Jesus and the Last Supper/Passover (Luke 22:7-23)
Introduction
As the shadow of the cross looms closer, Luke 22 brings us into the upper room, where Jesus and his disciples prepare for the Passover. What begins as a familiar ritual meal soon transforms into something far greater—the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Every detail is deliberate, every word heavy with meaning.
The disciples, unaware of the full weight of the moment, sit with Jesus as he redefines the covenant relationship between God and us. Meanwhile, betrayal lurks at the table. Judas, having already conspired with the chief priests, shares in the meal even as he plots against his Master. These verses draw us into the heart of Jesus’ mission, showing the tension between divine purpose and human failure. In this sacred meal, Jesus offers not just bread and wine, but his very life for the salvation of the world.
Fewer passages encourage our imagination like Jesus’ Last Supper with the disciples.
Verse-by-Verse Commentary of Luke 22:7-23 with Meaning
Preparation for the Passover/Last Supper
Luke 22:7
"Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed."
The Passover celebration was central to Jewish life, commemorating God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 12). The sacrificial lamb symbolized atonement, prefiguring Christ as the true Lamb of God (John 1:29). The timing is crucial—Jesus' crucifixion coincides with the Passover, reinforcing the theological truth that he is the ultimate sacrifice, bringing redemption not just for Israel but for all who believe.
Luke’s mention of the day "on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed" underscores divine necessity. Jesus’ mission unfolds according to God’s sovereign plan, echoing Philippians 2:8—he humbles himself to death on a cross at the appointed time.
Luke 22:8
"So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.’"
Jesus entrusts Peter and John with a significant task. The Passover meal required careful preparation, including securing a lamb, unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and wine. His directive also demonstrates foreknowledge—he is in control despite the looming betrayal.
Throughout Luke’s Gospel, Jesus has prepared his disciples for what is coming (Luke 9:22, 18:31-33). Now, as they prepare the Passover, they unknowingly prepare for something greater—the institution of the Lord’s Supper.
Luke 22:9-10
"They asked him, ‘Where do you want us to make preparations for it?’ He said to them, ‘Listen, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters.’"
Jesus provides specific instructions, demonstrating divine omniscience. Men typically did not carry water jars—that was women’s work. This unusual detail ensures the disciples recognize the right person (Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. InterVarsity Press, 1993, p. 243).
This moment echoes Luke 19:30-31, where Jesus sends disciples to find a colt for his triumphal entry. In both cases, his foreknowledge reinforces that he is directing events, not merely reacting to them.
Luke 22:11-13
"And say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks you, Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.’ So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal."
This account highlights divine orchestration. The room is already prepared, much like Jesus has already prepared the way for salvation. His sovereignty is at work behind the scenes, ensuring that his final meal with the disciples unfolds precisely as planned.
The Last Supper and Institution of the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:14–23)
Luke 22:14-15
"When the hour came, he took his place at the table and the apostles with him. He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.’"
Jesus approaches this meal with deep longing. His words convey both the weight of what is to come and the love he has for his disciples. This is more than a ritual—it is a final, intimate moment before his suffering.
The phrase "before I suffer" emphasizes his impending death, yet Jesus does not shrink from it. He fulfills Isaiah 53:7, willingly becoming the Lamb led to slaughter. This moment echoes 1 John 3:16: "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us."
Luke 22:16
"For I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."
Jesus’ statement in Luke 22:16 not only connects the Last Supper to the coming fulfillment of God’s kingdom but also deepens the meaning of his impending sacrifice. He signals that this Passover meal is unlike any other before it. While Passover traditionally commemorates Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, Jesus transforms it into something greater—pointing to a future feast in the fully realized kingdom of God.
This moment carries both finality and expectation. Jesus declares that he will not eat this meal again until it reaches its ultimate fulfillment, implying a temporary separation. This echoes Ephesians 1:10, which describes God’s plan to bring all things together under Christ. The supper serves as a bridge between the present and the future—between the old covenant, marked by sacrifices, and the new covenant, sealed by Jesus’ blood.
The marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19:9 provides the clearest picture of this future fulfillment. Just as Passover pointed back to Israel’s rescue from Egypt, the Lord’s Supper now points forward to the day when Jesus will dine again with his people in a world fully restored. Philippians 3:20-21 reminds believers that their citizenship is in heaven, where they await Christ’s return and the transformation of all things.
In this verse, Jesus does not reject the Passover meal but rather elevates it. He shows that it is part of a grander story—one that culminates in complete redemption. Until that day, the church continues to partake in communion, remembering Jesus’ sacrifice while longing for the final banquet where sorrow, suffering, and sin will be no more.
Luke 22:17-18
"Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’"
Wine in Jewish tradition symbolized joy, but Jesus abstains, signifying that his joy will be complete only when God’s kingdom is fully realized. This statement reinforces his earlier words in Luke 5:35, where he foretold a time when his disciples would fast after he was taken from them.
Luke 22:19
"Then He took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’"
In Luke 22:19, Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and gives it to his disciples, transforming the meaning of the Passover meal. What was once a symbol of Israel’s hurried escape from Egypt now becomes a symbol of his own body, which will be broken for the salvation of many. In this moment, Jesus redefines the ancient meal, shifting its focus from deliverance out of slavery in Egypt to deliverance from sin and death through his sacrifice.
This act embodies the humility and self-giving nature of Christ, as described in Philippians 2:6-7: “Though he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.” Jesus does not merely point to salvation—he becomes salvation. By breaking the bread and offering it, he foreshadows his impending suffering on the cross, where his body will be given completely for the redemption of humanity.
Additionally, this moment establishes the foundation of Christian worship. Jesus commands his disciples, “Do this in remembrance of me.” The Lord’s Supper is not just a ritual; it is an act of participation in Christ’s sacrifice. As 1 Corinthians 11:26 states, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Every time believers partake of communion, they not only remember Christ’s work but also declare their hope in his return.
Through this simple act of breaking bread, Jesus reveals the depth of his mission: to give himself fully for the world. The bread is no longer just sustenance—it is a sign of the new covenant, a tangible expression of God’s grace.
Luke 22:20
"And He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.’"
In Luke 22:20, when Jesus declares, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood,” He is making a profound declaration about the shift in God’s relationship with the people. This “new covenant” he speaks of is not just a replacement of the old, but the fulfillment of God’s promise in the Old Testament, particularly from the prophecy in Jeremiah 31:31-34.
Jeremiah foretold a time when God would establish a new covenant with God’s people, one that would not be based on the external observance of laws written on stone, but would be inward, written on their hearts. This covenant would involve an intimate relationship between God and the people, where they would truly know God and experience forgiveness in a way that had never been possible under the old covenant of the Law. Jeremiah’s promise pointed to a deep, internal transformation that would only be made possible through God’s grace and through the atoning sacrifice of the Messiah.
In the context of the Last Supper, when Jesus speaks of the new covenant in his blood, he is signaling that his coming death is the event that will inaugurate this promised transformation. His blood, shed on the cross, serves as the sacrificial means by which this new covenant is sealed. The old system of sacrifices—animal blood, the priestly rituals, and the laws of atonement—had been pointing to this moment all along. Jesus’ sacrifice will make them obsolete because it fulfills the ultimate requirement for forgiveness, once and for all.
Jesus is not only identifying himself as the sacrificial Lamb whose blood will be poured out for the forgiveness of sins, but he is also affirming that this new covenant will allow for the law to be written on believers’ hearts, bringing about the transformation Jeremiah envisioned. This is not merely a change in ceremonial law, but a transformation of the inner being, where God’s people will be empowered to live in alignment with his will by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The language of the “new covenant” brings a sense of finality and completion to God’s redemptive plan. While the old covenant was limited and temporary, the new covenant is eternal and fully effective. Jesus, as the mediator of this new covenant, ensures that his death will make the impossible possible—reconciliation with God, forgiveness of sins, and a new heart that desires to follow him. As his blood was poured out, it was a symbol not only of his death but also of the beginning of the kingdom of God breaking in, transforming everything and everyone who would accept the invitation to be part of it.
Through Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, we are reminded that the gospel is not just a message of salvation; it is an invitation into the very life of God, a life where his law is not merely obeyed but loved, written deep within us, made possible through the blood of Christ. This new covenant is God’s grace extended to humanity in its fullness, ushering in a new era of spiritual intimacy with God that was previously unimaginable.
Luke 22:21-22
"But see, the one who betrays Me is with Me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!"
Even in this sacred moment, betrayal lurks. Jesus acknowledges that his suffering is part of God’s plan (Acts 2:23), yet Judas remains accountable for his actions. Divine sovereignty and human responsibility coexist.
The tragedy of Judas is echoed in 1 John 2:19—those who depart from Christ were never truly his. Though he sat at the table, his heart was far from Jesus.
Luke 22:23
"Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this."
The disciples, stunned, question themselves. None suspects Judas. This highlights how deception can exist within close-knit communities, reinforcing Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7:21-23 that not all who claim him truly know him.
This passage leaves us with a sobering truth: proximity to Jesus does not equal faithfulness. Judas' fate serves as a cautionary tale, while Jesus’ sacrifice stands as the ultimate act of love, securing salvation for those who truly follow him.
FAQ of Luke 22:7-23: Jesus and the Last Supper
What did Jesus eat at the Last Supper?
The Gospels do not provide a full menu, but we know that Jesus and his disciples shared a Passover meal. This likely included unleavened bread, wine, and possibly roasted lamb, bitter herbs, and charoset—foods traditionally eaten during the Jewish Passover (Exodus 12:8). The most significant elements were the bread and wine, which Jesus redefined as his body and blood (Luke 22:19–20), instituting what we now call the Lord’s Supper or Communion.
Who betrayed Jesus at the Last Supper?
Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, betrayed Jesus. Luke 22:3–6 reveals that Satan entered Judas, leading him to conspire with the chief priests to hand Jesus over in exchange for money. During the meal, Jesus identified the betrayer, stating, “The one who dips his hand into the bowl with me will betray me” (Matthew 26:23). Despite this warning, Judas followed through with his betrayal, leading to Jesus’ arrest.
What did Jesus say at the Last Supper?
Jesus’ words at the Last Supper were deeply significant. He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). Then, he took the cup and said, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20). He also foretold his betrayal and assured his disciples that he would not drink of the fruit of the vine again until the kingdom of God comes (Luke 22:18).
What did Jesus say to Judas at the Last Supper?
In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus does not directly address Judas, but in John 13:27, he tells him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” This came after Jesus identified Judas as the betrayer by giving him a piece of bread. Judas then left the meal to carry out his plan.
Where did Jesus and his disciples celebrate the Passover?
Jesus and his disciples observed the Passover in a furnished upper room in Jerusalem. He instructed Peter and John to find a man carrying a jar of water, who would lead them to the house where they would prepare the meal (Luke 22:10–12). This secretive arrangement may have been to prevent Judas from betraying him before the meal was completed.
What is the Upper Room in the Bible?
The Upper Room is the place in Jerusalem where Jesus and his disciples gathered for the Last Supper (Luke 22:12–13). It was a large, furnished upstairs chamber in a private home, likely belonging to a follower of Jesus. This room is significant not only because it hosted the institution of the Lord’s Supper but also because it became a meeting place for the disciples after Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 1:13). It was in the Upper Room where they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4). The Upper Room, therefore, represents a place of fellowship, revelation, and the birth of the early Church.
The Upper Room is the place in Jerusalem where Jesus and his disciples gathered for the Last Supper (Luke 22:12–13). It was a large, furnished upstairs chamber in a private home, likely belonging to a follower of Jesus. This room is significant not only because it hosted the institution of the Lord’s Supper but also because it became a meeting place for the disciples after Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 1:13). It was in the Upper Room where they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4). The Upper Room, therefore, represents a place of fellowship, revelation, and the birth of the early Church.
How does the Passover relate to Jesus’ passion and resurrection?
Passover commemorates God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt, particularly the blood of the lamb that protected the Israelites from death (Exodus 12:13). Jesus is the ultimate Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice brings salvation from sin and eternal death (1 Corinthians 5:7). His crucifixion occurred during Passover, emphasizing that he fulfills the festival’s meaning by establishing a new covenant through his blood (Luke 22:20).
Did Jesus die on Good Friday and Passover?
The timing of Jesus’ death has been debated. The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) suggest that the Last Supper was a Passover meal, meaning Jesus was crucified the following day, on the Jewish day of preparation (Friday). John’s Gospel, however, suggests that Jesus died at the same time the Passover lambs were being sacrificed. Either way, his death aligns with the meaning of Passover—he is the true Lamb of God (John 1:29).
How could Jesus observe Passover and be killed on Passover?
Some scholars suggest that different Jewish groups followed slightly different calendars, which might explain how Jesus could eat the Passover meal and still be crucified on the day of preparation. Others argue that the meal Jesus shared was a pre-Passover meal, not the official Passover Seder. Regardless, Jesus’ death clearly fulfills the symbolism of the Passover lamb, sacrificed for the redemption of many.
Why is the Last Supper significant for Christians today?
The Last Supper is foundational to Christian worship. Jesus established the Lord’s Supper (Communion), instructing his followers to partake of the bread and wine in remembrance of his sacrifice (Luke 22:19–20). This act symbolizes his body given for us and his blood shed for the forgiveness of sins. The event also highlights themes of betrayal, redemption, and the new covenant, pointing to Jesus’ death and resurrection as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s salvation plan.
