Read the Passage: Luke 22:39-71

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: Luke 22:39-71

Judas’ Betrayal (22:39–53)

Luke 22:39–46 records Jesus’ season of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane before His betrayal by Judas and subsequent arrest. Both Matthew (cf. Matt. 26:36–46) and Mark (cf. Mark 14:32–42) give more details about this event; yet, only Luke reports Jesus’ instructions that the disciples were to pray for themselves—namely, that they would not fall into temptation (cf. Luke 22:40, 46). This is because, as Jesus had just explained (cf. Luke 22:31–38), a time of testing was soon coming. Additionally, only Luke records that an angel visited Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, as well as that Jesus sweat great drops of blood during His prayer, a condition known as hematidrosis (cf. Luke 22:43–44). The narrative records that the disciples were not able to stay awake and pray because of sorrow of heart (cf. Luke 22:45). Perhaps the disciples had come to realize that Jesus’ death was imminent.

The actual betrayal of Jesus is reported in Luke 22:47–53. In this narrative Judas approached Christ and kissed Him. While a kiss was usually a friendly greeting, Judas’ kiss was a prearranged sign to the guards that signaled Jesus’ identity (cf. Mark 14:44). Christ’s question to Judas before the kiss (cf. Luke 22:48) demonstrated that He was in complete control of the situation. Once the disciples realized what was happening, one disciple drew his sword and cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest. Only John identifies this disciple as Peter and the servant as Malchus (cf. John 18:10). Jesus then supernaturally healed Malchus; however, this miracle had no effect upon the hostile crowd. While Jesus willingly went with the priests, captains, and elders, observe that in Luke 22:52–53 Christ openly rebuked the religious leaders for their underhanded tactics.

Peter’s Denial (22:54–62)

In comparing the Gospel narratives, it is clear that Jesus predicted Peter’s denial of Him both at the last supper (cf. Luke 22:34; John 13:38) and on road to Gethsemane (cf. Matt. 26:34; Mark 14:30). Given Peter’s bold claims of allegiance to Christ, as well as Jesus’ predictions, we might expect that Peter would not deny Jesus. However, Luke 22:54–62 records the fulfillment of Christ’s prediction. This passage reports that Peter followed Jesus to the courtyard of Caiaphas’ house, which also bordered Annas’ house (cf. John 18:13–18). We later learn that the apostle John was also among the crowd (cf. John 18:15). In this context, Peter denied Jesus when confronted by a servant girl (cf. Luke 22:56); then Peter denied knowing Christ when faced with questions from the same servant girl (cf. Mark 14:69), as well as from others (cf. Matt. 26:71); and finally, Peter told the group that was gathered in the courtyard that he did not know Jesus.

Jesus’ Trial (22:63–71)

In comparing the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ arrest and trial, it seems that Christ actually underwent six separate trials in the early hours and morning on Friday of the Passion Week. Three of these trials were civil in nature, and three were religious in nature. These six trials were: before Annas (cf. John 18:12–14), before Caiaphas (cf. Matt. 26:57–68), before the Sanhedrin (cf. Luke 22:63–71), before Pilate (cf. John 18:28–38), before Herod (Luke 23:6–12), and once again before Pilate (cf. John 18:39–19:6). Each of the Gospel writers emphasizes different aspects of these trials, with no one writer detailing all six of the trials. In his account Luke focuses most on the three civil trials, which he narrates in Luke 23:1–25. Note Jesus’ trials before Annas and Caiaphas take place concurrently with Peter’s denials, which is what Luke focuses on in his narration (cf. Luke 22:54–65).

As was noted above, Luke focuses more on Jesus’ civil trials than on His religious trials. However, Luke does give more information about Christ’s trial before the Sanhedrin than do the other Gospel writers. Within Jewish law, Jesus’ trials before Annas and Caiaphas were illegal, as trials had to be held during the day. Therefore, the gathered Sanhedrin waited “until it was day” (Luke 22:66) in order to try Christ. Although this trial was legal in regard to chronology, it was a sham in regard to content. Indeed, the Sanhedrin did ask Jesus if He was the Christ (cf. Luke 22:67), yet they had decided to execute Him before the trial actually began (cf. Matt. 26:66; Mark 14:64). Moreover, as Jesus expressed in His reply, the members of the Sanhedrin had already determined in their hearts to not believe Him, to not answer Him, and to not release Him (cf. Luke 22:67–68).

Application Questions:

1. How could it please the Father to bruise the Son (cf. Isa. 53:10)? How could the cross have brought Jesus joy (cf. Heb. 12:2)?
2. Like the disciples, do you find it difficult to stay awake when praying? How can we overcome this tendency?
3. Why was the crowd of religious leaders not moved by Jesus’ miraculous healing of Malchus’ ear?
4. What are the similarities and differences between Judas’ betrayal of Christ, and Peter’s denial of Jesus?
5. Given Jesus’ peaceful and bountiful ministry, how can we explain the leaders’ hate and their beating of Christ?