Luke 22, Part Two

Jesus predicts Peter's denial (vs. 31-34)--The Lord tenderly indicates that Peter will slip in his faith (vs. 31-32), but will return. Peter objects, saying "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death" (v. 33). Easier said than done, and Peter obviously didn't do it--at least while Jesus was alive. Peter sank very low, of course, but never completely fell away.

Prepare for the work (vs. 35-38)--Jesus' words in this section are a little confusing. When He first sent them out (the so-called “limited commission,” see Matthew 10), they didn't need anything--all was providentially provided for them (v. 35). Now He tells them that they must prepare, and in effect, be ready to--at least partially--take care of themselves, and even defend themselves--if you don't have a sword, buy one (v. 36). But then, when they show Him two swords, He says "It is enough" (v. 38). It's possible that Christ's rather curt answer was to end a conversation that His disciples surely didn't understand anyway. I think the major point here is, once again, priorities. You (apostles) will have needs, but don't emphasize the physical over the spiritual.

Jesus in the garden (vs. 39-46)--Jesus then went to the garden of Gethsemane, where He often went to pray, and which was located on the Mount of Olives right outside the city. Jesus asked His disciples to pray, and then withdrew from them "about a stone's throw." It's not exactly clear how far that was, but it was common saying among the ancients. His prayer was given an immediate response by an angel appearing from heaven, "strengthening Him" (v. 43). He prayed in agony (v. 44). The "great drops of blood" (v. 44) were not really blood but indicate the intensity of His feelings. The disciples had fallen asleep "from sorrow" (v. 45). They may not have understood what was about to happen to Jesus, but they no doubt caught His somber mood and were affected by it themselves.

Judas betrays Jesus (vs. 47-53)--The chief priests, etc., had brought a rabble with them to arrest Jesus (v. 47), in case there was resistance from the twelve. That rabble might not have recognized Christ, so Judas plants the most famous kiss in human history. Peter--it was he, so John tells us--was indeed disposed to fight (v. 49), but Jesus didn't allow it. Christ mocks the religious leaders in verses 52-53. They could have arrested Him at any time in a public place, but they didn't have the guts to do it. So, they get one of His followers to betray Him and do the nefarious deed under the cover of darkness. Other gospel writers tell us that when Jesus succumbed to willingly, His disciples fled (cf. Mark 14:50).

Peter's denial (vs. 54-62)—Jesus was taken initially to the high priest's house; his name was Caiaphas (Mt. 26:57). John tells us it was Annas (John 18:24). Annas had indeed been high priest for several years, but the Romans had deposed him. So, to the Jews, Annas was still the legitimate high priest. Mark wrote to a Roman audience so they would have recognized the Roman action of removing Annas from his position. Peter had followed Jesus and stood in the courtyard, watching the action. He was confronted three times with his association with Jesus, and as Christ had told him, he denied the Lord all three times. Verse 61 is gut-wrenching: "And the Lord turned and looked at Peter." Imagine how Peter felt. Well, he ought to have felt horribly for what he had just done. "Peter went out and wept bitterly" (v. 62).

Christ's conviction (vs. 63-71)--The Jews had no authority, under Roman law, to put someone to death, so they had to find a reason. First of all, however, they needed an excuse they could give to their own people. So they questioned Jesus until he confessed "Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God" (v. 69). To the Jewish leaders, this amounted to blasphemy which was a capital crime under their law--but not under Roman. Before Pilate, they will accuse Jesus of claiming to be a king--which would have been treason and punishable by death under Roman law.