Luke 22

Luke situates the plot against Jesus during the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called Passover, when Jerusalem was crowded with pilgrims. Chief priests and scribes seek a way to eliminate Jesus but fear the people, continuing the tension established in the temple controversies. The statement that 'Satan entered Judas' introduces a supernatural dimension without removing Judas's agency. Luke has previously depicted Satan as departing from Jesus 'until an opportune time' in 4:13, so Judas's betrayal marks the return of that conflict at the passion.

Judas is identified as 'one of the Twelve,' making the betrayal an internal rupture rather than merely external opposition. He goes to the chief priests and temple officers and discusses how he might paradō, 'hand over' or 'betray,' Jesus. The authorities rejoice and agree to give him money. Luke does not specify the amount, unlike Matthew's thirty silver coins, and emphasizes instead Judas's search for an opportunity to deliver Jesus apart from the crowd.

Interpretive discussion centers on how Luke relates Satanic influence, Judas's motives, and divine necessity. Luke does not explain why Judas becomes receptive to Satan, nor does he portray possession as coercion that eliminates responsibility. The narrative instead holds several causal levels together: hostile leaders want Jesus dead, Judas cooperates, Satan acts through the betrayal, and the passion simultaneously unfolds within God's larger purpose.

Luke 22 opens the passion narrative proper. The Passover setting frames Judas's betrayal, the final meal, Jesus' interpretation of the bread and cup, disputes among the disciples, and predictions concerning Peter and the coming crisis. Luke juxtaposes divine purpose and human agency: the passion fulfills God's plan, yet Judas, the authorities, and the disciples remain responsible participants. The chapter repeatedly emphasizes testing, reversal, and Jesus' conscious movement toward suffering.

After the meal, the narrative moves to the Mount of Olives, where Jesus prays in anguish before his arrest. Betrayal by a kiss, the use of a sword, Peter's denial, mockery, and the council hearing progressively isolate Jesus while confirming earlier predictions. Luke also develops themes that will continue into Acts: Satanic testing, prayer under pressure, servant leadership, witness before authorities, and Jesus' exalted identity as Son of Man and Son of God. The chapter therefore interprets the arrest not as an unexpected collapse but as the convergence of scriptural fulfillment, human opposition, and Jesus' willing submission to God's purpose.