Luke 22:39 Meaning Explained

Luke 22:39

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives, a place known for its connection to Passover rituals, and the disciples followed Him. This wasn't just a casual stroll; the text highlights it was His "custom," suggesting a pattern of seeking solace or perhaps preparing for significant moments in this familiar, sacred space.

What Luke 22:39 means

After celebrating the Passover meal and instituting the Lord's Supper, Jesus and his disciples leave the upper room and head towards the Mount of Olives. Jesus, as was his custom, goes to a familiar spot there, Gethsemane, with the disciples following closely behind him. This moment marks the transition from the intimate meal to Jesus' intense prayer and subsequent arrest, setting the stage for his suffering and crucifixion.

A Customary Walk into Darkness

Jesus knew exactly where He was going. This wasn't a spontaneous detour, but a well-trodden path. Why did He choose this familiar route for such a pivotal, agonizing night?

Luke highlights Jesus' routine: "as was his custom" (v. 39). This wasn't a random choice of location, but a deliberate return to a place He frequented. The Mount of Olives, and specifically the Garden of Gethsemane, was His regular retreat for prayer, even in the face of His impending arrest and crucifixion. This custom serves several purposes:

Familiarity Amidst Turmoil

This established habit of going to the Mount of Olives provided a degree of normalcy in the midst of unprecedented emotional and spiritual turmoil. It was a place where He felt comfortable, a sanctuary for His soul before the storm.

Foreknowledge and Obedience

By returning to this known location, Jesus demonstrated His foreknowledge of events and His willing submission to the Father's plan. He wasn't surprised by His captors; He walked towards them with intention, fulfilling prophecy and His own obedience.

Setting the Stage

This familiar setting underscores the gravity of the moment. It wasn't just another prayer meeting; it was the culmination of His earthly ministry, a place where His deepest struggle and ultimate obedience would unfold.

The Disciples' Unwitting Journey

They followed Him, as they always did. But did they understand where this particular walk was leading? What does their following reveal about their state of mind?

The verse concludes with "and the disciples followed him." While this seems like a simple statement of their accompaniment, it speaks volumes in context:

Habitual Loyalty

Their following Jesus was a demonstration of their loyalty and their established pattern of life with Him. They were accustomed to following His lead, not fully grasping the divine, cosmic significance of this particular journey.

Understand the original words

Original language

Mount of OlivesἘλαιών

Elaiōn · Greek Noun

A ridge of hills east of Jerusalem, frequently associated with the prayer life of Jesus, his triumphal entry, and his future return.

customἔθος

ethos · Greek Noun

A persistent or habitual practice, often used in Scripture to describe a life characterized by consistent obedience or patterns of behavior.

Historical context

Written: Likely early 60s AD
Author: Luke, traditionally understood as a companion of the Apostle Paul
Location: Written likely from Rome, concerning events in and around Jerusalem
Genre: Gospel narrative; features a unique detail of Jesus' custom of visiting the Mount of Olives

Historical background

Jesus' walk to the Mount of Olives was not just a physical journey, but a deeply familiar spiritual practice. This custom, established during his ministry, now serves as a backdrop for his most intense prayer and the beginning of his final ordeal, highlighting both his humanity and his obedience in the face of suffering.

c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
During this period, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. His teachings often occurred in synagogues, at the Temple in Jerusalem, and in public gatherings. This verse places Jesus and his disciples in their familiar routine of ministry.
c. AD 30
Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus entered Jerusalem to a crowd proclaiming him king, fulfilling prophecy. This event heightened tensions with religious authorities and signaled the approaching Passover, a time of great religious and political significance.
c. AD 30
The Last Supper
Jesus shared his final meal with his disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper and giving them final teachings. This meal occurred just before his arrest and crucifixion, marking a pivotal moment in his ministry and their relationship.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

Key themes

01Jesus's custom of prayer
02Disciples' following
03Routine location for prayer

Cross-references

Jeremiah 31:33

This verse speaks of God writing His law on the hearts of His people, a profound internal transformation that contrasts with the external, habitual actions described in Luke, highlighting the internal heart-change Jesus was undergoing.

Psalm 42:1-2

The psalmist's deep longing for God, expressed as a deer panting for water, mirrors the intense spiritual yearning Jesus likely felt on the Mount of Olives, even as He followed His custom.

Isaiah 53:10

This prophetic passage describes the Suffering Servant making 'his life an offering for sin' and seeing the 'desire of the LORD' prosper in his hand, directly illuminating the purpose behind Jesus' custom of going to this place.

Matthew 26:36

This parallel account emphasizes that Jesus went to a specific place called Gethsemane, adding detail to Luke's mention of the Mount of Olives and further anchoring this moment in a known, significant location.

Hebrews 5:7

This verse speaks of Jesus offering prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears, which were heard because of His godly fear, directly connecting to the inner turmoil and prayer Jesus engaged in on the Mount of Olives, even during His customary visit.

Scholarly commentary

Luke 22:39: "And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him."

See the Matthew 26:30-46 notes; Mark 14:26-42 notes.
barnes

Luke 22:39: "And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him."

Luke 22:39 . Κατὰ τὸ ἔθος , according to His custom ) So the disciples were less struck by any immediate (present) sense of strangeness.— εἰς τὸ ὄρος τῶν Ἐλαιῶν , to the mount of Olives ) It was to this mountain a red cow used to be led forth to be immolated. See S. R. Zeller on Maimon. as to the red cow, pp. 360, 501.— ἠκολούθησαν , followed ) of their own accord.
bengel

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What Luke 22:39 means

Original language

Mount of OlivesἘλαιών

Elaiōn · Greek Noun

A ridge of hills east of Jerusalem, frequently associated with the prayer life of Jesus, his triumphal entry, and his future return.

customἔθος

ethos · Greek Noun

A persistent or habitual practice, often used in Scripture to describe a life characterized by consistent obedience or patterns of behavior.

Historical background

c. AD 27-30

Jesus' Public Ministry

During this period, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. His teachings often occurred in synagogues, at the Temple in Jerusalem, and in public gatherings. This verse places Jesus and his disciples in their familiar routine of ministry.

c. AD 30

Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Jesus entered Jerusalem to a crowd proclaiming him king, fulfilling prophecy. This event heightened tensions with religious authorities and signaled the approaching Passover, a time of great religious and political significance.