Luke 22:22
For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While Jesus acknowledges that His coming suffering is part of God's determined plan, the powerful "woe" highlights that this divine appointment doesn't erase human responsibility for betrayal. It’s a stark reminder that even within God's sovereign purposes, individual choices carry immense weight and consequence.
Jesus has just instituted the Lord's Supper, a pivotal moment where he redefines the Passover meal to signify his own coming sacrifice. As he speaks, he knows betrayal is imminent, stating that his "Son of Man" path is set by God's plan, yet a dire warning is issued against the one who will hand him over. This declaration immediately follows the disciples' argument about who is the greatest, highlighting Jesus' focus on his impending suffering amidst their earthly concerns.
Jesus is facing betrayal and death. How can this be part of God's plan?
Jesus' death wasn't a surprise to God; it was determined. This means it was part of God's eternal plan, foreknown and appointed. Even though human hands carried out the betrayal, God's sovereign purpose was being fulfilled. This doesn't excuse the betrayer, but it highlights God's ultimate control over all circumstances, even evil ones.
Divine Foreknowledge
Think of it like a script that was written long ago. God knew every word, every action, and every consequence. His foreknowledge isn't just seeing the future; it's actively ordaining it for His purposes.
Sovereignty Over Evil
This can be a tough concept, but Scripture is clear: God is sovereign even over the actions of evil people. The betrayal of Jesus, a profoundly wicked act, was used by God to bring about salvation for the world. This doesn't make the evil any less evil, but it shows God's power to work through it.
Jesus speaks of His determined path, but then issues a strong warning. What does this 'woe' truly mean?
While Jesus acknowledges the divine necessity of His suffering and death, He doesn't minimize the horrific sin of betrayal. The 'woe' pronounced here is a declaration of severe judgment and inevitable consequence for the one who would betray Him.
Personal Responsibility
God's plan doesn't negate human responsibility. Judas, despite being an instrument in God's plan, was fully accountable for his choice to betray Jesus. His actions were his own, and they carried a terrible cost.
A Warning to All
This warning isn't just for Judas. It serves as a stark reminder to all of us about the gravity of sin, especially sins that involve betraying Christ's followers or His truth. The ultimate consequence for such actions is separation from God.
Understand the original words
ho huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun phrase
A messianic title used by Jesus referring to Himself, derived from Daniel 7:13-14, emphasizing both His humanity and His divine authority as the eschatological Judge and King.
horizō · Greek Verb
A term often associated with the sovereign plan or decree of God. In this context, it signifies that Jesus’ suffering and death were not accidental but fulfilled the divine necessity of the Father's will.
ouai · Greek Interjection
An interjection expressing deep grief, distress, or impending judgment. It functions as a solemn pronouncement of doom upon those who set themselves against God’s purposes.
This verse highlights the tension between God's sovereign, predetermined plan for salvation through the Messiah's death and the terrible personal responsibility and judgment that comes to those who actively participate in that plan through wicked deeds, like Judas' betrayal.
c. 700 BC - 500 BC
Prophets Foretell Messiah's Suffering
Prophets like Isaiah wrote extensively about a suffering servant who would come, establishing a theological framework for the Messiah's future death.
c. 27 BC - 30 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Prediction of Betrayal
During His public ministry, Jesus openly declared that He would suffer and die, and specifically predicted His betrayal by one of His closest followers.
Nisan 14, 30 AD— this verse
The Last Supper
Jesus shared His final Passover meal with His disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper and speaking these words about His impending death and betrayal.
Nisan 14, 30 AD
Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane
Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, betrayed Jesus to the authorities with a kiss, leading to Jesus' arrest.
This passage directly echoes Luke 22:22, stating Jesus was delivered 'by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God,' highlighting the divine plan behind His betrayal and death.
Revelation 13:8This verse refers to Jesus as 'the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world,' emphasizing that the suffering and death of Christ, including His betrayal, were part of God's eternal plan.
Psalm 41:9This Old Testament psalm is seen as a prophecy pointing to the betrayal by a close associate, with Jesus even quoting it to refer to Judas's actions, showing a deep historical foreshadowing.
Matthew 26:24Matthew's account of the same event includes Jesus saying it would have been better for Judas if he had never been born, intensifying the 'woe' pronounced in Luke and underscoring the gravity of his betrayal.
bengelLuke 22:22: "And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!"
Luke 22:22 . Κατἀ τὸ ὡρισμένον , according to what was determined ) What was determined or appointed, we may know from Scripture. See Luke 22:37 (“This that is written must yet be accomplished”); Mark 14:21 (“The Son of Man goeth, as it is written of Him”).—V. g.]
ellicottLuke 22:22: "And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!"
(22) As it was determined. —The word is eminently characteristic of St. Luke. (Comp. Acts 2:23 ; Acts 10:42 ; Acts 17:26 ; Acts 17:31 .) Woe unto that man . . .—As occurring in all the first three Gospels, the words must be noted as among those that had made an indelible impression on those who heard them, and were therefore reproduced verbatim in the midst of many variations on oth…
While Jesus acknowledges that His coming suffering is part of God's determined plan, the powerful "woe" highlights that this divine appointment doesn't erase human responsibility for betrayal. It’s a stark reminder that even within God's sovereign purposes, individual choices carry immense weight and consequence.
Jesus has just instituted the Lord's Supper, a pivotal moment where he redefines the Passover meal to signify his own coming sacrifice. As he speaks, he knows betrayal is imminent, stating that his "Son of Man" path is set by God's plan, yet a dire warning is issued against the one who will hand him over. This declaration immediately follows the disciples' argument about who is the greatest, highlighting Jesus' focus on his impending suffering amidst their earthly concerns.
Jesus has just instituted the Lord's Supper, a pivotal moment where he redefines the Passover meal to signify his own coming sacrifice. As he speaks, he knows betrayal is imminent, stating that his "Son of Man" path is set by God's plan, yet a dire warning is issued against the one who will hand him over. This declaration immediately follows the disciples' argument about who is the greatest, highlighting Jesus' focus on his impending suffering amidst their earthly concerns.
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Nisan 15, 30 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus was condemned, scourged, and crucified, fulfilling prophecies and God's determined plan for salvation.
c. 30 AD - 33 AD
Early Church Preaching
The apostles, like Peter in Acts, would later preach that Jesus' death and resurrection were according to God's determined plan and foreknowledge.
"For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”" — While Jesus acknowledges that His coming suffering is part of God's determined plan, the powerful "woe" highlights that this divine appointment doesn't erase human responsibility for betrayal. It’s a…
