When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus highlights the contrast between the crowds' fear of him in the temple and their boldness now that he's alone and arrested. He's not just saying it's night; he's pointing out this is the specific, permitted time for the forces of evil to operate, a stark reminder of his own sovereign control even in his apparent defeat.
When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just been betrayed by Judas and is now surrounded by a hostile crowd armed with swords and clubs. Peter rashly draws his sword and strikes a servant of the high priest, but Jesus rebukes him, stating that while this is the moment of His arrest, it is permitted by God and orchestrated by the "power of darkness."
Jesus was arrested, betrayed, and about to be crucified. It felt like a complete loss, a triumph for his enemies. But Jesus saw something deeper.
Jesus’ arrest wasn't just a mob doing what they wanted. He states, 'this is your hour, and the power of darkness.'
A Limited Window
Jesus calls this moment 'the power of darkness.' What does that really mean, and why is it significant that Jesus identifies Himself with light?
When Jesus says, 'this is your hour, and the power of darkness,' He's not just talking about the bad guys winning for a bit.
Identifying the Enemy
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
skotos · Greek Noun
The metaphorical domain of Satan and the spiritual forces opposing God, characterized by ignorance, rebellion, and moral evil.
Jesus' words highlight the stark contrast between his public ministry in the Temple, where the authorities feared to act, and this moment of betrayal and arrest. He acknowledges that this is a divinely permitted 'hour' for the forces of darkness, emphasizing God's sovereign control even in the midst of evil.
c. AD 30, during Passover week— this verse
Jesus Teaches Daily in the Temple
In the days leading up to his arrest, Jesus spent his days teaching in the Temple courts in Jerusalem, drawing large crowds. The religious authorities were growing increasingly hostile but hesitated to arrest him publicly for fear of inciting the crowds.
c. AD 30, Passover night
Jesus Arrested in Gethsemane
Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus to a mob sent by the chief priests and elders. Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane after one of his disciples attempted to defend him with a sword.
c. AD 30, following the arrest
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
After his arrest, Jesus was brought before the Jewish high council (the Sanhedrin) for a preliminary trial, which included questioning by the high priest.
c. AD 30, shortly after the Sanhedrin hearing
Peter Denies Jesus
While Jesus was being interrogated, the disciple Peter, who had followed to the high priest's courtyard, denied knowing Jesus three times when questioned by bystanders.
This passage highlights Jesus' awareness of the 'prince of this world' having no hold on Him, mirroring Luke 22:53's mention of 'the power of darkness' having its hour.
Colossians 1:13Paul echoes the theme of being rescued from the dominion of darkness and transferred into God's kingdom, a spiritual parallel to Jesus' current subjugation to the 'power of darkness'.
Isaiah 53:7This prophetic passage speaks of Jesus being 'led as a lamb to the slaughter' and not opening His mouth, aligning with Jesus' passive acceptance of His arrest despite His divine power.
Matthew 26:52Jesus directly rebukes Peter for drawing his sword, stating 'all who take the sword will perish by the sword,' reinforcing the idea that this was not the time for forceful resistance but for submission to a divinely permitted hour.
clarkeLuke 22:53: "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."
I was daily with you in the temple - Alluding to the four preceding days, during the whole of which he taught in the temple, see Luke 21:37 , and Matthew 21:17 . This is your hour, and the power of darkness - That is, the time in which you are permitted to unrein your malice; which ye could not do before, because God did not permit you; and so perfectl…
pulpitLuke 22:53: "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."
Verse 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. These words of the Lord may signify, "It was from a cowardly fear of the people whom you felt were my friends that you did not dare to arrest me in the full light of day." But it is better to take the last claus…
Jesus highlights the contrast between the crowds' fear of him in the temple and their boldness now that he's alone and arrested. He's not just saying it's night; he's pointing out this is the specific, permitted time for the forces of evil to operate, a stark reminder of his own sovereign control even in his apparent defeat.
Jesus has just been betrayed by Judas and is now surrounded by a hostile crowd armed with swords and clubs. Peter rashly draws his sword and strikes a servant of the high priest, but Jesus rebukes him, stating that while this is the moment of His arrest, it is permitted by God and orchestrated by the "power of darkness."
Jesus has just been betrayed by Judas and is now surrounded by a hostile crowd armed with swords and clubs. Peter rashly draws his sword and strikes a servant of the high priest, but Jesus rebukes him, stating that while this is the moment of His arrest, it is permitted by God and orchestrated by the "power of darkness."
"When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”" — Jesus highlights the contrast between the crowds' fear of him in the temple and their boldness now that he's alone and arrested. He's not just saying it's night; he's pointing out this is the specifi…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026