Breakdown of Luke 22:1-6

"Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of th…" — The verse subtly highlights Luke's gentile audience by explaining that the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" is called the Passover, suggesting his readers might not have been as familiar with these Jewi…

Luke 22:1-6 Meaning Explained

All verses

Luke 22:1-6

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The verse subtly highlights Luke's gentile audience by explaining that the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" is called the Passover, suggesting his readers might not have been as familiar with these Jewish festivals. This characteristic touch shows Luke's intentional effort to make the story accessible to those outside the Jewish tradition.

What Luke 22:1-6 means

With the Passover feast, a time of immense national and religious significance, just days away, Jesus is keenly aware that His own time is also drawing to a close. This leads directly into the betrayal by Judas and the final, agonizing hours Jesus will spend preparing Himself and His disciples for the ultimate sacrifice.

The Passover and Unleavened Bread

You've heard of Passover, but what exactly was the Feast of Unleavened Bread? And how did they connect?

Luke opens this pivotal chapter by reminding us of the timing: "Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover." These weren't two separate festivals, but intimately linked.

A Week of Remembrance

The Feast of Unleavened Bread lasted seven days. It began on the evening of the 14th of Nisan, with the Passover meal itself. Following this, the days of unleavened bread (from the 15th to the 21st of Nisan) were observed.

Why Unleavened?

Leaven (or yeast) causes bread to puff up, symbolizing pride or corruption. The Israelites were to eat unleavened bread in haste, remembering how quickly they had to leave Egypt, without time for their bread to rise. It was a reminder of their sudden, miraculous deliverance and a call to purity and sincerity in their walk with God.

The Deeper Meaning

While it celebrated a historical event, the Passover was always pointing forward. It was a foreshadowing of Jesus, the true Lamb of God, whose sacrifice would deliver us from the bondage of sin.

The Shadow of the Cross Looms

As this familiar festival approached, a profound shift occurred in Jesus's journey. What was about to unfold was far greater than any earthly celebration.

Luke's simple statement about the approaching feast marks a critical turning point. The joyous remembrance of God's deliverance was about to be overshadowed by the ultimate act of deliverance.

From Sunshine to Sorrow

Before this point, Jesus's public life, though marked by opposition, had a relative peace. But now, He is deliberately walking towards an "ordeal of sorrow and anguish." The feast, a symbol of freedom, becomes the backdrop for the greatest enslavement and sacrifice.

The 'Cup' of Divine Wrath

Understand the original words

Original language

Passoverπάσχα

pascha · Greek Noun

A Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, characterized by the sacrifice of a lamb and the eating of unleavened bread. It serves as a typological foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Christ, the true Passover Lamb.

Feast of Unleavened Breadἄζυμος

azumos · Greek Adjective/Noun

A seven-day festival following the Passover, marked by the removal of leaven from houses, symbolizing the removal of sin and the holiness of God’s people.

chief priestsἀρχιερεύς

archiereus · Greek Noun

The leading religious and political authorities in Jerusalem, consisting of the high priest and heads of priestly families, responsible for the temple administration and the Sanhedrin.

scribesγραμματεύς

grammateus · Greek Noun

Historical context

Written: Around 60-62 AD.
Author: Luke, traditionally understood as a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul.
Location: Written from an unknown location, likely while Luke was traveling with Paul, possibly Rome.
Genre: Gospel narrative with a key feature of detailed historical and theological accuracy, often including Gentile perspectives.

Historical background

The imminent arrival of the Passover festival, a time of remembrance and liberation, provides the immediate backdrop for Jesus' final days. This sacred occasion, recalling Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt, becomes the setting for Jesus' ultimate act of liberation for all humanity.

c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus Enters Jerusalem for Passover
Jesus makes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, as crowds hail Him as king.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Jesus drives out money changers and merchants from the Temple courts, declaring it a house of prayer.
c. 30 AD
Jewish Leaders Plot Against Jesus
Following the temple cleansing, religious leaders, fearing Jesus' growing popularity and authority, begin actively seeking a way to arrest and kill Him.
c. 30 AD
The Last Supper
Jesus shares a final meal with His disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper and predicting His betrayal.
c. 30 AD

Key themes

01Foreshadowing of suffering
02Religious observance
03Approaching climax

Cross-references

Exodus 12:1-14

This passage details the institution of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, providing the foundational context for Jesus' actions and the significance of the timing mentioned in Luke 22:1.

Leviticus 23:4-8

This Levitical text outlines the specific observances and offerings required during the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, highlighting the solemn religious importance of this period.

Matthew 26:1-5

This parallel account describes the same event and the plotting of the chief priests and scribes to arrest Jesus during the festival, reinforcing the tension and conspiracy surrounding the Passover.

John 13:1-3

This passage describes Jesus' awareness of His impending death ('before the feast of the Passover') and His intimate actions during the Last Supper, showing the personal significance of this particular Passover for Him.

1 Corinthians 5:7-8

Paul connects the Passover imagery of unleavened bread with the Christian life, urging believers to 'put away the old leaven' and live as 'unleavened bread,' showing how the feast's symbolism continues.

Scholarly commentary

Luke 22:1: "Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover."

Feast (ἑορτὴ)Properly festival. See on Mark 14:1.Drew nighImperfect: "was drawing nigh."
vincent

Luke 22:1: "Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover."

Chapter 24THE WATCH IN GETHSEMANE . HITHERTO the life of Jesus has been comparatively free from sorrow and from pain. With the exception of the narrow strip of wilderness which fell between the Baptism and His inaugural miracle, the Divine Life has lain for the most part in the sunshine, above the fret and fever of anxious thought and care. True, He had enemies, whose hatred was persistent and virulent; the…
expositors

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What Luke 22:1-6 means

Original language

Passoverπάσχα

pascha · Greek Noun

Feast of Unleavened Breadἄζυμος

azumos · Greek Adjective/Noun

A seven-day festival following the Passover, marked by the removal of leaven from houses, symbolizing the removal of sin and the holiness of God’s people.

chief priestsἀρχιερεύς

archiereus · Greek Noun

The leading religious and political authorities in Jerusalem, consisting of the high priest and heads of priestly families, responsible for the temple administration and the Sanhedrin.

scribesγραμματεύς

grammateus · Greek Noun

Historical context

Written: Around 60-62 AD.
Author: Luke, traditionally understood as a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul.
Location: Written from an unknown location, likely while Luke was traveling with Paul, possibly Rome.
Genre: Gospel narrative with a key feature of detailed historical and theological accuracy, often including Gentile perspectives.

Historical background

c. 30 AD— this verse

Jesus Enters Jerusalem for Passover

Jesus makes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, as crowds hail Him as king.

c. 30 AD

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Jesus drives out money changers and merchants from the Temple courts, declaring it a house of prayer.

c. 30 AD

Jewish Leaders Plot Against Jesus

Following the temple cleansing, religious leaders, fearing Jesus' growing popularity and authority, begin actively seeking a way to arrest and kill Him.

c. 30 AD

The Last Supper

Jesus shares a final meal with His disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper and predicting His betrayal.

c. 30 AD

Scholarly commentary

Luke 22:1: "Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover."

Feast (ἑορτὴ)Properly festival. See on Mark 14:1.Drew nighImperfect: "was drawing nigh."
vincent

Luke 22:1: "Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover."

Chapter 24THE WATCH IN GETHSEMANE . HITHERTO the life of Jesus has been comparatively free from sorrow and from pain. With the exception of the narrow strip of wilderness which fell between the Baptism and His inaugural miracle, the Divine Life has lain for the most part in the sunshine, above the fret and fever of anxious thought and care. True, He had enemies, whose hatred was persistent and virulent; the…
expositors

Frequently asked questions

What does Luke 22:1-6 mean?

Explain the meaning of Luke 22:1-6

What is the context of Luke 22:1-6?

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "Passover" mean in the original Greek?”
“Why did Luke, traditionally understood as a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul. write Luke 22:1-6?”
“How does foreshadowing of suffering show up in Luke 22:1-6?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Luke 22:1-6 is available in the Sola app.