercised detested favor on their subjects, affected the title of benefactors, and were flattered with it by their subjects: but they who bore his commission must not imitate such examples, nor think of lording it over their brethren. The way in which his ministers can only hope to rise in eminence, is by condefending to every work and labour of love; to serve the means and lead of his disciples;

in honour preferring others to themselves, and being ever little and low in their own eyes. His own example was a powerful argument to enforce humility upon them. Though he was their Master, and they his servants, he submitted even to wash their feet, that they might leave of him. Hitherto they had continued with him during all his trials and humiliations; they have only to persevere in the same way, expecting nothing on earth but sufferings, and looking for higher honours than the fading ones of this world; either in the kingdom of grace, in which they should fill the most important stadiums, be made eminent instruments of God for good to men’s souls, and partake of the rich provision of gospel ordinances; or, in the kingdom of glory, where they should reign with their exalted Lord, filled with eternal confessions, and let down on thrones prepared for them at his right hand, assessors with him in the judgment, as he himself was now about to take the mediatorial throne appointed to him by his Father, and should reign over his redeemed people in glory everlasting. Note, (1.) In Christ’s kingdom humility is the only way to honour; and our ambition must be, not to be adduced as great, but to lay ourselves out in doing good. (2.) They who faithfully adhere to the Saviour in the midst of mankind temptations, shall find, that as their tribulations abound for Christ, their confessions even in this world shall abound also, and that they shall, in the world to come, obtain a throne of glory that fades not away. (3.) Those who receive the kingdom of grace or glory, are purely indebted for it to the gift of Jesus. (4.) The desire of God are now usually detested and trampled upon; but shortly their revilers and persecutors shall see them exalted to a throne, and assessors with the great Judge, before which but they must stand trembling, and be covered with everlasting shame and contempt.

3. He warns Peter of his approaching fall, but assures him with his grace to recover him, that he should not finally be cast away. Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to deny you, even all of you, as he desired God’s permission to tempt John, without which he dared not touch a hair of his head: and his purpose is, to lift you as wheat; hoping either to prove them chaff, and destroy them by apostasy; or at least to distress, terrify, and scatter them in the hour of temptation: And I have prayed for thee, in particular, against whom the fiercest attack will be made, that thy faith fail not, totally and finally, though it will be grievously shaken. And when thou art converted, recovered from this grievous fall and temptation, strengthen thy brethren; taught by experience, admonish others of the rock of self-confidence on which thou hast struck, and to beware of temptation: but if they are overcome, encourage them again to return, and not to despair, since there is mercy for the safest backsliders, and on repenting sinner is rejected. Note, (1.) Satan is unable without leave to hurt the least of God’s saints. (2.) A person may be overcome by temptation, and yet their faith not utterly fail. (3.) Where true faith is in the heart, the God cannot finally perish. (4.) All our perseverance and falsity is not to be ascribed to any resolution of our own, but to the credible intercession of our divine advocate. (5.) When we have fallen, we may not lie down in despair, but arise, and return with shame and humble confession to a pardoning God, that we may find mercy. (6.) They who have been most tempted and exercised themselves, are the best counsellors for others under the like trials, and will have most compassion for them, and be able by their own experience to comfort and encourage them in their distress.

4. He sciences Peter’s books with express assurances of his being about to deny him thrice. Peter resolutely declared, neither a prison nor death should ever make him be false to his Master, or quit him for a moment: but Christ assures him, that night he would have a due conviction of the weakness of his resolutions, and he strength of the tempers; power over him, even so far as to make him deny that he ever knew his Master. Note, We could not suspect there was so much evil in our hearts, if in a day of temptation we had not proved it to our grief; but Christ knows it all, and provides the grace for our recovery, even before we have fallen.

5. He appeals to his disciples for his past care over them; and they own, that in all their journeys, when they travelled without money or provisions, they lacked nothing. Note, (1.) The more we reflect on the divine Providence in the days that are past, the more we shall be compelled to acknowledge, that hitherto God hath helped us. (2.) Full experience of the Lord’s goodness should engage our present confidence in his mercy. (3.) Christ’s disciples must be satisfied with a little, and their Master will take care they shall not be defticate.

6. He bids them now prepare for and expect more perilous times, and days of greater distress. He was about to suffer among transgressors, in the greatest torment and ignominy, according to the ancient prophecies concerning him, all which now were ready to be accomplished: and they, for the testimony of his gospel, would be exposed to want and suffering. They must now take all they have, and employ it in providing those necessaries for themselves which they will want; and need, thus at the expense of their garments, purchase a sword, as more needful

needful for their own defence against the perils of robbers, which they may be called to encounter in their travels. Or, figuratively, this may rather refer to the perleculations and violence of their enemies, against which it would require all their fortitude and courage to bear up. The disciples, supposing that he meant literally, that they should repel force by force, replied, Lord, here are two friends, as if they wished to know whether they should procure more; but he had unto them, It is enough; these were sufficient to answer the instructive design for which he mentioned them. It was not by those weapons of war that his kingdom was to be spread, or their safety secured; but by the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and the left.

39. ¶ And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray, that ye enter not into temptation. 41. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed. 42. Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done. 43. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44. And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow. 46. And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

o. 39—46. We have here Christ’s agony in the garden, the account of which the other Evangelists had given us in nearly the same words. See Mat. xxvi. 3b. Mark xiv. 32. Three circumferences are here particularly taken notice of.

1. That an angel appeared from heaven, strengthening him in his agony; probably suggesting to him, as man, some powerful inducements to encourage and support him under his unmistakable distress; that the conflict would be short, the issue glorious, the victory sure, and the eternal salvation of his people be the great reward. So low did the Son of God humble himself, as to need their services, who were the work of his own hands: and they who ministered to him, will not fail to perform the like kind offices to the heirs of salvation. If the Lord lays upon us heavy burdens, he will send us help in the needful time of trouble.

2. That being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly. All the storms and billows of divine wrath were now going over him, and the great enemy of souls with all his fury hurled his fiery darts against him. With strong crying and tears he redoubled therefore his supplications, and was heard. Not, Prayer is at all times favorable; but when we are under distress of body or soul, we are peculiarly called to cry mightily to him, whose strength is made perfect in weakness, and every wrobbing Jacob will be a prevailing Israel.

3. His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. The intendents of his agony threw the humours of his body into so violent a fermentation, that though it was right, and he lay on the cold ground, the blood translated with his sweat through the pores, and the teeking drops trickling down, dyed the earth on which he lay. What a bloody baptism was he baptized with! My soul, behold, admire, and adore! It was love for thee that brought thy Saviour thus low: these drops of bloody sweat are the expiation of thy iniquities.

4. ¶ And while he yet spake, behold, a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, were before them, and drew near unto Jesus, to kiss him. 48. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayeth thou the Son of man with a kiss? 49. When they which were about him, saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smote with the sword? 50. ¶ And one of them: smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear; and healed him. 52. Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders which were come to him, Be ye come out as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53. When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

o. 47—53. The trainer with an armed hand now appears, and we have.

1. Christ betrayed. The signal given by Judas was a kiss. Adding hypocrisy to his treachery he approached him, and Jesus, who well knew his design, with one kind word of expudiation on his business, readily surrendered himself into the hands

of his enemies. Not, The Lord is privy to the secret thoughts of apostates in heart, and sees the trainer under all the specious profession he makes.

2. The disciples, who instantly would have stood on their defence, and rescued him, asked his leave to outhoath their swords; but Peter, too impatient to wait for an answer, drew, and aiming a blow at one of those who were active in seizing on his Master, a servant of the high priest, the sword glanced down the side of his head, and took off his right ear. But Christ rebuked Peter for his raftness, and deftens his enemies not to retreat the blow which Peter had struck, the damage of which he immediately repairs, and on the spot gave them an evidence of his power and grace, by healing the servant, and enforcing his left ear; which, if their hearts had not been hardened as the nether misfortune, could not fail to have considered them both of the wickedness and ingratitude of their conduct. May we learn of our Lord thus ever to render good for evil.

3. He capsulates with the chief priests, and the captains of the temple, and elders, some of whom, even at that unfavourable hour, forgetting their dignity, and indignant by their malice, now mingled with the soldiers, and came to make sure of their prey. Christ reasons with them on the uselessness of such a military force, when he never would have attempted resistance, nor ever meant to abhorred, since he appeared daily in public at the temple: But, says he, this is your favor, and the power of darkness. Till that hour came, all the powers of earth and hell could not prevail against him; now it was come, they would find no difficulty in performing what was the predetermined counsel of God.

4. Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed a star off. 55. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. 56. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 57. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. 58. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. 59. And about the space of one hour after, another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him; for he is a Galilean. 60. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crew, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

o. 54—62. We have here.

1. Peter’s sad fall. Willing to see what would be the end of his Master’s trials, he stole into the palace, and hoped to pick unperceived among the crowd; but his look, his behaviour, his speech, discovered him, and excited repeated charges from the by-standers, which he solemnly dishonest, declaring he did not know the man Jesus whom they spoke of, and confirming the horrid lie with the most profane marks and perjury. One willful lie has often led men on to the most dreadful lengths. None know where they shall stop, when for a moment they deviate from the path of truth.

2. His gracious recovery. The cock crew to warn him of his guilt, and rung in Peter’s ears a peal of loudest thunder; and one look of Jesus broke his heart with anguish. He turned, and looked upon Peter; and that glance spoke more than words could utter. It showed him, that, though now on his trial, Christ was apprised of all that passed: it conveyed the deepest conviction, the rendered expudiation, the kindest compulsion, and the most effectual calls of grace to his heart. Peter’s guilt now rose in blackest colours to his view; his business, his ingratitude, every aggravating circumstance returned to his memory; and, overwhelmed with grief, anguish, horror, and shame, he went out, and swept bitterly.

3. ¶ And the men that held Jesus’ mocked him, and tmore does. 64. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophecy, who is it that tmore thee? 65. And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. 66. ¶ And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people, and the chief priests, and the scribes came together, and led him into their council. 67. Saying, Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, you will not believe. 68. And if I also ask you, you will not answer me, nor let me go. 69. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. 70. Then said they all, Art thou the

the

the Son of God? And he said unto them, “Ye say that I am. 71. And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

Behold with horror and indignation.

1. The insults put on this innocent sufferer by the abjects who gathered themselves against him. The servants who kept Jesus in custody till the council met, mocked him, buffeted him; and blindfolding him, in derision of his propitiorical character, struck him on the face, and bid him tell who smote him: with other blasphemies, which he silently and patiently endured.

2. The injustice and cruel oppression which his judges, the chief priests and Scribes, shewed at his trial. Early they arose, at break of day, eager to hasten his condemnation; and having brought him before them, demanded a direct answer, whether he were the Merffish, or no. Christ knew that their wicked design was to employ his own words as the ground of his condemnation, and therefore expeditions with them on their unfair and unreasonable proceedings. If I tell you, ye will not believe; they were resolved at all events, in hardened obliteracy, to reject his pretensions; and if I ask you what you can object to the evidences of my divine mission which I have given, you will not enquire me; unable to refute them, yet determined not to be convinced by them, though reduced to silence: nor will you let me go, though unable to prove a single charge against me. Therefore he refers them for conviction to his coming with vengeance on the throne of judgment; when they should know, to their craft, whether he really was possessed of that character which he affirmed. With indignation they tumultuously asked, whether he dared arrogate the title of the Son of God? He boldly replied in the affirmative, so they said, and so indeed he was. With one voice they instantly condemned him as a blasphemer, counting any farther witness unnecessary; when his own confession proved, as they concluded, the blasphemy of his pretensions. So were they given up to a repudiate mind, and blind to the clearest evidence of truth, wilfully rushed on their eternal ruin, filling up the measure of their iniquities.